Nervousness and Timid

[Sam, Risa and Archie]

Hey Everyone, 

So Archie has always been a nervous nut and very timid, but in the last few months its been more than normal.  He is always nervous especially with large objects.  He always turns away when you come close (especially strangers). Also, when we put a jacket on him, he stands there like a statue and refuses to move as if the jacket is some sort of poison.  

Also, he is nervous and cannot sit down normally in the car. If you put the window down he gets even more nervous.  I feel bad at times, but I am not sure what there is to do, if anything at all.  He like hunches over weirdly in the car and leans against seat.

Any suggestions or ideas? 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

How old is Archie?

[Sam, Risa and Archie]

Archie is exactly a year old. 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Here is one view from Cesar Milan: http://www.cesarsway.com/training/dogtraining/Rehabilitating-a-Fear...

I googled nervous and timid dog and quite a bit info came up.

[Sam, Risa and Archie]

Yeah, saw this before.  I am just wondering if anyone else had experience with their dog acting like this time to time. 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

I, personally have not.
Enzo's Breeder did an incredible job of socialization...and when we got her at 8 weeks, we continued to bring her everywhere possible. She had the normal timidness of new sights and sounds, as all pups have, but over came those quickly. At 9 months, she rarely shows fear of anything, yet she is very submissive with other dogs.

[Sam, Risa and Archie]

Yeah, I mean Archie's breeder was great with him. He was 1 of 11 in the litter and always was with other dogs and animals and people, but just a nervous nut lol.  Especially in the car and at night outside. We live in the city so there are many sites and sounds lol

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

My Oliver has NEVER been fond of car rides and he ALWAYS stands as well.  He pants and stands the whole time, he would poop and puke in the car too.  He grew out of the pooping and puking after he was one but to this day he is still is very nervous and he will be 4 in June.  

I think what would help is to make the car ride a POSITIVE thing like giving him his fav. toy or slowly re-introduce him to the car buy just sitting in the car without going anywhere.  I know your neighbors will think you are nuts but..maybe go sit in the car with him for 5 minutes and extend the time then start going around the block etc. etc.  I think the more you work with him and the more he is exposed and connects "good" things with a car ride he may get use to it.

[Sam, Risa and Archie]

Its funny you say all this because we have done most of this, plus we always act so excited when going to the car and he's really smart too so when I say "lets go to the park" or "lets go to daycare" He's always so excited and literally drags me to the car. So when he knows its time to go somewhere that involves the car he's excited, but once we get in he's completely nervous until we get to our destination. Sometimes when I bring his bed in the car and lay it on the back seat he's comfy and is able to lay in there without being nervous, but otherwise its awful. He has had many many car rides too, so he's used to it.  

Also, Archie has issues jumping into the car. My girlfriend and I have jeeps, but they aren't too high plus he's jumped in like once or twice.  We are unsure how to teach him to jump in. We've tried treats and all.... 

[Deborah Brown]

Charlie stood up in the car all the way from Chicago to Hilton Head - a 2 day trip.  He would occasionally sit but it was rare. Luckily, he outgrew the car problem!  Many dogs worry about strange objects.  I let mine get as close as they are comfortable and then move away.  Don't try to force him but if he wants to give it a sniff, that's good.  I think this is something he will outgrow as well as long as you don't compound the problem by forcing him to get near something that is scary for him.  Respect his fear.

I have two reactive doodles so I guess I would choose a timid dog that turns away from people over one that barks and goes crazy.  Does Archie have any leash reactivity toward people or dogs?  

When Archie turns away from a person, he is giving a calming signal.  He is telling you, he is a bit worried and not to approach.  You can encourage him to approach a person instead.  Ideally, the person should sit and squat instead of standing over him and not make eye contact.  (I know there are many times when people need to remain standing.)  Let Archie sniff the person.  If he will take treats, you can try "treat, retreat".  It is a protocol that Suzanne Clothier developed.

http://hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Play-the-Treat-and-Retreat-Game-with...

http://nodogaboutit.wordpress.com/2013/09/29/treat-and-retreat-some...

Basically, you throw the treat then back up a step.  The dog must approach the person to continue.  If Archie is pretty good with people, first throw a treat, then hand feed one. The idea is for Archie to gain confidence and feel comfortable approaching people.

[Sam, Risa and Archie]

Its mostly at night when its dark and he can hardly see people or they have their hoods on that he gets very nervous and defensive.  Also, Archie is stubborn as heck so when dogs come up to him and he's playing the minute the dog leaves or we walk away he goes and bites on the leash. He also does the leash biting when we are on our walk home.  He's so smart and knows were heading towards the house, so he starts to bite the leash because he's stubborn and likes long long walks lol. 

[Deborah Brown]

I just read through your replies from last night and have to smile at how much Archie reminds me of Penny.  She also does the leash biting thing.  For Penny, it is a way to channel anxiety.  When Penny came home as a pup, she took over the house.  She seemed strong, stubborn and determined.  Sometimes these dogs have more trouble adjusting to the normal fears that crop up with adolescence.

You can't change Archie's personality but you can help him cope with fears.  Since he is just one, he will likely outgrow the worst of this.  Just be sure that you don't push him into situations that he can't handle.  Don't force him to confront strange objects or people that he is worried about.

You can work on building Archie's confidence.  Many people get their dogs involved in dog sports such as agility, rally or nose work for this reason.  Dogs thrive on having a job.  If you don't have time for that, just playing some games like "find it" or using a puzzle feeder or working on "trick" training can be good.  We often don't challenge our dogs intellectually enough but they enjoy the bonding time and develop self confidence from problem solving.

[Sam, Risa and Archie]

Thanks Deborah! Yeah, Archies leash biting after he does his "business" or when he knows were on our way home after a walk is totally out of stubborness and the fact that he just loves the outdoors and hates when he knows its time to go back home.  I will have to try and work on this with him.  His nervousness and fears in the car and stuff like that I hope he just grows out of, but we shall see.