Extremely Fearful Sheltie

Thank you everyone!

Marshal is doing much better and both his breeder and handler are surprised by his reactions. His breeder seems to feel guilty, stating she would have never encouraged the placement had she thought this was how he'd react.

He did go to class last night. My trainer, who has a lot of experience with fearful and reactive dogs, was a bit thrown by some of his behaviors. He appears to shut down but not in a normal way. He just doesn't participate. She said it was almost as though he was conditioned to be this way.

It probably didn't help that the other person in the class has a high energy, barely focused poodle who greets incredibly rudely and came into the class barking. However, by the end of class both my mother and the trainer were able to pet him. He still won't take food from other people but will take it from me.

He's doing better with noises, his default behaviors aren't terrible, in that he doesn't run and hide. He will run and then come back to investigate from a distance.

I am going to pick up a Thundershirt but in the mean time, I'm going to pick up one of my nephew's shirts that are too small for him.

I have decided to go back to square one with him, act like I know nothing of his socialization history and treat him as I would a young puppy by introducing one new thing a day. I have a lot of information on puppy socialization that I have handed out during classes to new puppy owners. Our homework for the week is to continue working in the house and bring him to one place.
 
I think going back to 101 makes sense. And yes, the thundershirt as well is a good investment. btw - for this time of year, it also doubles as a coat!
 
There's a book and a video of "Control Unleashed" (sold by CleanRun). I've worked that program with great success with a puppy mill rescue who was a complete basket case when he arrived (now halfway to his Master Agility Championship!). It takes time and patience, but is SO REWARDING when you see a shy, fearful dog blossom.

It's not uncommon to see these traits in Shelties, even well-bred ones. The breed standards says "reserved with strangers," so it's bred in! In some cases, it's more than you want. Puppies also go through a "fear period." I'm sure the trip to you, plus ending up in a strange environment, was part of the problem too. Work the Control Unleashed program. If you can, get to a training class in something (anything); it builds confidence.

Best of luck. Stick with it!

Joanne in NH
 
joanneshelties said:
There's a book and a video of "Control Unleashed" (sold by CleanRun). I've worked that program with great success with a puppy mill rescue who was a complete basket case when he arrived (now halfway to his Master Agility Championship!). It takes time and patience, but is SO REWARDING when you see a shy, fearful dog blossom.

It's not uncommon to see these traits in Shelties, even well-bred ones. The breed standards says "reserved with strangers," so it's bred in! In some cases, it's more than you want. Puppies also go through a "fear period." I'm sure the trip to you, plus ending up in a strange environment, was part of the problem too. Work the Control Unleashed program. If you can, get to a training class in something (anything); it builds confidence.

Best of luck. Stick with it!

Joanne in NH
Click to expand...

Control Unleashed is a great suggestion, and Leslie McDevitt the author has actually just released a puppy version. :smile2:

http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=3080
 
Here's an update on our progress.

Marshal now has expanded his world to 3 safe humans, and 3 others are about half way there. The more I've worked with him, the more I think it's a lack of confidence than actual fear. He does look to me when things are overwhelming and if I give him something to do, like target my hand, he's able to maintain his exposure.

The more he goes out, the better he does. He has been going to training class and last class I was able to keep him engaged 98% of the time. He has went to 2 pet stores, and has went to be evaluated by another trainer. In the first pet store, there were two loud, screaming parrots that startled him at first. After about five minutes of being there, the bird no longer bothered him. We were there for about 15 minutes and then went back outside to walk around. The second time we went in, the door didn't bother him like it did the first time.

At the evaluation, he was again lacking confidence. He was unsure about the trainer but despite being in a new environment, where there were barking dogs (as they also boarded dogs), he sprawled out on the couch next to me and fell asleep.

We have gone to Petco twice now, the first time was overwhelming for him and he couldn't get traction. This time, he was startled by a few things but the longer we were there, the more he settled down. No problems with the floors and he got a bit excited when he saw a yorkie that looked just like my mother's dog.

There were many noises he was initially startled by but is not able to handle well. He still has trouble with the wind chimes in my room. He also seems to be a little bit unsure around buckets. But continued exposure to things is helping.

He's still not 100% but both trainers he has seen thinks that with continued exposure, he will be able to work as a service dog. There seems to be a consensus that it isn't fear, just a lack of confidence.
 
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