skittish greyhound

Question
we just fostered and then decided to adopt a greyhound right from the track.  We also have a labradoodle and a standard poodle.  They are both very mellow and they seem to have establised their hierarchy with the labradoodle being a gentle alpha.  Micah, the greyhound seems to be doing very well adjusting to our home environment and his housetraining is excellent.  My only issue seems to be that he is still (it's been three not quite three weeks) very very skittish and i'm wondering if you can give me some tips for building up his confidence in us.  We are using treats and lots of upbeat sounding praise.  Since this is our second greyhound we know that it does take time for all the "Layers" of his personality to show itself.. i would just like to know if there is anything i can do to move it along so that he will be more comfortable here.  Thanks so much for any tips you can provide!

Answer

Hi Dorothy,

Obedience training using positive methods can help the dog to understand that you are in charge and that he can trust you to keep him safe. Keep training periods short, upbeat and fun. Reward desirable behavior and ignore wrong behavior. Helping the dog feel a sense of accomplishment is a great confidence builder. If you enroll him in obedience classes, make sure the trainer uses positive training methods. Talk to them about your dog's shyness. Whether you take your dog to an obedience class, or work at home, take your dog out of the house for an outing at least 3 times a week, ideally once each day. Getting out of the house and experiencing new people, places and things will help your dog gain confidence in himself.

If your dog is scared of people, instruct them to sit down and avoid eye contact until the dog is no longer scared of this particular person. They may offer the dog a treat, but don't force your dog to take it.

Try to protect your dog's personal space. Do not let strangers overwhelm him, etc.. You may not be aware of a passerby petting the dog. Don't allow people (even family members) to pet the dog on the top of the head or behind his ears. Instead, pat and scratch the dog on his chest and neck. This is much less threatening to a dog.

Do not over-stimulate or push your dog too far to fast. Let the dog regulate how close he can get to other people, places and things. If you push a scared dog too far, you will create a neurosis that will be more difficult to treat. If your dog is scared of human contact, even from you, pet the dog as you walk by. Do it quickly and friendly, and then keep walking. By sneaking in friendly petting with no consequences (you simply walk away) the dog will learn that being touched is not a bad thing.

Being scared is very stressful. Exercise is one of the most beneficial ways to relieve stress, so make sure your dog gets plenty of it. Be sure to allow the dog to romp and play unrestricted (except for a fence!) until he tires out. This may be one of the best therapies that you can give a
shy dog.

You can watch dog training videos that show how to  build a dog's confidence here:
http://www.ehow.com/video_4943004_building-confidence-dog-training-tips.html


Read more about building a dog's confidence here:

http://www.sithappens.us/index_files/Page3283.htm

http://devinefarm.net/articles/submiss.htm

http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_Shy.php


Continue to encourage your Greyhound and be generous with praise, while avoiding situations that cause him to panic.  Treat him to the things he enjoys. He might never evolve into an outgoing enthusiastic animal but eventually, he will learn to be more comfortable in his own fur.

I hope I've been a help.
Best of luck,

Patti