I'm bringing home a 3 year old black lab. She was used for breeding is not spayed. She has had 3 litters. I met her today she is very frightened and shy. Would not even come to me. The lady that took her in from the breeding place says she was like that when she got her. She is afraid to get in a car, afraid of children, basically afraid of everything. She has had accidents in the house. My.question is has anyone dealt with an issue like this and is it possible for me to change her.
Welcome to the forum It is definitely possible to help dogs who have had this kind of past (may have come from a puppy farm). She may always be quite a fearful dog though. Fear is hard to un-learn so it will take a huge amount of time and an even huger amount of patience. What kind of skills have you got in training or rehabilitating a dog? When you think of your ideal life with a dog, what kinds of things do you hope to do?
I'm told the lady that used I'm told the lady that had her only has several other dogs. As far as experience I've raised 2 labs from puppies to the age of 9 (she had stomach cancer), and my last one was 11(Addison disease).
Hello and welcome to the forum Lc. I am sorry that your dog is frightened. I have not had a dog like this, but I am sure there is someone on the forum who can help you. Have you been in touch with a dog behaviourist? I don't know where you live, but am sure there will be one in your area. What is the name of you dog?
Hi @Lc and welcome to the forum. It does sound as if this poor girl has been used as a breeding machine in a puppy farm - 3 litters and only 3 years old . From your description it sounds as if she has never been in a house or car, met children etc. her fear is based in a lack of socialisation from birth. The good news is that she can be helped with patience and lots of positive reward based training. I would highly recommend that you make an appointment with a good behaviourist who can devise an action plan with you for training on the most effective methods with this poor girl.
Hello and welcome to the forum. I have two anxious dogs, which is a bit different from fearful, but can present in similar ways. I would absolutely get a positive method behaviourist in to consult with in the early days. They will give you some tactics to use going forwards. I would advise from the outset giving her a space she knows is hers, away from the hustle and bustle of the house, and that you never approach her in - this may be a covered crate, a blanket under a table or similar. Don't try to encourage her to interact with you, as this can cause stress rather than alleviate it. Simply ignore her, try to keep your body language soft, avoiding walking directly towards her, which is very threatening. Avert your gaze and keep your body turned side-on. Turid Rugaas book, On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals may be worth a read. She suggests some things you can do to communicate with your dog through their own language. I know it's difficult to ignore a dog when we want to help them, but the key is to let any interaction happen at her pace. By all means, keep some tasty treat about your person (roast chicken is generally adored by dogs) and drop a piece near her, without comment, whenever you walk by. It's too difficult to give a full plan without seeing her in the home environment, so that's where a qualified professional will be able to come and help you out. Just be aware that she may be very different in the first couple of weeks to how she ends up when she has settled in.
It will take a lot of time and patience. I hope you're able to help her and she learns to relax and trust you. Do keep us posted.
Hi @Lc, welcome to the forum, sounds like a great thing that you are going to give this dog a proper life. I really look forward to hearing how things progress with her. When does she come to you?
I rescued a 13 month old German Pointer, he had lived his entire life in a kennel that looked out onto a brick wall, his bed was a bare barrel and he had a bucket of water to drink from. When I went to fetch him he was in the house for the very first time and was sitting petrified under the table. I put him in the car with my other two and drove the 50 miles home. I put him in the utility room and left the door open so that he could choose where he felt most comfortable, he slept in there the first night with the other dogs and the cat. He eventually would venture further out, I put no pressure on him at all, he would pee in the house though, I think that was more marking. He loved to be outside for a walk, so that is where we bonded, I took him to the top of one of hour hills and when he went one way, I went the other, gambling on the fact that I would be his only security and it worked. Gradually over time, he became less shy and was the most beloved gentleman of a dog, sadly he had epilepsy and died aged just 8 years. So yes, I think if you take it gently, your dog will eventually find her own way.
Good luck with your girl x I have rescued a few times , and the best advice I can offer is to keep relaxed and give her lots of space . Don't force fuss on her , let it be at her pace and slowly she will begin to trust , and then a bond will be built . Thank you for helping this girl , please let us know how it goes xx
This, 100%. This is going to be absolutely essential for this dog. You can have more than one 'safe place' for her - make one of them a portable thing that can be taken out places with you. When she's in her 'safe place' (crate, blanket, hidey hole...) make sure she's not disturbed by any human or dog. Ever. When you're out with her she might designate something or somewhere as her safe 'do not disturb' spot..let her do that and respect it fully. You are going to get really good at reading doggie non-verbal communication.... Just be patient, observe and always give her the benefit of the doubt.
Welcome @Lc from Hattie 10 years and our rescue boy Charlie 6 years. What a wonderful thing you are doing rescuing her from what has been an awful life. You have had such great advice and I really want to wish you good luck. xx
Brilliant advice. We have had 3 rescues, and always use this approach. We have been very lucky with ours, and I hope you are with your new girl. She is going to need a gentle hand.
