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Original poster

My puppy is a wuss. Please help.

48 replies

ahundredtimes · 15/02/2008 11:54

He is frightened of other dogs.

He is a wuss.

What do I do?

In the park bigger dogs come over and sniff and wander off and that's okay. But sometimes a smaller ones come running over and they sort of nudge him about and bark, and he sits between my legs shaking.

Sometimes he lies on his back and whimpers.

Wuss.

OP posts:
Original poster
ahundredtimes · 15/02/2008 11:57

He had a date with 6 m-o terrier last week. He was quite frightened to begin with, but then he played a bit more, but then he found it a bit overwhelming and came to sit on my knee.

Do we avoid dogs for a bit?

Do I need to find him some benign elderly dog who won't bark and push him about?

OP posts:
justjules · 15/02/2008 11:59

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Original poster
ahundredtimes · 15/02/2008 11:59

Yes.

We are going to one in two weeks.

Will that help do you think? Will he not get beaten up by puppies there as well?

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justjules · 15/02/2008 12:00

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bethoo · 15/02/2008 12:01

ahundred- he must be socialised now. how old is he? if he is a pupply socialising on a regular basis will teach him there is nothing to be afraid of. with dogs sadly if they develope fear it turns to dog aggression which is worse, take it from someone withe a dog who fears attacks so attacks first!!

Original poster
ahundredtimes · 15/02/2008 12:02

y y we are signed up to attend.

Will it help jules? Do you think? Could be make or break I think.

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justjules · 15/02/2008 12:02

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Original poster
ahundredtimes · 15/02/2008 12:03

Yes bethoo that's what I said to DH, about fear turning to aggression.

But how to socialize? I mean he sees them in the park, but that's the problem.

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brimfull · 15/02/2008 12:04

aww how old is the wee puppy?

justjules · 15/02/2008 12:04

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magHOOVERlia74 · 15/02/2008 12:05

Please don't stop taking him out to meet other dogs, it will make the situation much worse in the long run.

Puppy classes are brilliant, other puppies may be boisterous but they won't hurt him.

Original poster
ahundredtimes · 15/02/2008 12:05

Oh good. Okay.

He is only 14 weeks old! Poor thing. I told him to confront his phobia's this morning, and it went very well because big old dogs came over and sniffed and that was fine, and he seemed quite pleased about it afterwards and went towards them wagging his tail afterwards.

But then as we left the park a jack russell came over and barked and nipped at him - playfully - and he whimpered and ran to me.

OP posts:
brimfull · 15/02/2008 12:05

there must be a doggy video you could show him...

brimfull · 15/02/2008 12:06

ah well ajck russells scare the crap out of me...they're so unpredictable

Original poster
ahundredtimes · 15/02/2008 12:07

Perhaps I need to find him a book of social stories

I just don't want the fear/aggression thing to happen. Though he isn't at all aggressive at the minute.

He is very amiable and sensitive, and has big paws and floppy ears and likes PEOPLE very much.

OP posts:
magHOOVERlia74 · 15/02/2008 12:08

I know he came back and whimpered but no harm done, he will get used to them.

brimfull · 15/02/2008 12:09

what flavour is he?

foxinsocks · 15/02/2008 12:09

oh poor puppy. I want to scoop him up and tickle his tummy.

If it makes you feel any better, this is happening to the nanny's puppy too so he is off to puppy classes from this weekend lol. He does the shaking thing .

lol at you thinking you have a wuss.

Original poster
ahundredtimes · 15/02/2008 12:11

He's a cocker spaniel.

The thing is when he went out yesterday he practically refused to go in the park. He was all happy up the pavement, but then when he realized where he was going he sat down and got sulky.

Hence, confronting his fears this morning! If it hadn't been for that jack russell it would have been fine.

I am fantastically positive and unphased, and say 'hello' to the dogs and speak firmly. Like a lunatic. I am trying to pass unafraid vibes to him.

OP posts:
brimfull · 15/02/2008 12:11

my dog (old bitch now) doesn't particularly like other dogs but isn't aggressive at all.Just a bit stuck up I think.

Original poster
ahundredtimes · 15/02/2008 12:13

I could do stuck up, easily. It's this 'ooh no, oooh no, oooh no' business that is silly.

I shan't have it.

it's nonsense.

He must sort himself out.

[hands on hips]

OP posts:
foxinsocks · 15/02/2008 12:15

perhaps he's a delicate, sensitive petal

brimfull · 15/02/2008 12:17

He needs to socialise with the riff raff then,and learn to smile benignly when they approach.
I am sure the puppy classes will be the answer,but you must persevere with the park.Do not give in to his neuroses .

WHat's he called?

DualCycloneCod · 15/02/2008 12:17

he cna join my kittens in asertiveness training

CountessDracula · 15/02/2008 12:18

He is just displaying submissive behaviour which is good in some ways, maybe you won't get dominance issues with him!

He needs to go to puppy socialisation classes to get used to other dogs I would say