I am in the process of adopting a dog who has obviously had a rough past. I was told that she is afraid of a lot of things, especially a broom (I’m guessing her previous owner used to hit her with it, which is really sad). She loves playing, she loves attention, she loves having her belly scratched, she loves cuddling up next to you. But she doesn’t ever like to be left alone. If you leave her alone outside, she will tear up the yard. If you leave her alone inside, I was told she is much more calm, but she will chew on a toy or something like that if left on the floor (does anyone know why that is by the way? Destructive outside but not inside?). I was told she has never shown any aggressive behavior but when she is scared (and she is, a lot) then she will kind of sink back and cower in a corner.
I am willing to work with her because I hear she is such a sweetheart and she just needs time and patience, which I have plenty of. I’ve successfully trained my family’s dog (just basic obedience such as sit, come, stay, out, down and some cool tricks like wave, high fave, roll over and speak) so I have experience with training but never with a scared dog. So I was wondering how different it might be. Also, I was thinking of trying crate training with her because I hear it gives the dog a sense of security. Would you recommend it?
The dog is a 2 year old dalmatian female.
@Marie Anne: I’m glad to hear that your dog quickly warmed up to you and your home. Like you, I could never say no to my dog on a couch or bed. My dog with my family (I miss her so much but I moved out for college a couple of years ago so she stays with my family now) always used to sleep next to me, cuddle next to me on the sofa. I never used a crate on her. If I do decide to crate train the dalmatian, it will only be for short periods and only for the purpose of training. Once she has overcome her fears and feels comfortable, there will be no need for the crate at all because I enjoy having a dog with me on the couch or bed. I heard it’s not good either but I have trained my other dog not to get on unless invited on to the couch so that way she knows she isn’t boss.
Crate training is a good idea and it can be her den, open all the time so she has a place to go and closed if you need to leave her and at night.
Treat her no different from any other dog, google NILIF and use this from day one, it will start to build her confidence and reduce her anxiety and promotes you in her eyes as her pack leader who she can trust and rely on, treat her like a puppy so lots of experiences, sounds, sights, smells etc as you would a pup.
This training encourages a dog to think and not react and a fearful/anxious dog can be just as dangerous as an aggressive dog……not too much loving, cuddling, fussing and petting only when she deserves it as this praises the dog and encourages it to continue to be fearful as she is getting praised for feeling like this, also stop feeling sorry for her, it gives off weak energy and a good pack leader can’t be weak, her previous experiences can’t be changed by you feeling sorry for her only strong leadership and training can do that.
Good luck you should end up with a lovely dog…..I have a 15 year old BC who was much the same when I got her and she is soooooooooo willing to please a perfectly behaved, happy, healthy dog
Children are adopted.
Animals are bought & sold
There’s *nothing* you’ve mentioned that’s any different from any other untrained dog
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Dalmations are very energetic. Try the obedience training to give her confidence. For the crate training, leave the door open, so she can go in and out when she wants to. Don’t confine her to such a small place just yet.
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Vet assistant.
First of all, thanks for adopting. You’ll find rescues are your shadow until they feel confident enough to go off on their own. Having had 7 shelties, 2 of which were quite fearful, I found spending time with them, praising them highly for every thing they do right and ignoring things you don’t like seeing them do, creates that confidence quickly. Dogs like your Dal usually are the ones that want to please you, so any negativity only makes them cringe. The outside problem is no doubt due to the insecurity issue, which will pass with time. Leave her out only long enough to potty, then bring her back in and eventually you’ll find her wanting to be out longer and longer.
Shyness (cowering) is simply a lack of confidence with some breeds more prone to this than others.
Thanks again for giving a needy dog a "forever" home.
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Breeder and obedience trainer
we also adopted a dog and obviously she had a rough past also.
before when she sleeps she was like crying while sleeping sounds like having a nightmare.
and when we brought her out she couldn’t even walk on the street.we always needed to carry her because she wouldnt walk.she was too much afraid of anything.hid herself where we couldnt see her. what we did was we just filled her with love.always hug her, and we brought her wherever we go.like going for a long travel like 2~ 3 hours travel. we never left her alone i think that’s the most important thing.she was also always afraid what if we leave her on the street.all of those were gone already.she is confident now.she can walk and run on the street properly.she shows herself now much more than she did before.we didn’t even know she could dance..you just need time to heal your dogs past.our dog has been with us for almost a year now
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hi there,
we’ve had tia, a collie ross whippet, for 6mnths now, like your dog she wasn’t treated well. The first people that had tia had her from a puppy they had her for 7 mnths and kept her locked up in a tiny room. she was also hit and had things thrown at her. a lady called mandi took her from this and she pent 3 months house breaking tia using a crate. tia was never taken by a shelter by the way. when we met tia with shep she was very quiet but when we brought her home she came right out of her shell
all I did was give her lots of loving and cuddles and by the end of the first night she was cuddled up on my lap on the sofa. we don’t keep our dogs out or off of anything in the house, they have free roam and are allowed to sit on the bed or sofa. this may not be good (some trainers say you should keep a distance) but I found this has worked well with tia and she behaves brilliantly. It takes a lot of time and patience, and lots of encouraging words, like when I used to hold my cup of tea, tia would cower away from me and shake- now she comes over to have a sniff!
I use a very calm voice, like that you would use for a scared child, i’m not sure about Dalmatians, but I would look up the history of the dog breed to make sure you can give your best to help the dog.
I will leave you in peace now, and good luck with your dog- although tia has been hard work I would not have changed it for the world
and remember… dogs can tell if you are a loving owner just give plenty of cuddles and kisses and never force her to do anything, or leave a special place- for tia this is under our bed. it is her safe place and is very important to her. I would not recommend a crate as it can make the dog feel like it is not part of your family. She will find her own safe place in your home as long as you let her!
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Crate training is a good idea and it can be her den, open all the time so she has a place to go and closed if you need to leave her and at night.
Treat her no different from any other dog, google NILIF and use this from day one, it will start to build her confidence and reduce her anxiety and promotes you in her eyes as her pack leader who she can trust and rely on, treat her like a puppy so lots of experiences, sounds, sights, smells etc as you would a pup.
This training encourages a dog to think and not react and a fearful/anxious dog can be just as dangerous as an aggressive dog……not too much loving, cuddling, fussing and petting only when she deserves it as this praises the dog and encourages it to continue to be fearful as she is getting praised for feeling like this, also stop feeling sorry for her, it gives off weak energy and a good pack leader can’t be weak, her previous experiences can’t be changed by you feeling sorry for her only strong leadership and training can do that.
Good luck you should end up with a lovely dog…..I have a 15 year old BC who was much the same when I got her and she is soooooooooo willing to please a perfectly behaved, happy, healthy dog
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Animal behaviourist
you should watch the dog whisperer. cesar is great. here’s his website on phobias and fear… http://www.cesarsway.com/articles/Ask%20Cesar/111?cat=3 be sure not to encourage her fearful state of mind by petting her and talking to her when she is fearful. when you talk to her or pet her when she’s fearful, she thinks you’re telling her that being fearful is ok.
i think crate training is great for her, just don’t push her too much too fast and scare her.
i also think it’s great that you’re rescuing a dog from the shelter and one that has problems. it’s nice to see people like you exist. if there were more people like you, there would be a lot less animal euthanized. you’re an amazing person to help this dog. hope you two have a wonderful life and hope she realizes that you’re trying to help her and she stops being fearful. the poor dog, i hope the people went to prison, i hate idiots that do that.
hope i helped in some way!
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Getting her a crate is a great idea, just make sure to leave the door open so she can come and go as she pleases. It will take time for her to get used to it. When you leave, turn on the TV or a radio, the noise will make her feel like she’s not alone.
Training a scared dog can be difficult. They’re afraid you’ll hit them if they don’t do it right. This is the only time I ever use treats when training. Start with sit, when she does give her a treat.
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Successfully rehabilitated a neglected APBT
I would definitely try crate training, and also recommend just time & patience & trust-building.
I adopted an abused dog and you just have to move slowly, be cautious about making alot of noise that might startle the dog, speak slowly & gently and keep your tone calm.
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Destruction outside vs less/none inside….dog feels less in control outdoors alone then "safe" in her house. Also, frightened dogs can use chewing the way a kid sucks his thumb…it is comforting and reminds them of nursing. Crate training will be very helpful to making your dog more confident. Also, dalmations are high level of activity dogs…it is key that you do a lot of exercise…not just the walk. I am lucky enough to live near the beach. My dog goes for a run almost every morning. I do have to get up more than an hour earlier but I do, and we both are better for it. If your dog is tired, he will be much happier and easier to work with. You must address each fear as it happens. Anything that makes your dog cower, you must spend the time and introduce them to it slowly. Allow them to approach and sniff…even if it takes a lon g time…my boy had that with garbage cans at night, but a little work took care of that. Just put in the time and I know you and your dog will overcome….good luck.
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