new lurking person

[4dogmom]

HI< my name is Terri and I have been lurking for some time now. I don't post much and don't know how to do pictures. But I love reading and had to sign up to see your babies! We are owned by 2 Danes and 2 pits, but we also have my son and his dogs here since his house burnt down last week, so add a lab - a rott - and another pit.
Life is different with 7 dogs in the house, but it is just until his gets re-built.
Most of our fur babies are rescues, and I have a question on my Dane rescue. She was left in a basement and not socialized at all, her mom was skin and bones. Anyways. Shyla is about 9 months old now (got her at 4) and she is afraid of everything. She hates men and has bit my vet, me, and my sons girlfriend. Out of fear, not aggression. Any advice to make her feel safe? She sleeps on my bed and I love on her all the time. But things scare her and when she is cornered she will bit, first she pee's and poop's.

[Good Hope]

Hey Gypsy, Jackie, Shana, BabsT,....come on LGD people...let's help.

Hi, I'm Deena, and we have a Kuvasz, an Eskie, a cat, and 3 horses.

Since I am new to owning a BP, I don't really feel qualified to give advise. I do know that your pup needs lots of socialization, and that it's not to late. I know some one here on the board will be able to make suggestions or point you in the right direction.

Good Hope
(Deena)

[ZooCrew]

Hi and welcome to BPO.

My name is Chris and I have a husky/shep Keiko, and a great dane pup Gunther.

Yes, it sounds like she just needs to build up her confidence and work on her socialization skills.  I might suggest enrolling her in an obedience class.  They work wonders with building up socialization skills and confidence.  A dog is never too old to go to a beginner's class.  If you can, I would try to get her into a puppy class......... ...she might not feel so threatened if everyone is smaller and younger than she is, although I don't know if you would be able to do that as they usually have age limits on them.

Another thing I might suggest is just getting her out into the world.  At her own pace, of course.  One of my favorite things to do with my dogs is take them down to the beach and we just sit and watch the people go by.  I might suggest taking her to a park away from the sidewalk and just sitting with her so she can get used to different kinds of traffic.  Gunther was and still is afraid in many new situations, not quite as bad as your girl, but from my understanding it is in the breed to be big chickens.  But you can certainly help to build her confidence some.

I'm sure someone else will have much better advice.  Good luck with her and all the pack.  I hope your son can rebuild soon.......... .......it sounds like a full house.   

[brigid67]

oh that is too bad....poor baby.  Hmmmm...well no expert of course.  But just create a really safe place for her.  I don't know if you have a crate.  But I think that it gives scared shy babies a place to go when they are feeling overwhelmed.  A place of their own.  Willow is a little fearful of men.  I take her out to as many places as possible with treats.  when people want to pet her I always make her sit and then give them treats to give her.  It has helped. 
Timmie

oh - welcome to BPO  I have a 5 mos old dane - Willow, 2 poms - Irie and Gunner, 2 teenagers, 4 sugargliders, 2 cats, and 1 gerbil

[Kiahpyr]

Welcome! I have a 7 month old great pyrenees named Kiah, 3 cats & 2 bearded dragons. I'm sorry I can't help much with your puppy. Kiah loves everybody. I hope your son gets on his feet soon.

[4dogmom]

Thanks for the info. I should have said, Shyla is a Dane, the pits are big babies. And yes I do have crates for them, (take up the whole dinningroom, ha no table and chairs there) I will try to get her out more. She is afraid of the leash but when I take another dog with me she will go along.

[Anky]

HI My name is Ang and I have a Dane that was locked in a shed till he was 11 weeks old.  He had severe fear issues and we've been working so he's MUCH better now.  The best thing to do is expose her to everything.  And don't do too much at a time.  When you walk her, don't let people pet her but have them stand there and talk to you.  Sanity (My Dane) even now might duck away from someone trying to pet him, but if they ignore him he becomes obsessed with them.  Above all DO NOT PUSH HER.  Do not force her to let someone pet her.  If she acts uncomfortable make sure that what ever's causing the discomfort is taken away.  Does she have a buddy?  Sanity does AWESOME if he's with one of his dog friends.  He's still very nervous around tall men, but it just takes baby steps.  You have to get her trust first so she knows that you won't let anything hurt her and she doesn't have to defend herself.

Ang

[henrysmomma]

Welcome Terry,

My name is Rose, I am owned by two chihuahuas...P into and Jalapeno (don't ask why I like to name my pets after food ) and Henry, my one year old English Bulldog. Technically I do not have a "big paw"....yet, but this group has been very welcoming and informative and I am sure you will love it here!


Thanks

 

[shangrila]

Hi Terri, Welcome to BPO. My name is Heather and I have a St. Bernard named zoey.

As far as your fearful pup, the only thing you can really do is socialize. Since she has bitten, I would do it in baby steps. Start just by taking her on walks; if somone can pass by without her getting upset, give her a treat. The treat will re-inforce the positive experience, and more positive experiences she has had, the less fearful she will be. Also, don't let strangers pet her, at least not at first. When you feel that she is ready, you can help ease her into being pet by different people, but also make sure that she approaches them. If someone asks to pet her, tell them to wait and see if she is willing to go up to them; if she won't go up to them, she is not ready for them to pet her, and that will only add to her fear.

[GYPSY JAZMINE]

Hello & welcome!...I'm Chelle & my big pawed guys are Samson & Pippin...Both are Great Pyrenees...Sam son wasn't socialized at all when we got him at 14 weeks...He never got to the fear biting stage but he was well on his way...I just socialized him every chance I got to desensatize him to the things he was afraid of which were about everything...M y vet was very leary of him to say the least when I first took him there...Make sure that whenever he shows wanted behavior in situations where he is afraid to make good things happen...Treat s & praise work wonderfully... The 1st thing you should do if you aren't already is to get him out there &socialize him...I am thinking that because he is already at the fear biting stage you might strongly consider consulting a behavioralist. ..You want to nip this problem in the bud now before he becomes older & more set in his negative behavior...Ple ase keep us updated on what you are doing with him & how he is responding.