My 5 month old is nervous and timid

[kinkyboo]

Hi,I'm new to this forum. I don't know how to describe my 5 month old. He is panicky,nervous and timid. I got it 4 days ago and he's still does not recognize me. Everything startle's him. From water running from the tap to bird chirpings!
It's been suggested that i enroll him in obidience class,but i don't know how!He doesnt even come near me. He'll run helter skelter whenever i have a leash in my hand. I can't even get near him!

[Obelix]

Need a lot more info to even start thinking what can be wrong with your dog.Where did you get it? Why is it 5 mos old before you got it? How were the conditions it lived in before you got it ? etc....Is it a dog with a pedegree or a BYB? Do you know it's parents?Shelter? Abused?

[jazzking1971]

can you still return him?

for now, just be calm and let him come to you. Do not correct him for anything if possible until he is more comfortable. Sit on the floor and hand feed him if possible.

[poohbearsmom]

If returning him is an option, I'd take that in a heartbeat. While some pups are a bit hesitant to new environments, etc..., it sounds as though this is not a very stable dog in the making.

There are too many very nice pups out there to burden yourself with a project for the next 8 or 10 years.

A pup or young dog should be curious, confident and happy about life. While fear responses can be a normal part of growing up, it doesn't sound like your boy is recovering very well.. and recovery from a fear response is of utmost importance.

He is likely this way due to a. bad breeding, b. lack of socialization, or both.

If I bred a pup like this, it would never make it to a new home. WAY too much of a liability all the way around. But that's just me.

[kinkyboo]

I got it from a reputable kennel around town. Both his parents are champion dogs from Germany. Among the litter of 7,this puppy is the most anti social and timid. My dad's friend is the owner of the kennel actually, so he gave the puppy to me cause no one else wants it due to its behavior.

Returning it is not an option because he'll be put to sleep.

[jlaack]

If returning him is an option, I'd take that in a heartbeat.

As would I. If this dog is so scared of pretty routine stuff, I can't imagine if he needed medical care requiring you to approach and treat him while he is in pain.

[AngelBunny]

Where did you get this dog?

I join the others in suggesting you return the dog. No normal young dog behaves as you describe.

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by kinkyboo

I got it from a reputable kennel around town. Both his parents are champion dogs from Germany. Among the litter of 7,this puppy is the most anti social and timid. My dad's friend is the owner of the kennel actually, so he gave the puppy to me cause no one else wants it due to its behavior.

Returning it is not an option because he'll be put to sleep.

Sometimes euthenasia is much kinder than making a dog survive for years in true fear of the world around him. Imagine yourself in those shoes - clear panic over simple everyday occurances, and not understanding why you are in a state of utter fear. Have you ever truly been in fear of losing your life? This is the type of fear some dogs feel even though there is nothing threatening going on around them. I imagine living this way would be like living in sheer hell.

Unfortunately, we cannot give psychological help to dogs like we can to people, and there are even people that aren't "fixable". We cannot explain to a dog that there is nothing to fear if it's innate nature is truly off kilter. Counterconditioning can only take one so far with a dog and training does not change inborn temperament.

If this dog is truly as fearful as you indicate, an ethical breeder would have taken care of this instead of putting such a burden (AND LIABILITY!!!!!) on someone elses shoulders, IMHO.

There are many, many good hearted, well meaning people in this world, and I have a feeling you're one of them. Your heart could be the size of Pacific Ocean, and it still wouldn't change inborn temperament issues in a dog. Please think about this long and hard, because a fear bite can be one of the worst kind of bites; the dog is actually in fear for it's life, whether it makes sense to us or not.

[poohbearsmom]

As an addition to my first comment, even in a well bred litter there is the occasional fluke of a temperament. Caca happens sometimes, but I still say that a thoughtful breeder must be willing to cull a puppy, especially for a serious temperament fault, otherwise the breeder has no business breeding.

[jlaack]

Sometimes euthenasia is much kinder than making a dog survive for years in true fear of the world around him. Imagine yourself in those shoes - clear panic over simple everyday occurances, and not understanding why you are in a state of utter fear. Have you ever truly been in fear of losing your life? This is the type of fear some dogs feel even though there is nothing threatening going on around them. I imagine living this way would be like living in sheer hell.

I agree with this. If the dog is always afraid is that a quality of life?

[Terri Lambert]

I agree with the rest if this is an unstable dog nervous and timid, you should return him. My older rottie is from a reputable breeder but she did have issues and still will occassionally. She was never abused but used to be terrified of men, it took a lot of training, dedication and love to get her over it but she does still become spooked at times. Unless you know how to deal with these issues and are willing to work him through them which can take years or never please return him. And yes I love my girl dearly I would check the temperament of the puppy I am getting in the future to make sure it is not afraid of noises in general and all kinds of people.

[jazzking1971]

Originally Posted by kinkyboo

I got it from a reputable kennel around town. Both his parents are champion dogs from Germany. Among the litter of 7,this puppy is the most anti social and timid. My dad's friend is the owner of the kennel actually, so he gave the puppy to me cause no one else wants it due to its behavior.

Returning it is not an option because he'll be put to sleep.

I have my male's littermate because of the same reason. We've spent alot of time with her and she's doing much better but still very weak nerved and unstable in new situations.

Around the house you'd never know she has a serious nerve problem. When the puppy can handle it make sure you do OB. I taught my nerve bag schutzhund style OB because that's what I'm into these days with my male and I wanted the experience of training different dog. Her OB is actually better than my male. It could be because she's so submissive she works to do everything right as soon as possible. I don't know but I wish my male were as sharp with his OB exercises.

Good luck, it's a long road and you can never take your eye off of him but he can still be a rewarding family pet if raised and trained properly.

[kinkyboo]

Thank you all for all your advices and suggestion. I think I'll be sending him to a puppy training class and see how it goes from there. If he's still scared for life about everything, I guess I have no choice but to return him.
He's less afraid of sudden noises now, but will run away from people.
And one more thing,he is very EXTREMELY lazy!All he does is sleep and lie down! Rarely gets up except to reach his food. I've try lifting him for walks and stuff, he just look away, gives out a loud sigh,then lie down again.

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by kinkyboo

Thank you all for all your advices and suggestion. I think I'll be sending him to a puppy training class and see how it goes from there. If he's still scared for life about everything, I guess I have no choice but to return him.
He's less afraid of sudden noises now, but will run away from people.
And one more thing,he is very EXTREMELY lazy!All he does is sleep and lie down! Rarely gets up except to reach his food. I've try lifting him for walks and stuff, he just look away, gives out a loud sigh,then lie down again.

This is not normal behavior for a 5 month old pup. He should be active...running around and playing. He may not be healthy (heart,etc.) or often pups with hip dysplasia are considered lazy...because it hurts to walk.

Get this puppy checked out by a good vet...heart and hips. I have a feeling this puppy is going to bring you heartbreak. There is a reason why this puppy has not been sold till you got him.

Gina

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by kinkyboo

Thank you all for all your advices and suggestion. I think I'll be sending him to a puppy training class and see how it goes from there. If he's still scared for life about everything, I guess I have no choice but to return him.
He's less afraid of sudden noises now, but will run away from people.
And one more thing,he is very EXTREMELY lazy!All he does is sleep and lie down! Rarely gets up except to reach his food. I've try lifting him for walks and stuff, he just look away, gives out a loud sigh,then lie down again.

If you insist on keeping this pup, please take him to the veterinarian (that should be an interesting trip) and have a full physical examination done on him. You might take a muzzle with you in case you need one.

While it is normal for a pup to sleep a lot, a pup with no interest in food at all or anything else may indeed have a condition that needs to be addressed. I would definitely spend money on the veterinarian before I put money into a training class, that way you can determine if a class is even necessary.

I'm very sorry that this person dumped a seemingly unwell (both mentally and physically) pup in your lap. Your "friend" the breeder has not been a very good friend at all if all you describe is as serious as it sounds.

People like you, who want to do right by a dog deserve to have a dog that is a pleasure to live with, not a constant worry, battle and huge liability.