[Bijou’s Mom]

Bijou was not socialized during the fear impact stage and is fearful and aggressive towards guest, people on the street, and other animals. He came from a good breeder but she kept him past the 12 weeks for me but didn’t expose gim to anyone or anything outside of her home. So now, we are dealing with severe issues and I just feel so bad for him. We are doing our best to make him feel safe and comfortable and we are seeing slow progress. I am just concerned that I wont be able to travel with him based his reactions to people and that is one of the main reasons I went with a maltese. My first maltese was amazing and I took her everywhere with me.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Has anyone else dealt with this? I have hired a trainer, but she said he may never get completely past the fear. We are working on the separation anxiety now.

 

[wkomorow]

I would check with the local humane society to see if they have a trainer that works specifically on these types of issues. Often they work with local trainers who have a lot of experience with fear aggression. Good luck.

 

[Bijou’s Mom]

Thank you! I found a trainer and had a session on Monday. 😊 She said it will be slow progress, but I have been reading up on this topic and it dosent sound like it will be that hard for a puppy to adjust this behavior. There are so many rescue dogs with worse experiences, I hope this is temporary.

 

[Houdini’smom]

Thank you! I found a trainer and had a session on Monday. 😊 She said it will be slow progress, but I have been reading up on this topic and it dosent sound like it will be that hard for a puppy to adjust this behavior. There are so many rescue dogs with worse experiences, I hope this is temporary.

I had a Pekingese that had that problem and first I worked with him at home on being held upside down and getting belly rubs….being held that way is a sign of submission. I started out by getting her to submit to me with showing her belly and using key words over and over (one or two words only) Once she would relax I would rub her belly and give her treats. I didn’t hold her down too long, just long enough to begin to relax. If your dog is too frightened at first hold him on his side and rub his belly and slowly start to turn him over. This process takes time.
When your dog becomes comfortable with this then you can have people come into your environment (but not into his personal space like where he sleeps) and while you are holding him upside down and using one hand with a gentle but firm grip over the top of his shoulders so he can’t flip over have a person he is familiar with rub his tummy and you both talk gentle easy words that you have been practicing with him. After 10-20 seconds let that person step away and praise him and give him a treat. Repeat this a few times every day.
Once he becomes comfortable with this then you can begin to take him out into public and continue this. My Pekingese would belly up for any stranger anywhere after that as she related people with feel good belly rubs and treats. It was an amazing transformation.
I would have to evaluate how she was handling the process each day. I bred and handled show dogs and would sometimes get a dog that just wasn’t quite ring ready or had the nice social graces that judges like to see. It would take me time to work on them. She was mine and I bought her as a pet and quite damaged psychologicall. But she ended up being the sweetest dog I owned. She brought up my Malshi Nash and he followed he sweet nature.

 

[Bijou’s Mom]

I had a Pekingese that had that problem and first I worked with him at home on being held upside down and getting belly rubs….being held that way is a sign of submission. I started out by getting her to submit to me with showing her belly and using key words over and over (one or two words only) Once she would relax I would rub her belly and give her treats. I didn’t hold her down too long, just long enough to begin to relax. If your dog is too frightened at first hold him on his side and rub his belly and slowly start to turn him over. This process takes time.
When your dog becomes comfortable with this then you can have people come into your environment (but not into his personal space like where he sleeps) and while you are holding him upside down and using one hand with a gentle but firm grip over the top of his shoulders so he can’t flip over have a person he is familiar with rub his tummy and you both talk gentle easy words that you have been practicing with him. After 10-20 seconds let that person step away and praise him and give him a treat. Repeat this a few times every day.
Once he becomes comfortable with this then you can begin to take him out into public and continue this. My Pekingese would belly up for any stranger anywhere after that as she related people with feel good belly rubs and treats. It was an amazing transformation.
I would have to evaluate how she was handling the process each day. I bred and handled show dogs and would sometimes get a dog that just wasn’t quite ring ready or had the nice social graces that judges like to see. It would take me time to work on them. She was mine and I bought her as a pet and quite damaged psychologicall. But she ended up being the sweetest dog I owned. She brought up my Malshi Nash and he followed he sweet nature.

Thank you so much! He is ok with belly rubs and submits to my husband and I. I will try the other methods you mentioned. I appreciate you taking the time to respond. 😊