Painfully shy dog

[Anonymous]

My mom rescued a painfully shy dog a few months ago (red setter). The story it was a hunting dog that didnt make the cut. He is probably 4-6 yrs old. He shows no aggressive or negative behaviors. He spends most of its time sitting in one spot, spooking at anything and everything, and shaking occasionally. It does not like walks, cars, other dogs, new people. The vet put him on Prozac as of yesterday.

Anybody been there done that? Any ideas, suggestions, hope or encouragement?

[Anonymous]

Maybe not exactly the same but our neighbors rescued an older, abused dog. They just let him be and he spent the first year with them upstairs in their room. He would come down to eat and go outside for the bathroom. They lovingly called him their boarder. He is still wary of guests in the house and will stay upstairs when people are over but he ventures out now with just them. Took over a year. I think you want to ignore the symptoms when you can. If you hold, stroke, coddle, whatever when they are exhibiting the signs you hope to dissuade it only reinforces it ( so I have been told.) as mine is shaking in my lap from thunder

[Anonymous]

Our very shy rescue dog came out of her shell dramatically with part time doggie day care in a cageless facility. She figured out what it was like to be a dog again, became confident and much more outgoing.

[Anonymous]

I suggest The book love has no age limit. It is about rescue dogs and how to overcome common issues. Patience and time will also help, of course.

[Anonymous]

Does he like toys, non-squeaky ones? Maybe have a set routine including playing with him everyday, build his confidence and trust.

[Anonymous]

My friends rescued a skittish hunting dog two years ago. She was spooked by every thing, but now has come a long way. What seemed to help her the most was their other dog, who showed her how to act in the house. It just took some time and a lot of love.

We have a skittish rescue, too, and she has been to confidence building classes at Fur Get Me Not in Arlington, which has helped.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My friends rescued a skittish hunting dog two years ago. She was spooked by every thing, but now has come a long way. What seemed to help her the most was their other dog, who showed her how to act in the house. It just took some time and a lot of love.

We have a skittish rescue, too, and she has been to confidence building classes at Fur Get Me Not in Arlington, which has helped.

What kinds of things do they do to build confidence for dogs?

[Anonymous]

My Mom also rescued an extremely skittish dog, although younger. She peed on the floor if you were reading the paper, talked too loud, made a loud noise, etc. I can tell you that it took a while, but she really is the sweetest, nicest, loveliest dog now. It took a ton of time and patience and having other dogs around helped.

[Anonymous]

The prozac will help, but it takes time.

I think if you establish a safe, quiet area, that helps. But it takes time.

I wouldn't do the doggie daycare yet. My dog freaked out with a lot of other dogs around.

First, let the dog get comfortable in the new house with the new owners. Give it a few months of predictable days (i.e. the dog will relax because there won't be a constant fear of being taken somewhere and over stimulated, which is kind of what hunting dogs are put through. The ones who don't make the cut are the ones who usually aren't good with a lot of noise and chaos.)

Setters also tend to be people dogs as opposed to dog dogs, meaning the doggie daycare thing might actually set him back.

He really just needs a few months/several months of a quiet environment. Then he'll start to relax a little. He'll probably never be a very outgoing dog, but he will get used to his people and probably really bond with one person.

[Anonymous]

Thanks this is very helpful and encouraging!

[Anonymous]

Also, Irish Setters are completely neurotic and skittish as rule, so good luck with that.

[Anonymous]

I wonder if he would like a cage of his own where he can go when he wants (leave the door open), where he gets lots of nice treats there and is spoken to nicely when he is being calm in there. My rescue loves her little sanctuary. We even have a blanket over it, so it is like a cave almost.

[Anonymous]

A friend recently brought over a crate. The dog hasnt gone in it, but we leave it open and available.

Also the dog hates walks and won't leave the end of the driveway. Any advice on this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A friend recently brought over a crate. The dog hasnt gone in it, but we leave it open and available.

Also the dog hates walks and won't leave the end of the driveway. Any advice on this?

My guess is that it might be the hunting thing (going outside and away from the house might have meant some kind of hunting exercise with noise and chaos). Just a guess.

Is there a yard? Perhaps at first just having some time out in a quiet yard. Let him settle a little bit.

And then start working with him to do little distances beyond the driveway at a time, rewarded with treats. Try to do it at a time of day or evening when it is quiet out and there isn't a lot of people outside/traffic. The idea is to make it as calm and quiet as possible.

The prozac will probably help a lot with this as well. Don't give up.

[Anonymous]

Good for your mom for rescuing a dog!

Poor little baby...She must have been through so much.

No matter how tough the challenge may be, please do not give up on this doggie! It will take time to get over his trauma, but it will happen.