I have a 2 year old Chihuahua who is very timid. I know her lack of socialization has to contribute to it (her previous owner did not socialize her when she was a puppy and poorly took care of her). She gets very scared around other dogs and growls out of fear, and gets very scared around new people. She’s even scared to walk on a leash, and does not like to participate in normal dog activities. What can I do to help her?
Timid dogs can only process so much at once, so baby steps. Get her used to the leash in your house first, put a short leash on and let her run around with it for 10 minutes at a time, use food rewards. Then short leash walks along the same route for at least 4 weeks, she needs time to get used to the same things. If she sees something that scares, don’t comfort, this says that there is something scary, instead tell her not to be silly and give time to look and sniff.
Tell visitors to ignore the dog when they first come in, and when looking at the dog to look at her shoulder. Save eye contact for when the dog is more relaxed and confident
Finally, think in terms of baby steps, and having the new dog become a full-fledged dog way down the road. The first 4 months or so just get him used to your house – routine noises, routine schedule, routine whatever. This will be quite enough for him to absorb. Think of it as setting the foundation for all the great years to come, when he will be mentally healthy and ready and eager to learn whatever you want to teach him.
Tags: chihuahua
Be patient and keep at it. The more she is out with other people and dogs the more she will get used to it. Just be careful and watch her…don’t let her get too overwhelmed or upset because that will only make things go downhill. Slowly get her used to it.
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sounds like a full time job well first treat her like a dog not a wounded soilder dont cuddel the fear or agression…mark it as a NO and move on…put the leash on her and let her walk around the home with it on when you put it on give her a treat..almost all dogs dont like to walk on a leash for the first time cheese was my best friend in training….with the dogs you may or may not be in the dark with that at 2 years old she may just be stuck in that way…socilazation should be kept to a safe place and with older people at first gradually working teh way to children when you are 100 persent sure of her reactions…give treats to every person who asks to pat her say you CANT pat her yet, but you can give her this treat..explaine shes in training..eventually she will associate new people with treats..and so on…good luck,,
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well first get to know her and take her out for supper one night and buy it a treat, take it out to a movie and play some video games with it.. i recamend halo 3.
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Okay, you can play with her more often with high jumping energy activities, just try to get her pumped. try doing it out side in a backyard or so. that way she’ll have a little outdoors and will not be too afraid of playing. Do this a lot. Every day a little harder. Then, maybe give her a dog size thing. Something that moves, a toy remote race car might work, play with her and let her chase it or let it chase her. have fun, with something that moves. If she doesn’t like don’t force her just occasionally let her play with it until she gets accustommed to it. Once that happens take her to a park with your friend’s dog. And try. If she is still timid let her out with some dogs. The leash you can try it indoors for a while until she brings out enough confidence for outside. But try to do most outside cause if you’re trying to make herr not timid the best is to do it outside.
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Timid dogs can only process so much at once, so baby steps. Get her used to the leash in your house first, put a short leash on and let her run around with it for 10 minutes at a time, use food rewards. Then short leash walks along the same route for at least 4 weeks, she needs time to get used to the same things. If she sees something that scares, don’t comfort, this says that there is something scary, instead tell her not to be silly and give time to look and sniff.
Tell visitors to ignore the dog when they first come in, and when looking at the dog to look at her shoulder. Save eye contact for when the dog is more relaxed and confident
Finally, think in terms of baby steps, and having the new dog become a full-fledged dog way down the road. The first 4 months or so just get him used to your house – routine noises, routine schedule, routine whatever. This will be quite enough for him to absorb. Think of it as setting the foundation for all the great years to come, when he will be mentally healthy and ready and eager to learn whatever you want to teach him.
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