Could this be from abuse?

[anna&jacksmom]

Here is another Cody question--He is the 5 month old pup I found running on the street I think he is a rottie mix. I am working with him ~4 hours a day just training socializing and teaching him about playing and the house rules so he will be a good dog for someone. I can't keep him but I feel responsible since I was the one who took him in and he depends on me for now.

Here is the question... He is kind of shy to begin with . He will approach other people to sniff them but if they lean over him he will hide behind my legs. He does this much less with women than men. With men as soon as they bend down to pet him scoots back to his comfort zone. With women he just kind of backs up and lowers his head and kisses their hands. I give lots of praise for the approach and kisses and use a happy silly voice when he is scared. I never smooth down hackels if they pop up (happening less and less). I also don't let people persue him if he backs up and he almost always comes back and eventually gets pets. He has never growled or bared teeth to a person.

Also he is very wary about being tempted with a treat. He will back up or run the other direction if I bend down and try to offer a treat while facing him. He will happily take it if I drop it or if I am sitting down or even not looking directly at him. He just doesn't want to take it from my hand if I am in a position to reach out to him. I am going to start handfeeding all his food when he goes to an all Kibble diet. He is eating a homemade one right now with Kibble mixed in and I am handfeeding the kibble--I avoid touching raw meat more than absolutely necessary.

The last thing is that if I reach and touch him from behind he just crouches with his belly to the floor and trembles. He isn't scared of noisy things like cars or thunder and he is quick to investigate something that he is cautious of so he IS learning. He seems to know how to avoid cars and wasn't even phased by the garbage truck.

I think if it was strictly a genetic nerve problem he would be scared of everything and not go right back to investigate right?

I know he was running for long enough for his collar to be so tight I couldn't get but a pinky finger under it and when he ate he coughed the food back. This never happened after I took his collar off. I know it should have been the first thing I checked but I did get it off w/in about 30 minutes of taking him home.

Does anyone think he could have been abused or tricked into a bad situation. Like someone called him or treated him to them and then hit or screamed at him? He is especialy cautions of men so I try to start conversations with every guy I see so he sees I am not scared of them. They probably think I'm trying to pick them up LOL.

Does anyone have any other suggestions to better socialize him? I really want him to be a good dog and get a good home and I am willing to put the effort into it so if you see anything wrong with what I am doing or have any suggestions or just opinions of what type of home would be best for him please offer them. Thanks very much---from me and Cody.

[Vivianne]

Hello anna&jacksmom

My last rotty, a female, suddenly developed the same behavior. Regarding men and women. Seems, were I was living, the men visiting the household while I was away would kick her away and use extremely harsh scare tactics and just general abuse in their dealings with the dog. They said they wanted to make her mean, like a rotty should be.

I won't go into that last statement. I could write volumes on my reaction and the outcome of the whole thing.

So, even late into her senior years she was always leary of men.
Even school children. She was tormented through her kennel, on my property mind you. The children walked by my home on there way home after school and the nicest thing they'd do (sarcasm) was throw rocks at my girl.

I never left her alone with men or children her entire life. She'd warm up to a few after long exposure to them. I mean seeing the same people over all the time. But I never fully trusted her. The fear she felt, I thought could turn ugly at any time if I wasn't present.

Good luck with this new boy. I was never able to get my girl to feel comfortable around men again. She even barked-growled at me, threatening like, one day when I was wearing a ball cap. Go figure.

Abuse is horrible for these poor animals. Let us know how he progresses.

[TrishB]

It could have been abuse, but it could just be that he's a normal, shy, non-alpha puppy! ;) Don't get me wrong, but people often jump to the conclusion that the dog was abused when it's shy. How many times have you heard "Oh, he was abused as a puppy / before I got him."?

Many times you just have a very submissive puppy. Just as there are very Alpha puppies, there are very Submissive puppies.

I found this article on a breeder site (so I can't post the URL). The exercises are good - however only use them until your puppy comes out of his shell. These are NOT life-long lessons and should NEVER be used on Alpha dogs at any time.

That being said, here it is:

Building A Submissive Dog's Confidence
by Donna Dick dondick@ns1.iswt.com

The following was written in response to a letter on the mastiff mailing list about a young mastiff with submissive tendencies.

You mentioned he is submissive (submissive urination & defecation, hiding, face to wall, etc.). I have studied Canine Behavior & Development for 8 years now and have had success rehabilitating dogs with behavioral disorders that Certified Animal Behaviorists have given up on. I am not certified because I am not interested in other species, just canines, and they do not certify just Canine Behaviorist.

This said, I just wanted to suggest to you that you may wish to try some confidence building exercises such as the following.

TUG OF WAR
Instigate a game of tug of war with the puppy. Begin gently at first and allow him to instigate any rough play. Shake the towel in front of him and tell him, "get it". When the puppy takes the towel into his mouth and pulls, release the towel and LET him win. Then praise him generously, "good boy!".

As the puppy builds confidence and begins to pull more on the towel, offer a little resistance and tug back, but always let him win, and then praise generously!

Important Note: When doing this exercise with an Alpha dog, do not allow him to win. Make him release the towel or tug when you command, "OUT".

SUBMISSION EXERCISE
Get down onto the floor with the puppy. A more submissive puppy will lay down and turn belly up when you initiate any contact with him. A really submissive may even urinate at this point. A less submissive will just sit down and turn his head away and not make eye contact.

While you are on the floor with the puppy place your head beneath his neck and allow him to be `Dominant Dog' for as long as you both are comfortable. (Do not try this exercise with an Alpha dog, but a submissive will never try to dominate you). Repeat this exercise on a daily basis.

DOMINANT ROLL PLAY
When the puppy is comfortable with the Submission Exercise, place the puppy over the top of you and let him stand or lay over you. (Like a baby laying on your stomach.) While he is there you can massage or rub him and talk gently to him. Again, do not do this exercise with an Alpha dog, you will be inviting trouble. But a submissive dog will not try to establish himself as pack leader and will not try to dominate you.

MASSAGE THERAPY
When the puppy is laying down begin by gently rubbing (like petting) him. As he becomes more accustomed to the idea, start gently massaging the back, sides, neck, then move on to the legs, head, and finally (this should be last) belly. Because by forcing a dog to expose the belly, you are forcing him to submit to you and this is the opposite effect you are trying to accomplish.

Massage Therapy is naturally relaxing and calming. By massaging the muscles it forces the body to release endorphins and enkephalins which provide, an opium like effect, and causes the dog to relax. These substances (and other hormones in the body, such as adrenaline, nor-adrenaline, and corticosteroids) are associated with reactions to physical and psychological stress and adaptation to stress; therefore, it assists the brain to become more accepting of new, and what may usually be frightening, stimuli.

Do not force a submissive dog to accept Massage Therapy. If he gets up and walks away, let him do so. If he continues to walk away and does not accept your attentions, begin while he is standing by just rubbing him (as petting) then slowly continue the exercises and gradually work them into a massage. I have never seen a dog who eventually did not accept this technique.

NOTE: If the dog was an Alpha, I would force the dog into a Dominant Down and then continue the Massage Therapy.

SOCIALIZATION EXERCISES
Begin socialization in areas of calm and away from excited stimuli, such as the park on a quiet day. Perform Massage Therapy on the puppy on the premises where you are doing the socialization. This will help to calm him and allow him to become more accepting of new stimuli.

Introduce puppy slowly to adults or calm children. Be certain children do not run up to puppy so as not to startle him.

As puppy becomes more accepting of new situations gradually introduce him to new and more advance stimuli; each time performing the Massage Therapy at the location where socialization is to occur. Socialization of a shy pup should be done very gradually. One set back can be very hard to overcome and put you back to square one.

I STRONGLY suggest the Massage Therapy! It has cut the rehabilitation time from 1/2 -2/3 in ALL of the dogs I have worked with, be it Fear Motivated Aggressive, Dominant Aggressive, Species Aggressive; from Dominant Alpha to Submissively shy. Try it! It REALLY works!

I know that there are some doubtful people who are quick to berate the Massage Therapy. To these people I would like to say, "try it before you knock it". Actually give it a workable effort.

An excellent book of reference for you is: The Healing Touch by Dr. Michael Fox, DVM. It is $11.95 and teaches all of the best techniques. It can be ordered from any book store.

Well, I hope this helps. Good Luck with your new addition! With your help, he really will be a super star!

Although it is possible that your puppy was abused, the treatment and training approaches would be the same for a submissive puppy. If you're worried, be sure to speak to your veterinarian and your trainer for other Confidence building exercises. I'm sure with the love and understanding that you've shown by posting here - you two will be a winning team. Someone is going to be very lucky to get this puppy - and you're the chief reason why! :D

Congratulations and best of luck! :)

[anna&jacksmom]

Thanks for the encouraging words and information! I really hope that he is just a shy submissive puppy. I don't want to think of someone hurting such a great dog:( I will continue to play tug of war with him and definately do the massage therapy. I have seen improvement even today. He wasn't scared of a lawnmower and he let someone who was definately questionable looking but really a nice guy come to him and pet him. He just bowed his head and even wagged his tail a little.

We are going to an adoption day on Saturday so that should be a great learning experience.

I just want this puppy to be the best dog he can and get a really great home. I am convinced thad he was the puppy I saw on Campus and couldn't catch. There is just something special about this dog. I think I got a second chance (over 2 miles away) for a reason and I don't want to let it go to waste. Maybe this dog was meant to be something great or just an ordinary dog but I want to give him the best chance possible.

Thanks again for your help and support:D

[Judi W]

Please keep in mind also, that an overly-bold dog living on the streets would not last long. My experience with dogs rescued from the streets is that they are a bit cautious and rightly so. All territory belongs (or appears so to them) to someone else. It would be a very foolish street dog to be too bold. Might write the end to their little lives! They are often very sweet dogs and eager to please.

Teach him a couple of parlor tricks (shaking hands is always a good one). That helps to charm the potential adopter and gives him an entre. A nicely mannered dog with a trick or two wins hearts. My friend in Fla, had a charming street boy that she did keep for a while, doing all of the above and training and socializing but oh, my he did get a good home in the long run. (took a bit of time).

Good luck,