Skittish Lab-Husky Mix

Question
We recently have adopted a 1 year old (we think) female lab-husky mix who is afraid of most things. This is also her 4th home. Her last home she lived with 3 Chiwanwas and I think they dominated her. She is very submissive and quiet.

We also have a 13 month white male German shepherd who is very well behaved & socialized (goes to the dog park 2 times a week, but loves to play and play. He is very big and strong. When we are not around, he definitely shows her that he is the pack leader and wants to play all the time. Other times he knows Dad is pack leader.

Is it ok to leave them together when we are not home? They stay in a gated area of the house. I don't think she has ever been crated, but would that be better for her? I think he may be dominating her too much when we are not here. How do you over-come the jealousy of both dogs and how do we over come her fears?

We are a pack leader family but we have not dealt with a shy fearful dog before.

Answer
For now, it may be best to crate her when you aren't around.  Along with giving her good pack leadership, it will help build her confidence.  Always leave the crate available with the door open so she knows she can retreat to her ''den''.  

It is only natural that a puppy resists its crate at first. What the puppy wants more than anything else is to be others, you, anyone else in the household, and any other pets. In our modern society, even if we are home, other things distract us from the attention an uncrated puppy must have. The only real solution is to crate the dog when you aren't around. The dog may be happier in its den than loose in the house. It relaxes, it feels safe in its den. It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving its self. Dogs that have been crated all along do very well. Many of them will rest in their crates even when the door is open. I think the plastic ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling. Metal ones can be put in a corner or covered with something the dog can't pull in and chew. Select a crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in.

Leave it some toys. Perhaps a Kong filled with peanut butter. Don't leave anything in the crate the dog might chew up. It will do fine without even any bedding. You will come home to a safe dog and a house you can enjoy.

A dog that has not been crated since it was little, may take some work. Start out just putting its toys and treats in the crate. Praise it for going in. Feed it in the crate. This is also an easy way to maintain order at feeding time for more than one dog.

Playing tug of war and losing will build a dog's confidence too.  Just keep the rope or other toy at the end to maintain your pack position.

''Elevation for small puppies: Sit on the floor and gently put your hands around your pup's middle, below his front legs, and lift him up. He is facing you. Hold him for 15 seconds. Repeat until he no longer struggles. If he is past 10-12 weeks, lift his front feet off the ground, but don't pick him up.

Cradling for small puppies: Hold your puppy gently on his back, as you would cradle a small baby. If he struggles, hold him firmly until he quiets for 10-15 seconds. With larger pups, you can do this as your sit on the floor, with your pup between your legs.

Quiet lying down: Place your pup on the floor on his side, with all 4 legs pointing away from you. Use your hands on his neck/shoulder area and middle, to hold him in this position. When he is quiet, praise him. Lengthen the time that you keep him quietly in this position. When he accepts this position well, handle his paws and muzzle, while keeping him quiet.''

The quotes mean this isn't my original work. It is copied from my Puppy Raising Manual. I have long used these or minor variations of them, and they are very effective. You may want to give him a belly rub while he is on his back too. Helps bonding. There is a big difference between him rolling over and demanding a belly rub, and you choosing a time to roll him over and rub his belly. The latter cements your place as pack leader.