My dog is really terrified of everything.

Question
Hi Kristen - I live in Marietta, GA but if nothing in Marietta I could go to Acworth, Kennesaw, and Smyrna. Thank you for helping me with this. Every place I have called is charging this. I called an independent trainer last night and he charges $350 for 3 weeks. That is just too much for me. What about petsmart? Do you think that would be a good place? I don't know if they have those where you are at but they are like Petco's. I would have to get the training for 2 dogs - those quotes were for 1 dog only. One place is charging $850 for 2 dogs for 6 weeks 1 day a week. Is this normal?-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
I got Ginger when she was 6 weeks old. I had already had my other dog Gizmo for a couple months. I got him when he was 12 weeks old. But I will try to do everything that you said to do. if it doesn't work I will defintely get a trainer. They are just so expensive. Every place I have called or gone on the website it's around $400 to $800 that is just way out of my budget. But thank you for your advice.---------- Followup To
Question -
Hi Kristen,

I just asked you a question earlier and you gave me a great answer and I think it is really going to help me out. But I was wondering about my other dog. My female dog Ginger is terrified of everything and everyone and I don't know why. When people or other dogs come up to pet her she will either run away or freeze and lay on her back like she's dead and her eyes get all big. It's like she scared someone is going to hurt her. People always joke with me - saying what have you done to that dog? I am really worried about her. All I do is show her love - I don't know why she is terrifed. When people come over while we are outside on the leash I have to pick her up and hold her like a child and she will dig her claw's into me. Or she will hide behind my legs like my 4 year old Nephew does. Is this normal? She also has a compolsive licking behavier. She would lick me for an hour if I would let her. If she's not licking me she will just sit and lick the air - she just sit's and slurp's really loud. She doesn't really lick herself a lot though. I love when my dogs lick me but when she does it - it's excessive. Do you have any advice on how I could make her comfortable with other people? When I go over to my parents house one of their friends will bark and make loud noises and jump at them to scare them - It makes me furious - that I end up having to leave. But I think that is why she is like this. She has always been shy but not this bad. She is a year and 4 months old.
Thank you so much for your advice on my other dog Gizmo - I am going to go home and try the training  tonight. But I really appreciate your help and your time.
Answer -
When did you get Ginger, Kristin? I'm thinking either she wasn't socialized as a puppy or something may have happened to her that would cause her to be fearful of people. The licking is a submissive gesture on her part; what she's doing is showing you that she views you as her pack leader. So, you should never scold her for the excessive licking, but don't praise her for it either. You can try putting some bitter apple or bitter lime spray on your hands/fingers/arms/whatever she licks, to discourage the behavior, or just simply get up and walk away from her when she starts doing it.


For her fearfulness, I would try to take her out and get her exposed to people and other dogs slowly. If there is enough foot traffic or people outside in your neighborhood, you can start out in your yard. But before you do that, you may want to get a clicker (if you don't know what a clicker is, let me know) and teach her that when she hears the click she gets a treat. This is VERY simple. Just start out inside with the clicker in one hand and lots of treats within reach. They should be very small pieces, no larger than the size of a pea, and if you can make them something very special, that she's never had before, do that. I like Bil-Jac brand liver treats. They are soft and easily break into small pieces and most dogs LOVE them. :^)

As you're sitting on the couch watching TV or playing on the computer, or folding clothes, or even doing housework, every once in a while, click the clicker and give her a treat. Do this three or four times in a row, and do it throughout the day. It shouldn't take her but a day or two to figure out that when she hears that click, a treat is coming! Once she understands what the click means, you can take her out in the yard on a leash.

In the yard, every time a person is approaching, click and treat her as long as she's not showing fear. So, if she looks up and sees them, click and treat. If, after she sees them and knows they are there, she begins sniffing the ground or wagging her tail, or anything but showing fear, click and treat again. Keep clicking and treating until the person goes away, or until she shows fear. If she shows fear, ignore it completely. When she's comfortable with people passing by your yard, take her some place *slightly* more busy, like a parking lot. If you can get in the shade, and at a distance from the entrance of the store and where the traffic is, just sit there and do the same thing you did in the yard. Gradually move closer and closer, as she is comfortable. Do the same at the park with people and dogs. Start off at a distance and gradually move closer. Don't let anyone pet her until she is 100% comfortable with it. If she shows signs of discomfort, MOVE BACK.

She is young enough so that this approach will probably work very well.

Of course, do not allow people like your parents' friend around her, especially until she is more comfortable with people at a distance and friendly strangers.



You might also want to ask a local trainer that can help you one-on-one about it. It's always easier when you can see the dog in person.

Good luck!

Kristen

Answer -
Kristin, the licking behavior is probably because she was separated from her littermates too early. The period between 5 and 8 weeks is vital to puppies because it is during this time that they learn proper doggie manners, like how to interact with each other, bite inhibition, etc. It isn't your fault at all, but responsible breeders do not let their puppies go to new homes before 8 weeks of age.

I am confident that you can at least reduce her fears somewhat. She may never really be a social dog with other people or dogs, but I'm sure you can help build her confidence enough so that she is not so frightened by them.


$400-$800 for a trainer?! That is outrageous! If you can tell me where you're located, I might can find a trainer that's more affordable. No promises, but I can try.

Kristen


Answer
"Is this normal?"

Not for around here it isn't. I wouldn't recommend the PetsMart/Petco group classes for now because they really don't address the issues that you are having with your dog. Your dog may actually get worse in that kind of environment. Here is a list of trainers near to you that might be more affordable:

* http://www.jothor.com/jo_thorsdogacademy/default.htm
JO-THOR'S DOG ACADEMY   770-642-4191
     
     4 PRIVATE LESSONS AND 3 GROUP LESSONS- $379

     GROUP CLASSES
     6 Beginner Group lessons - $150
     6 Intermediate Group lessons - $150
     6 Advanced Group lessons - $150
       

* http://www.thepackleader.com/
Leader of the Pack, Inc. 770-579-0010

  $70 for a 1.5 hour private session
  Six week group class $150.00

* http://www.dogwoodtrainingacademy.com
Dogwood Training Academy/ADOG  770-986-8317

  PET MANNERS - $95 (rescue $85.50)
  This class is designed for the beginning dog five-six
  months old (depending on size) and older.  No dog is too
  old.  Our goal is for your pet to become a pleasure to be
  around whether at home or on an outing.

  PRIVATE LESSONS
  We offer private lessons at our facility for those
  students who need additional assistance or who would like
  to hone their skills.  Call 770.986.8317 to set up an
  appointment.  The fee for ADOG students is $50 per hour,
  $30 per half-hour and non-students $60 per hour and $40
  per half-hour.


* http://www.alchemydogtraining.com/
Alchemy Dog Training 770-655-7557

We come out to your home and help you solve your problems with your dog.  Sessions generally last for one hour, problems are addressed in the order that you choose.

Sessions are $60 per hour



These are just a few. Below are two websites with some more trainers that you may want to call if you haven't already.

http://www.dogpile.com/info.dogpl.toolbar/find/by_category/Family_Services/Pets/

http://www.k9trainers.com/georgia.htm


Kristen