I need help!!

jettieb1 · 08-20-2007, 05:41 PM

I just bought a Black lab., she is gorgeous, the last of her litter. she is approx. 16 weeks old. I got her saturday and since bringing her home, she doesn't play alot at all and seems real timid and afraid, her favorite spot is behind the couch. We have been showing her lots of love and was wondering how long it may take for her to get used to us and not be afraid.

***Cassiepeia*** · 08-20-2007, 06:34 PM

It'll take a while. This is a very scary time for her, she's been taken away from her family and her home and placed into a strange place with people she's never seen before.
I'd ignore her for the most part. If you give a timid dog affection (comforting it) you are rewarding it for being timid (basically telling it "yes, you should be scared").
So ignore her, don't crowd her or stand over her or get in her face trying to coax her out, and let her come out and interact with you in her own time. Don't be in a hurry, the more you try to rush it the worse it will get. She needs to trust you and see that she is in a safe place.

When she does come to you of her own free will, give her plenty of quiet affection and maybe a treat (if you wish...but don't over feed them). Reward her for being confident enough to approach you.
You could, when feeding her her main meals, use that as a way to call her over. When she gets to you, tell her how good she is and then give her the food and walk away and let her have her meal in peace.

I don't know how long it will take, each dog is different. A few days, maybe a week...maybe two.

Cass.

briarlow · 08-21-2007, 06:00 AM

Unfortunately she's missed a lot of her potential time for being with a new home, 16 weeks old is old for many breeds to go to their new home and especially for a Lab.

There are people on here who will be able to advise you better than I on what you should do to help the transition.

***Rivsky*** · 08-21-2007, 03:23 PM

Cass has given you some great advice. I just wanted to add that I'm pretty sure I remember reading that a lot of puppies actually go through a second fear period at around 16 weeks - which could be another factor in why your pup may be really timid right now.

jettieb1 · 08-23-2007, 04:28 AM

Thanks for the feedback, she is doing a little better.

08-20-2007, 05:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
jettieb1 Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	I need help!! I just bought a Black lab., she is gorgeous, the last of her litter. she is approx. 16 weeks old. I got her saturday and since bringing her home, she doesn't play alot at all and seems real timid and afraid, her favorite spot is behind the couch. We have been showing her lots of love and was wondering how long it may take for her to get used to us and not be afraid.
jettieb1 Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0

08-20-2007, 06:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
*Cassiepeia* Chihuahua Mum Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 8,281 Blog Entries: 9 Rep Power: 284	It'll take a while. This is a very scary time for her, she's been taken away from her family and her home and placed into a strange place with people she's never seen before. I'd ignore her for the most part. If you give a timid dog affection (comforting it) you are rewarding it for being timid (basically telling it "yes, you should be scared"). So ignore her, don't crowd her or stand over her or get in her face trying to coax her out, and let her come out and interact with you in her own time. Don't be in a hurry, the more you try to rush it the worse it will get. She needs to trust you and see that she is in a safe place. When she does come to you of her own free will, give her plenty of quiet affection and maybe a treat (if you wish...but don't over feed them). Reward her for being confident enough to approach you. You could, when feeding her her main meals, use that as a way to call her over. When she gets to you, tell her how good she is and then give her the food and walk away and let her have her meal in peace. I don't know how long it will take, each dog is different. A few days, maybe a week...maybe two. Cass.
	__________________ Say NO! to animals in pet shops. Rescue a friend instead: Petfinder Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Book Club ~ Blogs ~ Art Classes ~ Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner. Last edited by Cassiepeia : 08-20-2007 at 06:38 PM.

08-21-2007, 06:00 AM	#3 (permalink)
briarlow Join Date: May 2006 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 521 Rep Power: 64	Unfortunately she's missed a lot of her potential time for being with a new home, 16 weeks old is old for many breeds to go to their new home and especially for a Lab. There are people on here who will be able to advise you better than I on what you should do to help the transition.
	__________________ My dogs aren't my whole life but they make my life http://www.freewebs.com/briarlowsspanishwaterdogs

08-21-2007, 03:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
*Rivsky* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Australia Posts: 3,774 Blog Entries: 6 Rep Power: 141	Cass has given you some great advice. I just wanted to add that I'm pretty sure I remember reading that a lot of puppies actually go through a second fear period at around 16 weeks - which could be another factor in why your pup may be really timid right now.
	__________________ As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

08-23-2007, 04:28 AM	#5 (permalink)
jettieb1 Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Thanks for the feedback, she is doing a little better.
jettieb1 Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0

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