Need help with nervous dog

[TheEquineOak]

Hello,

I've been a HHO member for a while but this is the first time I've posted in here so hi everyone.

We've semi adopted our farmers sheepdog. She's had enough and doesn't want to do the job anymore... although the farmer would joke that she never did want to do the job

She's absolutely fine around me, very friendly and playful, follows me around and she does what I tell her however, she's terrible around my OH. Infact, I've noticed that when she's around men in general, including her owner, her tail goes straight between her legs, she winces and runs away at the first chance she gets.
I know the farmer well and he'd never harm any of his animals but that can't be said for where she came from unfortunetly.

So, my question is, how can I help her overcome this fear/worry? Anyone else with working dogs that have similiar traits? Has anyone rehabilitated a working dog?

Thanks for reading

 

[Dobiegirl]

You say youve semi-adopted does that mean she goes back to the farmer? if so this is tricky. Normaly my advise would be for your oh to feed her, encourage her to come to him with titbits and to groom her. Take her for walks on the lead if she is used to a lead and spend as much time with her as possible.

 

[CAYLA]

If you have not had her long then let her find hr feet at home and become comfortable and settled, ont allow folk, esp men to approach her let her do the approaching otherwise she will never find her confidence.
Find a focus if you can, as suggested a favourite food (high reward) or ball, or squeeky toy, if you ca find a focus this will aid you to get her out of her shell.
Also I would submise she has remained on the farm and not been out in the big wide world, this is something that needs tackling to help her find her confidence.

 

[Leah3horses]

She sounds a sweet dog..To help her with the changes, and what seems like very bad experiences around men somewhere in her past,poor lass...I always use 'Serene Um' tablets when I take on a Rescue type dog, you can get them on Ebay or at Pets at Home..they don't tranquilise or anything, but do help nervous/rescue type dogs adjust to change.

Also good to start them on in October time, ready for the dreaded fireworks.

It's a great idea for your OH to feed her so she starts to connect a man with nice things..but try not to flood her with what she is nervous of at first, it will take a while for her to slowly learn that she is safe. She may probably always feel more relaxed with you and other women than men. I've rehabilitated ex working lurchers,some with more success than others,in relation to how high their working drive was... but if the farmer says your collie never really had the drive to be a working sheepdog (take it there's some truth in his joking about it?)..then she should be easier to adjust to being a pet than a high drive worker. Just be careful around bikes and cars until you know how strong her herding instinct is

Really hope she adjusts to her new life, be prepared for it to take a good few months, up to a year or more before you see progress with the worst of her nervousness..and certain situations or people may always make her nervous..My beloved rescue Dane never got over her fear of golf clubs/men with walking sticks, always had to be on guard just in case as she would want to hide or bolt I had her from age 2 until she passed away at 10, she trusted me implicitly but nothing could ever help her forget whatever horror she had endured in her past, and your little lass might struggle long term with strange men. But I'm sure she will grow to love and trust your OH as much as she can. Let us know how she gets on, pm me anytime if you're concerned.Enjoy

 

[TheEquineOak]

Thank you so much for your replies

It's a bit of a strange situation. We live on a farm, the farmer and his family also live on the farm. The sheepdogs are kept in kennels (large ones at that) down the side of my house. She comes in to the house occassionally but sleeps in her kennel over night.
I spoke to the farmer because I was noticing her around the yard less. We agreed that I was to take on a couple of responsibilities, walking, petting, grooming, cleaning out ect but he still pays her insurance/feed and so on. Hence why she's semi-adopted! We are looking towards fully taking her on though.

She was a bit of a dud to be honest, sold under false pretence and the farmer kept her because he wasn't sure of her future if she were to be sent back. That was 3 years ago and she's 8 now.

She's great on a lead and makes a very good running pal!!

 

[YasandCrystal]

Could you maybe try Zylkene? It's completely natural and an effective calmer - you can get various strengths for cats various sized dogs, horses. The vets really recommend it. You can buy online - ebay sellers sell it, as it has no drug content. And maybe the canine equivalent of the plugin calmer Feliway for at home?
Good luck