Canine Behavior Rescued dogs

Question
I have just gotten my first rescue dogs as a foster person.  The dogs (two)are cocker spaniels, approximately 5 years old. They have obviously been together a long time. They were abandoned, severely neglected and possibly physically abused.  They are loving and shy.  They love to lay in my lap together with my arms tightly around them.  However, their bodies do not relax and they will not look me in the face or eyes.  They push their heads against me or look away from me.  They seem to crave touch.  They seem to prefer my arms tight rather than being petted or stroked gently. They had eye infections and scrotum infections (which seem quite painful to them, one of them tried sleeping standing up from the pain).  I was able to help with the pain, but they are so shy, only eat if I hand feed them and run into their shared crate often.  They come readily when I call them.  They have no obedience skills but listen attentively and obviously communicate with each other and consider what I say together.  They try very hard to please.  I do not know the specifics of their past so cannot address anything in particular.  I really liked your answer to the last person about the built up stress and the techniques to help them manage it and build confidence etc.  Do you think the techniques you have outlined would work for them too?  I also have an 18 week old cocker puppy, who is happy and well.  The difference in the dogs' behavior is striking. The young cocker would like to play, but they don't seem to know how, or aren't ready for this yet.  They will not chase a ball or take a treat or a chew toy from me.  I would like to work with all three together but it is not working well because of their reluctance to participate.  I can work with the two until they are ready to include the puppy.  They get plenty of excercise.  They have a fenced yard to play in.  I do not let them out there on their own but talk with them and walk around and show them things.  I also walk them on leash together and seperate several times a day.  Please help.  Your approach seems the most logical I have seen in a long time.

Answer
Hi, Karen,

Thanks for your question. I'm glad you like the logic of my ideas.

Dogs need to have two questions answered: "Am I safe?" and "What do I do with my energy?" Your dogs aren't sure about the first question, and as a result, can't even entertain the second one yet.

The first thing you need to do, though, is stop comforting them. Yes, it makes them feel better, but it also prevents them from learning how to feel better on their own. Think of it as keeping someone in a wheelchair when what they really need is get and go to physical therapy. Granted, these dogs do need SOME physical comfort, if only just to feel that you're not a danger to them. But go easy on that stuff.

The other things you're doing are excellent. When you let them roam around the yard, and show them things, I would imagine that at some point they start sniffing, correct? That means that their hunting instincts are operating, albeit at very low level. Praise them constantly when they show any kind of predatory motor patterns: sniffing, stalking, chasing, etc. That will do them the most good.

Since you've read one of my other answers, you might want to read through several that have my recommendations for resolving similar issues with shyness.

#1 - Pushing Exercise

Use your hand feeding of the dogs to build their confidence and drive. Here's a link: http://tinyurl.com/3balu6

#2 - Walk Them with the Younger Dog

Walking several dogs together creates feelings of camaraderie. They need to feel that the other dog is safe to be around. Once they can feel comfortable with him (or her), they may start playing together.

#3 - Find Ways to Jump Start Their Prey Drive

If you can get them to chase you, or even chase a tasty piece of chicken, you'll have stimulated part of their prey drive. Here's another link: http://www.tiny.cc/jumpstart

#4 - Let Them Socialize with the Younger Dog

After you've walked the three of them together for a few days or so, let them all loose in a safe area and see what happens. They may still run away from the other dog. They may try to hide behind your legs. They might snarl and snap at the pup. Praise them (vocal, not physical praise--"Good doggies!") for any sort of actual interaction they have the other dog, whether you think it's positive or negative. You're not rewarding them for bad behavior. You're encouraging them to do whatever's necessary in order to feel safe. Don't push it, though. Think of yourself as facilitating the possibility of friendly contact. Don't force things.

#5 - Be Like a Papa Wolf

When it's time for the young wolves to leave their mama and the den, and enter the scary world outside, the papa wolf leads them from the den then, just when they're ready to run back to mommy, he rolls over on his back and lets them jump on top of him and bite his nose. This is a tremendous confidence-builder. You have to start slowly with these dogs, of course. They'll be suspicious of just about everything you try to do to bring their playfulness to the surface. If it were me, I'd do this when they're really, really hungry, and use some juicy bits of chicken as a lure to get them to put their paws on top of my chest, etc.

It's going to take a while, but with the hand feeding, the group walks, and the constant praise, the papa wolf exercise, I hope you can make these guys start to feel safe enough to play with each other, then with the pup, and finally with you. Once they feel safe enough to play with you, the rest is gravy.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any further questions.

LCK