Help me :/

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vieshot

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Hi I have a new puppy(I've had many before) she came from a friend of a friend who had her in a tiny room, was skinny, fleas, wormy, lots of rough characters in the house. Not a nice place.

I've had her six weeks, she loves me, loves my mum, tolerates my partner however HATES My stepdad. As soon as he comes in from work she bolts, growls at him if he comes near her. I know it's only growling through fear but after six weeks we have taken no steps forward.

I walk them, mum feeds them, he doesn't have much to do with the dogs as works so much. I just don't know what steps to take to resolve this :/

Help!

Also she's met lots of people, very frightened. I have to hold her collar for them to stroke her on the ground, if anyone new picks her up she wets herself. Again new dogs she's met many however doesn't want to play or socialise, only with my pack.
 
Stop picking her up for a start.

Completely ignore any unwanted or fearful behaviour and ask your step-dad to do the same. If you can, have him walk her instead of you.
 
I don't pick her up. Occasionally if I'm out she will get picked up by one of those unwanted people on a walk. He's ignored the behaviour for six weeks and he's unable to walk her (old old old man ;) )
 
Don't let people pick her up. And certainly don't hold her collar for people to stroke her - it all needs to be on her terms.

As for your stepdad, can he spend some time each evening quietly sitting with/near her with some lovely tasty treat?
 
That's a good idea. At the moment he sits in a chair on one side of the living room while mum and puppy are on the big sofa on the other side. I'll encourage him to sit with mum instead and gradually try and give her some chicken bits. It's just sad to see as she's grown so much in confidence just still finds him terrifying
 
Dont allow people to force their attention on her this will justify her worse fears,get your step dad to feed her if possible and by hand, enrol for a puppy class(ask at your vets) the trainer will give you guidance and it will do your pup the world of good.
 
It will take a long time, our pup was from a recuse at nine weeks old. She had kennel cough and worm problem sp the first six weeks with us couldn't go out the house. She was scared of everything outside the garden fence so we did short walks, up the street and back, introduced her to one new dog at a time. I didn't take her where I knew loads of dogs would be walked so didn't over whelm her.
She didn't want to have any cuddle with me at all she stuck close to my brother but after just ignoring her and sorting the other dogs she slowly came closer and closer and then just went 'oh you are okay then' and she has been fine....so fine infact I woke up this morning to her spooning me from behind and her head on my pillow :/ it's not like she has three huge dogs beds to choose from :D
 
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