Nervous Doodles

[Ashleigh, Belle, and Jasper]

I need advice on how to get my two doodles more comfortable around new people and dogs. This problem is probably my fault for not getting them out and about when they were younger.. If my doodles know you, they will cover you with kisses and try to climb up on your lap. If they don't, then they bark and try to hide/run away. Meeting new dogs is a little better than people. If we're at home, I introduce my doods one at a time so they don't gang up on the visiting dog. In public (the one time I tried), they'd bark at new dogs then take off trying to run away. I would love for them to me more at ease with new people/dogs. I'm afraid to just load them up and take them to petsmart or something since they get scared. I don't think they'd bite at all, but having new people run up and pet them makes ME nervous :) .

To add to my problems, my youngest doodle Jasper (9 months) has been diagnosed with cataracts. The vet told me I should expose him to everything I could think of (places/sights/smells/people), so when he does lose his sight he won't be so nervous with his surroundings/experiences.

Sorry about the long post, but if anyone does have any suggestions, I'd really appreciate it!! Thanks!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm sorry to hear this. Does Jasper have to lose his sight? Isn't there a way to remove the cataracts surgically?

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

That was my question as well?

[Ashleigh, Belle, and Jasper]

The vet said he'll eventually lose his sight. We can do surgery, I just have to save up a little while for it. They said it was about $3000. So I figured in the mean time I should really work on getting both the dogs more social since I should have done it a long time ago anyway. 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Karen, yes cataract surgery is available for dogs as it is for humans. It is rather expensive but even if only one eye is corrected at least he could have partial vision. A friend's doodle was recently thought to have cataracts so we did some research on this subject. Finding a veterinarian opthamologist can be tricky though we only have 2 in the entire state of Oregon.

[Ashleigh, Belle, and Jasper]

Haven't made it to the doggie ophthalmologist yet.. Looks like it will be a 2.5 hr drive. Our regualr vet recommended doing both at the same time so he only has to do anesthesia once.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

I would suggest working with them separately.  I have noticed that my 2 tend to feed off of each others emotions and it only makes things worse.  Each dog is fine when it is just me and them but much more reactive when it is me and the 2 of them.   Do you have a friend or neighbor that can come over to work with you?  Ollie is afraid of most people so I often have people just toss small treats in his general direction and eventually he moves closer and closer.  Cubbie will shove his toys in the faces of any new people so he doesn't suffer from those fear issues lol.  When you work with them speak calmly but firmly and don't tell them that "it is ok" because that tends to reinforce their fears.  Start with trying to get each one to just walk confidently through Petsmart and not interact with people at the store.  Once you can get them in there and more comfortable see if an employee would try to work with you a little bit (go a night during the week when they are slow).  Good luck!  Let us know how it goes. 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Have you had them in any sort of training class?  This is really important.  You have already missed the most important window for socializing them which is like prior to 5 months.  If this were me I would start by getting them into some training.  That way your initial nervousness about having them out in public will be done in a controlled environment with a trained person that knows how to handle it.  When you start looking around at trainers talk to them about the situation and see what experience they have with this type situation. 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I think working with them separately is a good idea too. Take each to Petsmart but don't even go into the store yet. Sit them outside the store and let them watch all the activity from a distance. Over time slowly move inward at a pace that matches their comfort level. If they are not comfortable being approached by people yet tell people they are in training and they need to stay on task. It's okay to tell people no and ask them to stay back. Some may be offended but it's your job to help the pups not make some stranger happy. :)

Petsmart was a very busy and overwhelming place for Tara. We started taking her to less chaotic environments first, Home Depot, local tool stores and smaller pet stores, etc. You might find other stores that are dog friendly and start small. In Home Depot the people are not so dog focused and usually just say "hi"to Tara and don't rush up to her like people do at Petsmart.

I'm so sorry about Jasper's cataract diagnosis. I see above that you are already considering surgery some time in the future. It's nice to have that as an option for dogs now.

[BG and Gavin]

I agree with what everyone has said so far.

1. work with them separately

2. go to training class

3.  enlist friends to help

4.  start at a smaller pet store and work your way up

Good luck.  I am sorry about the cataract situation.

[Ashleigh, Belle, and Jasper]

Thanks for all the advice. I didn't even think to work on it separately. I figured they could help each other through it. I see the problem though if one is already acting nervous, it will make the other even more so. Hoping I can make up for messing them up by not socializing them early on. 

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

true that you missed a valuable training period but if you are dedicated to working on it now, I think you will certainly be able to see a lot of improvement.  There are plenty of us that adopted dogs that weren't properly socialized and with a lot of extra effort, we have been able to overcome most of those issues. 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I agree with all the advice you've been given here. Start with one dog at a time, one day at a time. All that you do will help.
I would urge you to seek the help of a group The Doodle Messenger, who have resources that may help you to deal with the cataract situation.
. The Doodle Messenger, focus on helping Doodles and their families deal with canine illness and have wonderful success stories. They have a web site. Write them, please.
I had a dog who quickly went blind, although his was inoperatable, as it was PRA ( retinal
Degeneration), an inherited eye disease commonly found in Mastiffs and a few other breeds.
He lived many years past his breeds expectacy!! Great Dog!
If you can prevent blindness, please do all that you can.