anti OH

kadeshi · #1 18-05-11, 12:56 PM

i know when you get rescue dogs that they come with past issues,some are known,but others can show themselves when situations happen.like merlot,she was badly beaten,and petrified of men.(later we found out she didnt really like jack russels,but thats another,if not costly story)but we worked around it and eventually she was the OH best buddy.
now bruja is the same if not worse,shes really timid when hes around,growls at him,and hides behind me when hes in the room.she just panics at sight of him.and if anything shes too clingy with me.just wondering if anyone has experienced the same and how they came over it.

wolfman · #2 18-05-11, 01:00 PM

Sorry, can't help you as I haven't experienced it myself, but I really feel for you. It's a tough situation. Hope things work out for you..

Stuart · #3 18-05-11, 01:08 PM

I havent experienced it either, but if your other half stays paitent Bruja will start to come around,... if he doesnt try to fuss her too much, but tries with a treat now and then, even talking to her from across the room,..all these kind of things can help, if its done slowly and not overpowering

Jazz, my Black dog was beaten by a man,.. she came to us not liking men,...its a slightly different situation I know, but I went out of my way to find male `victims` who were willing to have me walk around them,.etc, etc,..and eventualy Jazz came around,...and now she is fine

jesterjenn · #4 18-05-11, 01:14 PM

I've no experience of this I'm affraid, and well done on rescuing

What I would do in this situation is just get your OH to randomly drop treats around the house when Bruja can see him, and let her curiosity kick in.

I'd not encourage him to try and get a fuss out of her, but to sit still, and no eye contact in the same room, and let her investigate if, and when, she is ready to.

Would she accept your OH more if you were to pass the lead to him and get her excited about the walk (something else to focus on)?

Jude · #5 18-05-11, 02:09 PM

You need to take a step back and let your OH walk her (with you and then on his own, on lead) and feed her her meals. At other times he should ignore her and not try to fuss her but should offer treats only when she is comfortable to be in the same room. She will come round but it needs to be taken slowly and she should not be put in a position she is not comfortable with. Will she play with toys? If she likes playing with a ball he could throw them for her - best to have two or three so that she does not have to come too close to start with.

Nanny Ogg · #6 18-05-11, 05:31 PM

When i'm walking a dog for the first time, and I go in and the dog gets nervous, I tend to sit or lie down on the floor in a relaxed position with a treat in my hand. I avoid eye contact completely, and talk in a low voice. I let the dog investigate me and build up confidence until they're ready to go out. Takes anywhere from 10 mins to 2 hrs. It's really important not to startle them at all whilst they're investigating you.

Not sure if it would help with ur dog tho, as these tend to be dogs without severe trauma in the past.

kadeshi · #7 18-05-11, 08:50 PM

thanks for suggestions,will try tomorrow.i understand patience,but i can see him getting very disheartened that she wont even be near him.after merlot went he was adamant that we wouldnt get another puplet,even i thought i wouldnt,well not for a while(hurt too much when she went).but i persuaded him.anywaywill take things even slower,have tried a few of them,but shes a mammys dog at the mo,