nervous 3 yr old blue roan bitch

Question
QUESTION: Hi we have a 3yr old cocker bitch.  She wasn't socialized at all before we got her at 16wks old and has always been nervous of strangers and other dogs. When we first had her she wouldn't even walk past a bus stop of people and ran away from other dogs.  We took her to training classes and she is now alot better, still nervous but tolerates other dogs for a short sniff and now sniffs peoples hands!  We would love to get another cocker puppy, do you think it is a mad idea considering what she's like with other dogs or do you think it could be the making of her? thank you

ANSWER: Interesting question, Lesley.  I've just been through this with a 3 year old Rescue.

You're obviously knowledgable and have done all the right things or she wouldn't be where she is now.

But..always the but..you've had her for a few years and you may have to accept she'll always be a bit shy.

I would like to know if she has any separation anxiety or is this just "stimulation anxiety"?

I'm sure you know to never "comfort or soothe" when she's displaying this.  "Matter of fact" is the way to go.  In fact, now that she's at the point of actually giving a "short sniff" I'd cut it short with "let's go".  If you're watching carefully you can see the "ah but I wanted to investigate a bit more".  Dogs are more subtle than we sometimes realize.

Now..getting a new puppy.  Most adult dogs are totally unthreatened and very cool with puppies no matter what their individual "baggage".
After all, puppies are babies and dogs get that.  So my educated guess would be she'd be fine and very possibly get all motherly
and protective.

I'd love to talk with you further about how to push your dog a little further in accepting/feeling comfortable with the unknown.  The worst thing to do is force it.  As in - people who come into your house she doesn't know should be told to ignore her COMPLETELY.  No chat - no petting - not even eye contact.  It's way less threatening and, in a strange way, puts the ball in her court.

When you're on a walk and meet another dog with owner...make her sit...no contact until you allow it.  Don't encourage her to make contact...make it a reward.

The more you are the Leader of the Pack, the more relaxed she'll be since she's obviously a "follower".

Strangely, the same approach works with aggressive dogs.  The aura is the same .. I'm in charge and I'll let you know the appropriate response.

And..most importantly..like people every dog has their "stuff" and some characteristics you just have to accept.  As with kids - if you've got a violinist it's kind of futile to push football :)

Bottom line - I'd get a puppy if you want one.  Introduce them on neutral turf first and, of course, a puppy will be confined initally and be sure to not overdo the focus on the puppy.  You're adding years to her life with a companion and I seriously doubt there'd be any problem..and yes, it could calm her down.

If it helps any..with our very first spoiled 6 year old male cocker I picked out the "feisty" girl from a litter - predicting she'd have to deal with him.  So Wrong.  He became her slave.  To the point I'd say "Oh for God's sake..smack her down".  No.  He indulged her..she could have the toy..he protected her and put up with just godawful behavior from her.

Like us, they do "know" it's a baby.  Now another adult dog is an ENTIRELY different story.
Best of luck and let me know if I can help further...specially with the best nutrition for a cocker.
Delores



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

QUESTION: Thank you so much for your advice. Coco doesn't suffer from seperation anxiety but barks a awful lot at noises outside, car doors shutting etc. Walks are very positive and i use the "Lets go" technique, she is never allowed to meet strangers (to her) at the front door, once they are sitting down she is let in and they are told to completely ignore her.  This does work and she generally does a couple of barks then goes away!  If we get a puppy should it sleep for a while in a seperate room from Coco til their used to each other?  Some advice on how to reduce her barking would be great.  thank you

Answer
It's very hard to separate anxiety from plain old rude :) and the barking is just Coco indulging herself.

When we first got Oliver (our 3 year old rescue) he was an anxious mess and would go ballistic if I so much as just went to put the garbage out.  He ALSO would sit and bark-whine-cry at the dinner table.  That was not anxiety.  I used the old "can of pennies" trick once and he never did it again.  You can't be afraid to correct or you're on a toboggan to hell :)  And again - correcting is saying "I'm in charge - you are not - this isn't appropriate".

So here's what to do.  Get a few empty pop/beer cans - put about 15 pennies in and tape the top shut.  When she's barking mindlessly say NO and raise the can above you and bring it down hard ONCE. Go right at her with it. Don't "shake it"..it's like you're throwing a baseball at the ground as hard as you can..one crashing noise.  Then walk away.  No chat.
If she continues...do it again.

I well know the owner attitude of "oh but she's nervous so I can't be strict"...I'm as guilty as anyone.  However, if you want a behavior to stop there has to be "unpleasant" consequences.  A dog's hearing is 50x more sensitive than ours so that crashing can of pennies is like the God of Dogs speaking loudly :)

Now, the new baby..well, of course I'd need to know where Coco sleeps now?  Don't change anything for Coco.  If she sleeps with you, then that should continue.  If she's confined to her bed in the kitchen (or wherever) then it's fine to have them together.  Initially I think I'd crate the baby..but that would depend on what I'm seeing with the two of them.  Personally I got a child's playpen for any new puppy.

And don't be surprised if initially Coco looks at the new puppy like "what the heck is THAT" and ignores him or her.  Just carry on.
Delores