Training my scared shiba!!

Comments

• Calia

  May 2009 edited November -1

  First let me state that the haltie is only harmful when not used right. Some halti users also attach a second leash to the collar to serve as a buffer should the dog lunge. I have had no issue with it as has made walking a pull crazy Siberian Husky manageable.
  
  When it comes to fear of things, positive experiences while exposing her to these things can be very helpful. To get an idea of some methods used to eliminate these fears, watching practically any episode of "It's Me or The Dog" can be very helpful.
  
  Some of the methods used are positive exposure and diversion. One method for helping her from fearing people is to have a few human friends just walk past her, dropping treats along the way. Another method is, with the use of treats, maintain her attention on you while scary things such as cars and people.
  
  A method some forum members have used to help with over coming loud noises is playing a cd of similar noises at a low volume and slowly, over the course of days or even weeks, raise he volume.
• sunyata

  May 2009 edited May 2009

  Has your girl had any obedience training? Clicker training is a great tool in not only obedience, but also in helping dogs get over their fears.
  
  Dave's (dlroberts) Shiba, Joey, has had some fear issues with inanimate objects. He used clicker training to help Joey see that boxes are not a threat. Check out the thread regarding this issue, along with the videos here:
  http://www.nihonken.org/forum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2587&page=1#Item_16
  
  I am not sure how you would translate this to animate objects such as people, but I am sure it can be done. Something to try would be to have a few friends come over and give out lots of yummy treats. Or you could take her to a park and sit at a bench a good ways away from the majority of the people traffic and just let her watch. (My two LOVE to people watch) After a while, if she seems calm, you could move a few feet closer and continue this until she is more comfortable being around people in close proximity.
  
  Whatever you do, do not rush her into things. That could cause even more problems. I hope some of this advice is helpful, if not, I am sure someone else will be by soon to offer some other ideas. Good luck, and keep us updated on how she is doing!
• dlroberts

  May 2009 edited November -1

  I echo Casey's advice on rushing her into things. The key to training a fearful dog is to establish trust with them. You want to teach them to look to you for guidance in situations where they don't fell comfortable. Teaching the "watch me" command is a must IMO. Get to know as many of your dog's triggers for fear behavior as possible and preemptively put them in a sit and watch me before they can escalate. Reinforce the behavior with lots of yummy treats (like cheese or hot dogs). You want to reward your dog for two types of behaviors: 1) being brave in novel situations; and 2) looking to you for guidance in situations that are known to be stressful.
  
  Also, with a fearful dog, NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER use any training method other than positive reinforcement. Punishment only perpetuates the fears.
  
  As for the walking, I would teach her a version of the "hide" or "follow" command. First teach her "touch" where you hold out your hand and she will touch it with her nose. Then, gradually being moving away from her while holding your hand down by your knee and ask her to "touch". Once she has that, begin to require her to touch your hand repeatedly before getting a treat. Then, progress to lifting your hand away between touches. And so on. Eventually, she'll walk right beside you knowing there are yummy treats to be had.
• LinkZL

  July 2009 edited November -1

  My shiba is scared of the city sounds and baby carriages that goes by. He runs back into the house when he sees them. I don't know any formal training, but I keep talking to him when he's out there, use positive verbal reinforcement, such as "good boy" and I also go down to his visual field so he sees me when he's scared.
  
  I also slowly increase the amount of time and space that he is expose to. It started with about 5 minutes down in the front steps. Right now, he is still hesitate about going out, so he stay on the steps for a good minute or two before being down to the yard. I also noticed that he's comfort level varies depending on the time of day, he feels more comfortable when it's early morning or evening time.
  
  I hope this helps.
• LisaW

  July 2009 edited November -1

  hey wolfii
  
  The best thing to do for your little shiba would be not to go outside with here at the moment or only at times when there arent any people/things on the street but perhaps shes also afraid of the darkness... She first has to build up trust with you, than perhaps you two are able to master the street.. but you have to be extreme delicate with fearful dogs... using something to choke her or a halti wont help much in her situation...she has to become calmer.. and than you can train with her to encounter the "bad" things...this jumping into the leash etc is a clear sign that your dog has tremendous stress outside..and even inside in your flat because you said she is only "little bit used" to you..so your dog has 24h a day stress and is always scared..thats not healty..not for the body and not for her mind...first you have to work on that she can relax in your home!! If she trusts you and sees that you can handle situations for her she doesnt have to have those fears and you perhaps can go on with the street
  
  Im at work now, so I cant answer as long as I want sorry
  baba Lisa