6 month old pupp petrified of people and other issues

[rubysmama]

I have a 6 month old Douge De Bordeaux (french mastiff.) She most likely spent her first 4 months in a kennel her next few weeks being attacked by a chihuahua. We now have her. She is petrified of people. She also does not want to go potty outside. She has a few times but it can be a struggle. I do know she is settling in she has only been here 5 days. (oh she also does not want to eat. I got her the blue buffalo for large breed puppies). Does anyone have any ideas to make things better for her?

 

[rubysmama]

this is her.

 

[STEVSH]

I would give her a "quiet room" or at least a quiet corner with a covered crate that she can go into and escape to. Put her food and water right by it and just keep a calm environment and no sudden noises for awhile. I've never known a dog to starve themselves to death, but maybe you can entice her with mixing some ground beef/rice in with the food? Make it nice and smelly and appetizing.
Good luck! She sure is pretty!

 

[dmouse66]

Let her get use to people in her own time... dont try 'introducing' her but have people quietly around and ignoring her. She will come up to them/you when she's ready. Once she's comfortable with that you can move forward. Don't try to sooth her when she starts cting nervous as that only encourages the behavior. I agree with Steve... give her her own quiet place

 

[Cody]

Hmm, I say the opposite.
Get her out and socialize as much as possible.
I would get her in puppy class or another training class. If she is food motivated make sure you always have really good treats on you and give them to people to give to her.
The more you cater to the fear the worse it can get. It sounds like she needs to be socialized. It is a lot of work, but personally I would treat her like an amex card; don't leave home with out it

 

[Ellen Sneve]

I agree with Cody. Start bringing her even just on drives to do errands with you just so she sees stuff in general too.

 

[Smart_Family]

I agree with Ellen and Cody. You need to get her out. The longer she's allowed to be afraid and the bigger that she gets the more difficult she's going to be.

 

[northernmastiff]

Yep, I agree with Cody. Get her out and about but make sure that it is as controlled as possible. Don't take her to a dog park for socialization as you can't control what will happen there. Some trainers do drop in socialization classes (not really classes as play dates) and that may be something you could find in your area.

 

[bullyBug]

I work with a rescue that often recommends the book "The Cautious Canine-How to Help Dogs Conquer Their Fears" to their adopters. You can sample it on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Cautious-Cani...Fears/dp/1891767003/ref=pd_luc_sim_01_02_t_lh

 

[Fixer]

A little late to the discussion, but couldn't both of the approaches above be right?

At home, give her a quiet crate with a lot of space to relax, but also take her away from home on socialization missions often, keeping her fixated on you with the treats and not reacting to any of the scary noises and people for a while.

 

[mia]

One thing I will say do NOT coddle her, if you take her out and she's acting afraid do NOT soothe or say calming words to her, as you are reinforcing the behavior. The more calm and confident you are the better she will be. When she does something on her own, like sniff something strange or approach something new, say calmly, "nice" or "thank you" and a special treat. With new foster dogs I drag them all over but in a casual unexciting way, the more mellow about things you are the better for the dog. Give her a special place in the house, all my dogs have their spot, but don't stop your life for her. She is to become part of yours. Don't create a neurotic mess and work her, use her brain, dogs like to do things, make it fun.