“Rescue Me” is a recurring column by Samantha Randall, editor of Top tips for dogs. She will provide personal anecdotes and perspective on her life as a pet lover with a passion for rescuing cats and dogs. Today, she offers tips for successfully adopting a shy dog.
When you adopt a dog, you may not know what kind of personality it has. Some shelters and rescue groups can provide this information, but you may have to settle for limited information and interaction.
However, if you know If the dog you want to adopt is shy and shy, then there are some steps you can take to ensure that he will feel comfortable from the start. I’ve been in situations like this in the past, so here are some of my personal tips.
Prepare your home
The first thing to do is to manage the environment so that your new pet feels at home. Keep in mind that it will still take some time for the new dog to get used to this new situation, but if you prepare your home in advance, it will be easier for both of you.
Start with the garden, if you have one. Make sure the fence is high enough to prevent the dog from climbing or jumping over it, and that the backyard is fully fenced. Also check the fence for holes.
Inside the house, make sure all your doors close and lock properly and your windows are all closed as well.
Provide the dog with personal space
Once you’ve secured your home, it’s time to create a comfortable environment for your dog to use as his personal space. Designate a small, quiet room just for your dog. Buy a crate that is the right size, meaning it’s tall enough for your new dog to stand up in comfort and long enough to lie down on.
Most shy dogs will enjoy the crate and feel comfortable and protected in it. Keeping your new pet in the crate at first will prevent it from ingesting potentially dangerous objects and escaping your home while you are away. It will also protect your household items from destructive chewing.
After you find the right crate, it’s time to put some stuff in it. The crate must contain some type of litter. If your new dog likes to chew, you should consider something durable or chew resistant. You should also put toys in the crate so your dog doesn’t get too bored, although it’s important to make sure the toys are safe for your dog’s size. Don’t leave food and water in the crate unless you plan to be away for a while.
Some dogs may fear cages. If so, keep them in a small, secure place. You can use baby gates to enclose the dog and keep it safe. Just make sure they can’t jump over!
Get the right gear
To ensure the safety of your dog during your walks, you also need equipment. First, you will need a leash five to six feet long. You will also need a collar and safety harness. It’s best to use a no-pull harness because most adopted dogs aren’t properly leash trained and tend to pull on the leash.
Your new friend may be afraid to walk on a leash or easily startled by traffic and other loud noises. This is why you should always walk your dog with the leash attached to both the harness and the collar for added security. Once your dog gets used to walking on a leash, you can usually stick to a harness or collar.
In addition to walking gear, you will need other supplies like high-quality dog food and treats, toys, and more. When shopping for toys for your pooch, opt for ones that don’t squeak, as noisy toys might startle them.
Working with your shy dog
The most important thing to keep in mind is that it will take time and patience for a shy dog to socialize with other pets and other people. If your new dog is very shy, leave him alone in his room/crate for a few hours each day.
Your dog will observe you and try to make sense of the new environment. Give them time to get comfortable and use an upbeat tone of voice and non-threatening body language. Make sure you don’t look too anxious or your dog might think something is wrong and worry. It’s best to be at your dog’s eye level when talking, rather than standing over him or leaning at the waist.
Establish a routine
The next step is to establish a regular daily routine. This includes eating, sleeping and walking. Try to do these things at the same time each day so your dog can get used to the routine and feel comfortable.
Earn their trust
Don’t try to force your new dog to agree to being petted or handled. At first, you can just spend some quiet time with your pooch, sitting on a nearby floor. Offer a treat once in a while, but don’t try to approach her with it, rather throw it gently. Let your dog come to you, and after a while it will come naturally.
Once your dog becomes more confident and starts coming for treats, you can try gently petting him. Reward progress, no matter how small, with a treat and praise. And once your dog allows the petting, stroke the chest instead of the head because the hand coming from above can be perceived as threatening and may cause your dog to react.
Acquire help
Your dog’s behavior should change within days and weeks. They should become more open and accepting of your petting and handling as they get used to this new living environment and their daily routines. But if you don’t notice any progress within a few weeks, or can’t break a certain plateau, contact your vet for advice. The vet may even refer you to a veterinary behaviorist who could help your dog live a fearless life.
And even when your dog comes out of his shell, you still need to be careful and avoid making loud noises, like vacuuming or listening to loud music. Also, when introducing your pooch to new people or animals, do so slowly and carefully. It’s best to prepare a few treats to offer your visitor during the introduction.
Ultimately, your dog can also benefit and gain confidence through basic obedience training or socialization classes. But they need a comfort base before they can try these tactics.
Adopting a shy dog requires a lot of patience and time for the dog to free itself from fear and learn to trust you. But if you let your new pet get comfortable around you at their own pace and make the necessary preparations to help them feel at home, you’re likely to find a new friend for life.