| Re: Difficult to bond with?
If it was me trying to establish a bond with a dog like this one, I'd use as little "force" as possible, other than to perhaps gate the dog in the same room or things like that.
What I would do is put together a variety of small treats (hot dogs, cheese, chicken - whatever really piques her interest) and take the bowl, a clicker and the (very hungry) dog out to the yard (or I suppose the living room would work, too - but there are more distractions outside so more opportunities) and - assuming I've already thoroughly taught her that "click means treat" and I've added a "come and get it" command to it - I'd sit with my bowl of treats and just watch her. ANY movement she makes in my direction, even as subtle as a ear twitch or head turn in my direction, I'd click and say "Come and GET IT!" and reward.
If she's really standoffish this could be started on a long leash or a flexi, but only to limit how far she can move away, never to reel her in - it has to be HER decision to move in and accept the offer of a treat.
Depending on how uninterested she is, this can be a real exercise in patience on the owner's part, because you MUST allow the dog to CHOOSE the interaction and then highly reward it with something that is highly valued by the dog (for most hungry dogs that is food)......that's the first step.
Might be worth a try.  |