New pup socialization question

[holicanmc]

I will be bringing home my new pup this week. She is about 4 months old and at the humane society waiting to be spayed and for her shots. Her and her 3 brothers were just brought to the H.S. two days ago and they were given up by people who were very mean to them, according to the shelter staff the people beat them. So, naturally they are extremely timid, up at the front of the run when people are looking at them but the second you open the door they hide in the back corner and shrink down.

Now I didn't want to get another fearful dog but what can I say, I'm just a sucker for the I'm-sad-but-want-to-be-happy-and-wiggly eyes. She had to be carried out to the dog walk area and she was terrified and shaking when put down but it didn't take too long for her to warm up to me. She was most afraid when I was standing and less afraid when I was crouching down and when I sat down next to her she crawled in my lap immediately and began kissing me so that was the end of it, she was going to be mine.

I am hoping since she is still young I can get her to not be so afraid of new people, situations, etc. My gut instinct says to let her settle in here for a few days then start taking her as many places as possible while trying to make it fun (with treats and stuff) but at the same time I don't want to overwhelm her with new stuff.

What do you guys think? Any advice or suggestions on the best way to socialize a pup with no previous socialization?

[Carrie]

Oh wow...that is just so sad. How can anyone be so cruel to do that to a pup? You are wonderful to take this pup on. You have your work cut out for you. At 16 weeks, she's just coming out of the "window" of optimum time to socialize. After that, their little personalities are soooo in place. Further, careful socializing as you describe so intuitively may help somewhat, but it is doubtful that she will ever be completely at ease with strange things and people. But like you say, slow and easy and pleasant....nothing frightening or overwhelming. Do let us know how it goes and I hope for pictures. Kudos to you for saving her and giving her a loving home.

[mrsgrubby]

I am sooooo glad you are saving her. Yes, socialization is going to be very important. I once got a 16 week rescue dog and didn't socialize him. It wasn't very long before he was a fear biter.

Do you know what type of breed she is? If she is small you will be able to hold her and take her places like pet stores etc. If she is larger than I would begin by just walking her around your neighborhood. The sooner you can get her out to see the outsides surrounding of her new home the better.

Also, at 16 weeks she might still be able to sneak into puppy kindergarten class, if not sign her up for a good basic obediance class. But MAKE SURE the instructor teaches with positive reinforcement rather than force. Usually the instuctors at Petssmart use positive reinforcement, or your vet/rescue organization will be able to tell you of a good trainer. You will probably even get a discount for a "rescue" dog.

After that, take her to the park, you may need to "hang back" until she gets used to the commotion, but when she is calm praise her and give her a treat. If she is nervous don't touch her much or give treats. (many trainers have told me that if you pet and coo to a nervous dog you are accidently reinforcing their scaredness).

Another thing you can do is just put her in your car and drive around. Go get gas, go through the bank drive through, go through a fast food drive through, anything to introduce her, (at a safe distance) to new things.

Good luck, keep us posted.

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Kudos for adopting this little one! I agree, socializing her will be the key but it will need to be done slowly. A class would be a great start as long as its a small class.

[Carrie]

Here are my thoughts. Don't take them as the Gospel. But they are my gut feelings about what you've told us already. I think Kit and Raised by Wolves, who are very use to this stuff (in addition to others) will have some great ideas in addition to the ideas the others gave you already.

I'd be leery of rushing her into a class situation at first. If you know anyone with a very, calm friendly dog, maybe an older, tired dog to socialize with, that would be great and just a few people at first. She could have a big set back if things are rushed and she feels threatened or overwhelmed.

Then see how she does with some home training...use treats and gentle cheerfulness and see how that goes. I would warn against making too big of a fuss over her shyness and try to exude confidence...like it's all OK. Look online for confidence building games. One would be a little tug of war, letting her win. There are others. But learning new skills also makes a puppy confident. And rewarding her for little tasks will make her know that she can trust you and at the same time that she does need to earn her keep to an extent. Give her a little responsibility. I'd stay with totally positive methods, no corrections, at least till you know she is fully trusting of you. Even then, they are hardly ever necessary, especially for a super sensative dog, which I'm sure she must be.

Then after a while, see if she's improving with her shyness and fear and see if it's a good time to add just a little more in the way of more people at one time or more than one or two dogs. It will be touch and go for a while, no doubt.

Keep us posted. Best wishes!

[holicanmc]

Thanks so much for the advice. The shelter staff told me she was a german shepherd/something I can't remember mix. It's funny how different her brothers look, one reminds me of an australian shepherd, he's white with black splotches. I have a couple pictures from yesterday. My mom went with me so I could have an extra set of hands introducing my resident dog Cheyenne to possible new dogs.

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Isn't she adorable, rolled over for a belly rub right away, then when I was talking all high-pitched baby talk she got all in my face for kisses.

I was hoping to get her in the next set of obedience classes which should start in 7ish weeks at the kennel club here. Cheyenne is currently taking the CGC class but it just started.

I'd stay with totally positive methods, no corrections, at least till you know she is fully trusting of you. Even then, they are hardly ever necessary, especially for a super sensative dog, which I'm sure she must be.

I'm glad you brought this up because I was wondering what I should do regarding corrections in obedience (obviously once she had developed trust in me) because my resident dog is very "hard" and I imagine the new pup will be the opposite and "soft," perhaps a stern "NO" would be enough for the new pup.

If she is nervous don't touch her much or give treats.

I have to do this with Cheyenne but it is very hard, when she is scared all I want to do is comfort her but I know it is not the best thing to do. (Cheyenne has made great progress in the last few months, she's 2 y.o., but Petsmart is still terrifying,and if the vet gets in her face watch out, but at least we can walk in the park now without her trying to run away when a jogger passes us)

It seems like the consensus is that slow and steady is the way to go with my new one. I am being optimistic in hoping she will gain some confidence pretty quickly. She's young and I think puppies have the ability to bounce back quickly if given the right circumstances. Once again, thanks for the advice and don't hesitate to add any more .

[Cassiepeia]

She's beautiful!!

Cass.

[annie_so_pink]

She is sooooo cute!!!

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Beuatiful girl!

[Carrie]

She is really beautiful and sweet looking. I don't think you need to be stern with her at all. She's probably going to be very eager to work with you, given motivation and reward for the behaviors you want. You can distract her away from things you don't want and show her what you do want and reward. If she doesn't get a reward for certain things that you don't like, those things will dwindle away. But you'll have to keep her from self rewarding. For instance, if you decide you don't want her on furniture but she doesn't know any better and she jumps up on your couch, instead of saying, "NO," just show her gently to get off, saying, "off" in a normal, but positive, firm voice. The minute she is off, give her a yummy treat and praise. Show her where she is allowed to lie down, her own bed and reward when she goes there. Always be consistant and don't let her stay on the couch because that would be a reward and would confuse her. Soon, she will find that being off the couch is more rewarding than being on and you never had to scold or be harsh. Emphasise the reward for good behavior or when she obeys.

Even dogs which are considered hard or stubborn respond well to positive method training which is based on operant and classical conditioning. It's a matter of finding out what the individual dog is most motivated by and rewarding with something the dog really likes. If there is something that the dog reeeeeeeelly likes and wants, he'll jump through hoops to get it and be very excited about learning, as opposed to a dog obeying because he wants to avoid being scolded or having his collar yanked. Clicker training is gentle and very, very effective.

http://www.clickerlessons.com/index.html

I have to do this with Cheyenne but it is very hard, when she is scared all I want to do is comfort her but I know it is not the best thing to do.

Right. If you make a fuss over a dog when they're reacting with fear toward something, they'll think that you think that that thing is indeed something to be terrified of and will think that you're rewarding them for that fearfulness and that they should feel that way. If, on the other hand, you act confident yourself and like it's no big deal, that will rub off on the dog. They're so intuned to our moods. Just ignore that shyness and when the dog is looking more brave or is OK and calm with something, then dump on the praise, treats and attention. That's what will make them associate the scary thing with the good stuff and will begin to eliminate that fear.

If going into Petsmart is terrifying to the dog, then that means that the dog is not yet ready for that big of a fearful thing. Try taking the dog someplace smaller and quieter and getting her OK with that first before going onto the bigger scary places. Take baby steps. Get the pups use to one thing before moving up the scale to the next, bigger thing. That goes for socializing as well as with training skills. Start small. Get that down pat and then move up a notch.

That's neat that your other dog is in the CGC class. My Dobe, Lyric just got his certificate. Yeah!

I wish you all the best with your new pup. Hope some of these ideas help.

[flyndog]

She is a sweetie!

[holicanmc]

Well, she's home! And barking her head off in her crate And Cheyenne and her don't seem to want to get along right now. Since it's just me here I'm not sure right now how I'm going to safely introduce outside of crates and everything, especially since she was just spayed yesterday. So, things could be going better but at least the wait is over. And it seems that she is already a little less timid than when I met her, I didn't have to carry her to the car, she walked voluntarily .

[Carrie]

I bet she'll settle in just fine, given a little time. Hopefully Cheyenne will get use to her when she sees that she's not being ousted, but gaining a friend. I guess, to sum up my thoughts would be: easy does it, let her take her time and don't worry. LOL. Can't wait to hear how it goes as the next few weeks go by. It is good that she is seemingly a little less timid. Maybe she knows that you are her savior. They do, I think. This is just wonderful.

[Raised By Wolves]

I'm glad to hear she's finally home with you!

All good advice given here already. The main thing I tell people with a formally abused or fearful dog, is to act calm and unafraid so your dog feels safe with you. I also recommend having people who are meeting her for the first time, to just kind of "hang out", and not push themselves on her, if she acts shy of strangers. Tia wouldn't even take a cookie when I first got her, but would be okay around anyone who was relaxed and didn't pay too much attention to her.

Keep us posted on how it's going!