I have read all about how you must expose a puppy to lots of situations so they get used to them, but what happens if they aren't socialized as a puppy? Can an older dog be socialized or will they always be shy around new situations?
We just got a rescued three year old dog who came from a backyard breeding situation. Not a puppy-mill, where she would be totally issolated, just a small home breeder. So she is used to the dog door, normal house sounds, and women and men. But she's never been around a baby, dogs bigger than her (she's a med. spaniel) or basically anything that her origianal owner didn't have in her house, you know?
I don't know what to do she is so meak and shy. She's been here for a day and a half and she hasn't eaten, has barely had any water and has only peed once. She just seems afraid. She is nervious around my young daughter, which is the worst. At first she barked when DD came close to her but now she just sortof arches her back or tries to tuck behind me. I try not to comfort her when she is like that because I don't want to encourage it. I let the dog lick some yogurt off DD's fingers and that seemed to work a little.
I also have a big dog. Again, at first the new dog barked at her but we took them for a walk together, both on leash and after about 20min they both calmed down. (I think we'll try to do this everyday) But back in the house she walks close to the wall when my other dog is around and certainly doesn't want to play.
She's only three, I was expecting a medium-activity, courious, type dog. Will she always be like this because she missed that early socialization? What can I do to help her 'come out of her shell?' I've got some books in the library about older dogs but they all talk about getting your new dog used to your routine or helping with 'unwanted' behavior like counter cruising or jumping. She is just shy and seems so unsure of herself! Do you think an obedience class would help? Is she just not a good fit for our young, busy family? What would you do?
We just got a rescued three year old dog who came from a backyard breeding situation. Not a puppy-mill, where she would be totally issolated, just a small home breeder. So she is used to the dog door, normal house sounds, and women and men. But she's never been around a baby, dogs bigger than her (she's a med. spaniel) or basically anything that her origianal owner didn't have in her house, you know?
I don't know what to do she is so meak and shy. She's been here for a day and a half and she hasn't eaten, has barely had any water and has only peed once. She just seems afraid. She is nervious around my young daughter, which is the worst. At first she barked when DD came close to her but now she just sortof arches her back or tries to tuck behind me. I try not to comfort her when she is like that because I don't want to encourage it. I let the dog lick some yogurt off DD's fingers and that seemed to work a little.
I also have a big dog. Again, at first the new dog barked at her but we took them for a walk together, both on leash and after about 20min they both calmed down. (I think we'll try to do this everyday) But back in the house she walks close to the wall when my other dog is around and certainly doesn't want to play.
She's only three, I was expecting a medium-activity, courious, type dog. Will she always be like this because she missed that early socialization? What can I do to help her 'come out of her shell?' I've got some books in the library about older dogs but they all talk about getting your new dog used to your routine or helping with 'unwanted' behavior like counter cruising or jumping. She is just shy and seems so unsure of herself! Do you think an obedience class would help? Is she just not a good fit for our young, busy family? What would you do?
has useful information about rescue dogs.
