Spooky dog!

[Moobli]

Zak came to me from a working dog kennel down South two weeks ago today. He is a lovely dog and is now happily living in the house along with the other dogs. He spent the first 8 months of his life living in kennels and so I have been pleasantly surprised at how clean he has been. Not one accident in the house. He is confident, outgoing and friendly in and around the farm and with the house dogs and with hubby's collies.

However, the issue I have noticed with him is that he is quite spooked when away from home. I am guessing he hasn't been exposed to very much at all in his short life and although he is fine with people and traffic, a bouncy golden retriever gave him a real fright in the woods and he legged it all the way back to the pick-up with Yogi and I in hot pursuit That was a lesson well and truly learned and when we are away off the hill now, I don't let him off lead.

I am hoping that the snow stays away and I am going to get him exposed to as many different situations, people, dogs etc etc as I can. I have enrolled him in a dog training club which starts in mid January which should also help.

I took him down to the beach at Dunbar today, which is a haven for dog walkers on a crisp sunny day, like today and he did well.

None of my other dogs (GSDs and BCs) have ever been spooky like this and so any other advice on what I should do to help him successfully overcome this would be welcome.

I wouldn't class him as inherently nervous particularly, but more curious but unsure.

[Stuart]

Kee is part working line, she was breed in Police kennels, but was deemed too small for Police work, so was given to a family who kept her in a cage for quite some time, before I got her

When she first came to me, she had not experienced anything,.. she hadnt seen water, grass, towns, traffic,.. nothing that wouldnt fit into a crate

So I know that it can be hard work for both dog and owner in this situation,.. the only difference is that I dont remember Kee ever being `spooky`

Its just a case of doing as you suggest, and exposing him to as much as possible,.. Kee also went to classes, not because I wanted to,..the class was an hours drive away,.. but in her case she needed the exposure that a class gave her

[Moobli]

I have emailed the breeder to get her take on it, but from knowing where the kennels are situated, I would say he is well used to people and traffic, as well as other dogs in close proximity (ie in the surrounding kennels) but perhaps isn't used to the sort of situations he is finding himself in as a family pet.

As I say he is mega confident and outgoing at home - even with people and other dogs that he doesn't know up here, but take him to the woods or the beach and he seems on edge. Thankfully I don't think he has a bad bone in his body and so he is unsure of certain situations but not fearful or aggressive.

I am not particularly a fan of indoor based dog classes either, but do feel he would benefit from the socialisation. I wish there was a Schutzhund club close enough for me to take him regularly, but we may be stuck with obedience and agility - as well as tracking/nosework at home.

I keep forgetting I have only had him for two weeks as well, so I am sure that he is just getting used to the changes.

[Moobli]

Just had a very helpful reply from his breeder so I will try what she is suggesting and take it from there.

Funnily enough she has suggested putting off the indoor classes until he has bonded with me and is more used to the changes in his life - so that is something I am going to think about.

[J&J]

Jones was similar,

Outside of the kennel environment he was nothing but a nervous wreck, and spooked very easily indeed.. A snail farting at 100 paces was enough to send him into flight mode...

The breeder is probably right with holding off the training for a bit longer, this will get him more used to the environments around you, the woods beach etc...

It took us 3 months to get Jones confident enough to start working on going to the park, then another 3 months to progress to being able to take him training..

Take it nicely and quietly, use a long line just in case he gets spooked and goes into flight mode.. You'll get there

[Moobli]

Thanks J&J. I am using a long line and will keep exposing him to new situations in a positive way. I have asked the trainer if I can hold off going to club until March, and that is fine.

It is strange really, as he is supremely confident in and around where I live, and in the house. Not afraid of the hoover or TV etc, which I thought he may be.

I guess it is just a huge change being taken to a new home at 8 months of age, having only known one home since birth and it will take time for him to bond to me.

We will get there

[LindaM]

Hi

I hate indoor training classes, never been to an outdoor one mind! but I find them noisey, stressful, too many dogs even in the largest hall, the wooden floors slippey for dog paws. I'm sure with your experience it will all come right

Lukey went to 2 puppy socialisation classes, one training class and then I gave up - it was full of yapping shepherds and he isn't that vocal.

[Moobli]

You are right about so many training clubs held in town/village halls up and down the country I know the lady who runs this obedience club though and hopefully it will be well run and not just a free-for-all with yappy, lunging dogs (as so many are!). There will be a maximum of 8 dogs per class and all training is positive. She also runs an agility club and is very experienced. I will go along and watch a session before taking Zak in March just to make sure I am happy with it all.