Posted by Doreen Simpkins
on February 26, 2009, 9:09 pm, in reply to "Nervous rescue dog"
Hi Clare,
It's great that you realise that it will take time and effort to fully rehabilitate your dog, but with regard to her "fear" of cycles there is someing fairly simple and effective that you can do to help her get over this fear. I would get a push bike situated in a corner of the garden, and when she goes out discretely watch her reaction. AS you say she is building up confidence in her new home, so if no fuss is made ( that is your body language is not telling her there is something to be worried about.... keep your movements slow and calm!)then she will come to accept the presence of the cycle. Then, the next step would be to get someone she is used to sitting on the cycle, then riding it, slowly, then just outside the house, etc etc....gradual process building up her confidence. Some of this may very well be due to lack of experience not having seen cycles before and finding their speed a bit frightening,or alternatively she associates someone on a cycle with negative treatment? She is also still such a baby, and at the age of 12 months may very well be going through what is called " a fear period" where they are more fearful, but the main thing is to gently deal with it, to stop it becoming a permanent problem. Do let us know how you get on.
Doreen www.haveahappyhound.co.uk
--Previous Message--
: We have rehomed a collie cross rescue dog
: around 12 months old who we know was left
: tied up and beaten, then abandond outside
: shops where she was taunted by 'youths'.
: Her progress is slow but we are seeing
: improvements. However, despite clalm
: talking to as we walk along if she sees
: someone on a pushbike see is very
: aggressive, barking and growling wildly
: which then carries on should we see anyone
: walking, minding there own business
: with/without dog. I can only liken it to
: getting more and more wound up, even
: stopping and stoking her in a grooming way
: for a while and talking soothingly still has
: no effect, she only calms when she returns
: to the safety of her new home. I am
: paitent and know this is a long haul, but
: maybe I am approaching things in the wrong
: way?? Your thoughts would be most
: appreciated.
:
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