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? asked in PetsDogs · 8 years ago

I have a Jack Russell, who has recently started acting really scared for no known reason?

We already have a Jack Russell, and we decided to get him a little companion to keep him company for the future whenever we weren't gonna be home. So we've got a little 1 year old Jack Russell female, we've had her for about 2 months now and she has been so great with everyone, and the other doggie. They get on really well!

Though for the past two nights she has been acting really strange, she has been shaking and hiding whenever my brother is downstairs, although he has been trying to be nice as possible to her she has been acting so strange.

She was a little rescue pup, as in her first home was with a man who kicked her down the stairs whenever she was only a few months old. We think it might stem from that, but I don't really know what to do. I would love to keep her, and help her get over her fear of men but my mother doesn't think it's worth while.

Any advice would be lovely. Thanks.

Update:

Maybe my question part was wrong, as the reason may be known. Though I don't understand why it hasn't effected her before. As she was always a lovely hyper puppy before the past two nights.

1 Answer

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  • 7 years ago

    I would start with a vet check. Then start all over introducing the brother

    In the beginning, man will completely ignore pup - no eye contact, no approaching, no touching, no talking.

    Man should enter rooms sideways, lady of the house should let puppy know that man is arriving so pup isn't surprised.

    At first only the lady will hand or toss treats to the dog. See the below article for research on why the dog should not be forced to approach the man for treats:

    http://blog.mysanantonio.com/latrenda/2012/02/coax...

    Use desensitization and counter conditioning. i.e. man stands 100 feet away, lady gives treat, man leaves. Next time, Man tries 95 feet, and so on. Always stop the exercise while pup is having a good time.

    An even better way is found in Grisha Stewart's "Behavior Adjustment Training" where the man stays still from a great distance away, lady walks pup towards man, stops at a comfortable distance (maybe 100 feet, maybe 500 feet), then runs away in the other direction. Each time, lady and dog can try getting a little closer but not so close that the dog becomes scared. That was just a simple example. Much more detail is in the book.

    ...

    After that goes well, Man continues to ignore pup. If pup decides to approach man, man can toss a treat behind pup. This is a two fold treat. The gets a tasty treat, plus relief from pressure. Man can also toss a treat then walk away - once again relieving pressure.

    It can be months or even a year before man should be allowed to touch the pup. And then only if pup requests being touched or petted.

    Before petting, start with handling exercises:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AElTVoIPlOw

    Also man must be aware of how he approaches, touches, socializes with pup

    Always let pup approach but if he has to approach, don't do it directly, walk in an arc - his side to the pup's side.

    Don't lean over the pup, don't hug the pup, don't pet on top of the head. More on socializing:

    Correct way to meet a shy dog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpwOTXLpXaE&feature...

    Don't offer a hand: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOm5nuMVOvg&feature...

    Don't get in dog's face: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjtCJqxlKJk&feature...

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