Suddenly nervous dog, any advice?

[Goldsilverbronze1]

Hullo

I bought a typically friendly breed deliberately as I wanted to eventually train her to be a therapy dog, visiting care homes.

She was attacked by a swan about 3 months ago but over the last 2 weeks she's started to shrink bsvk and hide from strangers wanting to touch stroke her (they've all asked permission).

I've got her booked in for a confidence and resilience course in September with the Dug Trainers that I use.

Just wondering if anyone had any experience of this and had managed to overcome it?

I'm so saddened by this, buying a friendly breed and ending up with a nervy girl; it can't be a nice state for her to be in.

I took her out to a dig friendly restaurant last night as part of increased socialisation for her, to see if that helps, and she's perfectly settled but just shrinks into me when someone approaches. 🥲

How old is she? What breed? Any instances of strangers being a bit rough?

Sorry I meant to add those details.

Aged 18 months, not spayed yet due in September. Last season was January and I guess it could be due again soon, wondering if that can be part of behaviour change.

No negative interactions with strangers at all.

No trauma with friends family, she's very loving.

Only the swan incident but that was a while ago.

She’s still quite young, and her being near season could be part of it. Other than that, and the training you plan to do, it might just be part of her personality. Dogs are a lot like people, some absolutely love attention, others are a bit more choosy.

My pup (well, she’s 2.5) is a Beagle, and they’re well known for being super friendly. She is, but on her terms. She’ll happily approach people, but is just as likely to turn away if someone approaches her and she’s not interested.

My parents have a 9 month old Golden, and she’s scared of everything and everyone. Like that, no trauma, no bad experiences, it’s just how she is. Super friendly to those she knows well, but won’t go near strangers at all.

Hmm - lots of dogs don't actually like strangers coming over and touching them. Remember - just because you've given your permission, doesn't mean your dog has given her permission, if that makes sense.

Personally I would stop letting strangers touch her unless she deliberately goes over and asks them for attention. If she's nervous and people keep invading her space, it's just going to make her worse. The last thing you want is for her to start being fearful of people.

I also think you may need to accept that she's not suitable for being a therapy dogs - many dogs aren't. It's a big ask for a dog to be happy to be sociable with complete strangers and to sit there and be fussed by them, after all.

I would get a vet check, sore ears, small amount of pain can makes dogs back away from people - get stroked my ears hurt etc. Could easily be her second season too.

Give her space dont force anything. Let her watch from a distance.

Dont be persuaded to get people to give her treats (which is what often happens) just let her be and make her own decisions to approach or to stay away

Not all dogs are cut out for therapy work - some (possibly most dogs) would rather just have some peace and quiet.

I would row back on allowing people to touch her right now; she's clearly not keen, and forcing the issue is only going to make things worse.

Mine is a rescue who would barely let me touch him in the early days, and would actively avoid strangers if they tried to pay him any attention. Woe betide you if you tried to pick him up.

In the end, I stopped strangers from touching him in all circumstances - I still do when on lead. That led - over time - to him feeling like he could occasionally accept affection from strangers. Still on his terms, but knowing that he had a choice made it ok sometimes. He'd be the world's worst therapy dog but he will sometimes let strangers give him a bum scratch when he's off lead.

Consent is important!