Nervous/depressed cocker spaniel

Question

Sophie   QUESTION: Hi! Sorry if this is a bit long, I just wanted to give you as much info as I can.

I recently adopted an older (the vet thinks 7 or 8yo) cocker spaniel from a rescue shelter.  Sophie was lovely and affectionate when I met her, but since bringing her home she's been very timid, shy and seems depressed.  She's still affectionate with strangers but seems to startle really easily with me.  I'm really sad because I want her to be happy!  

She will sometimes follow me around the apartment but if I turn around (even with a high happy voice) she startles and runs away with her head down.  When I come home she doesn't come to greet me, even if I try talking to her with a happy voice.  She will stay on the couch and when I approach her she shrinks back.

It's taken 2 days for her to take treats from my hand.  Previously I would have to put the treat down and step away.  I was scared I'd never be able to train her! She doesn't seem to really play or anything either.  She hasn't taken any interest in chew toys, balls or plush toys.  I'm not really sure how to interact with her (I had a border collie growing up so this is very different for me!).

I think I've only seen her tail wag once and that was when I was just about to take her for a walk.  I take her out twice a day but not off-leash as yet as I'm still working on her recall.

I take her out every morning but this morning she stayed shivering miserably on my bed and wouldn't move until I put the collar on her (it seemed to snap her out of her 'depression' if you can call it that!).

I've only had her for 3 or 4 days so I know it's early days yet, but I just wanted to know if this is normal behaviour or if there's anything in particular I can do to make her more comfortable.

ANSWER: Sopie is indeed scared and that's because she's been dumped by an owner and frightened by the Rescue.  It'll take at least two weeks
for her to calm down.

I'd like you to try something I think will help.  Put her collar and short leather leash on and keep her with you in the house (to the extent you can).  Even when you're busy, leave the leash on and let her drag it around with her.

And don't force things - let her come to you and get used to her new surroundings.  It's good she's following you around - just let her do that without paying too much attention to her.

The exercise with the leash is called "umbilical cord" and very, very often makes a dog feel safe and connected.  Just connect her to you but again - not a lot of attention or chat.

Do that and write back with her reaction.  Then I can offer some other suggestions.
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Delores!  THanks so much for your help before.  Sophie is a lot better now - her little stumpy tail has been wagging much more and she's certainly gained a lot of confidence since the first week I had her (we're now into week 4).  I had thought she might be a much older girl initially, given that initially she didn't move much and spent most of her time sleeping, but now I'm seeing she's definitely got spark and life in her yet!  (had mixed feelings of bemusement and disappointment when I caught her chewing up a decorative button on my bedspread - she let herself into my room while I was out - well I've learned to lock my bedroom door from now on!)

I'd like to know if there's any chance (given she's a little older) that I can train her to stop getting on my furniture.  I had never scolded her for being on my furniture because back then, the simple act of picking her up off my couch was causing her to shake and pee (she's ok with me picking her  up now).  I felt bad so eventually I just covered everything with bedsheets but now that she's a bit more comfortable and confident, I'm wondering if I can start reclaiming my furniture again?  She has two beds that I have put on the floor that she seems comfortable chewing and sleeping on, just that whenever she can, she prefers the couches!

I don't necessarily have a problem with pets on furniture, but I want it to be on my terms, not hers - I want her to ask to be invited up, not just take flying leaps up onto the couch before I get a chance to get there (or, as the case is at the moment, jumping up and playing on there when I'm not at home).

Today before going to work I put things on my couches so that she can't get up on them while I'm out - would you have any tips for me?  I can also understand if it's not possible - I can see how it's unfair for her - 3 weeks after jumping all over everything to suddenly be cut off from it, plus she must previously have been a couch dog.. so I'll understand if you think I'm asking too much!

Thanks again

Jacelyn

ANSWER: So nice to hear Sophie is regaining her confidence :)  And yes, of course you can teach her to get off furniture.

Put a short leather leash on her and when she's on the couch, command "Off" and gently pull her off the couch.  Praise & reward.  Lots of praise!!  Then "invite" her up on the couch again and repeat.  Always be calm and especially with Sophie, use a gentle voice but still "firm".

It won't take more that a few days for her to understand.  But, be aware she'll probably get on the sofa when you're not there :)

And Jacelyn, she needs regular exercise.  It's very important for all dogs, but especially seniors to get at least a good half hour walk daily.  And what are you feeding her?
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Delores!  Yes, she's getting at least 2 half hour walks a day plus some days I can get home during lunch for a (short) 10 min walk and on weekends I try and spend as much time with her as I can, so she'll get an extra hour or two at bigger parks or the beach! A couple of evenings a week we meet up with a couple of my friends who have dogs and we do a big walk together (she loves being with other dogs).

Still nothing off-lead as yet becuase I don't trust her recall (took her to an enclosed park as a test last week and she ran over to somebody else who had 2 dogs - I was worried she would follow them home!  Luckily she eventually remembered me and came back - I'm not game enough to try that again).  I've been working on her recall and she comes to me (tho not with the enthusiasm I used to get from my border collie) in the apartment and on lead, but no leash + other dogs - forget it!

I have been feeding her what the vet recommended - Pro Plan sensitive skin and stomach - I had told them I saw a small rash on her right 'armpit' area which has since gone away.

Lol she's very cheeky!  She won't get off the couch unless I get off first and reel her off (using the lead)!  If I'm sitting on the couch and ask her to get off, she'll sit on me, leaning her body against my chest and if I try and reel her off with the lead she resists me so I virtually have to push/stand up to get her off!  Hahaha she's got a stronger will than I had initially thought - it's so wonderful getting to know her character.  

Last night she rifled through the rubbish bin (it is a tall bin that I had put on top of a rack thinking that she wouldn't notice it - guess I didn't factor in her climbing the rack!!) hahaha I've moved it now but I have to smile. I'm happier seeing her do normal doggy things as opposed to being too scared to move, even if they are a little naughty!

She certainly is voice-sensitive though, which is a good and bad thing.  I have to be careful not to talk too deeply or with too much of an annoyed tone of voice if it's not something serious (a couple of times when woken up abruptly in the middle of the night I haven't thought about it and spoken grumpily (eg "WHAT!??") and she's wet herself!).  But at least it kinda makes things easier for me to tell her when she has gotten something wrong (and something right!).

Thanks again for your advice and for listening to me gush.  I'm just so excited about seeing her open up =) Jacelyn

Answer
Food first.  I don't like ProPlan and would strongly suggest a better food like Innova or Innova EVO for Sophie.  Orijen is also good.  If you go to Naturapet.com you can find out where it's sold in your area.  A store that carries Innova will carry other premium brands.

Now to get her off the furniture you first need to teach her the command.  So command "Off" - pull her down and then praise & reward.  

I'm happy to hear she's getting lots of walking :)  If you get her an extension lead she can have a lot of freedom and you're still in control.
Delores