Advice Needed Please

[whatacracker]

Morning all,  As silly as this may sound i dont think our new cocker Dolce likes us!   She slept in her bed in the crate last night but this morning she didnt want to come out , she went to the back of it and i couldn't reach her so i left the door open and after 10 mins she came out on her own! , but she ran all round the house trying to hide as i bent down to put her lead on she got very upset and turned a little nasty shall we say  I didnt shout at her i just lowered my voice and told her NO! i put the lead on walked her she was out for about 25mins but didnt go she waited till she got home and went in the house she is 5 1/2 months old can enyone give any advice please help!!

[Kim]

I'd say that she is just very stressed - it's a big big change for her.
I'd just get her into a routine as quickly as possible & use bribes to get her to come to you, for things such as lead on or out for a wee etc.
Sounds like she was frightened by you bending over her to put her lead on, as this is a threatening gesture.
Alot of dogs won't "perform" on a lead, so just carry on with walks, but take her straight to the garden after. Giving loads of OTT praise when she goes.
One piece of advice, make sure your kids leave her alone whilst she's in her bed  
I hope this helps.

[whatacracker]

I'd say that she is just very stressed - it's a big big change for her.
I'd just get her into a routine as quickly as possible & use bribes to get her to come to you, for things such as lead on or out for a wee etc.
Sounds like she was frightened by you bending over her to put her lead on, as this is a threatening gesture.
Alot of dogs won't "perform" on a lead, so just carry on with walks, but take her straight to the garden after. Giving loads of OTT praise when she goes.
One piece of advice, make sure your kids leave her alone whilst she's in her bed 
I hope this helps.

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Thanks Kim she hasn't had a lot of contact with the big world outside so it must be very daunting for her! she is sleeping by the door at the moment good as gold will let you know what happens next!

[Jane S]

I agree with Kim - Dolce sounds stressed & confused. Remember she doesn't know you & if she is used to kennel life (as she's not house trained, I'm assuming she has been a kennel dog up until now), then suddenly moving to a totally different environment is going to take a lot of getting used to. As she's also been living with her sisters, it's also probable that becoming an only dog for the first time is quite frightening for her - she is now having to think for herself without the comforting presence of her canine pals. Don't expect too much too soon & take everything slowly, a step at a time If you haven't already, get yourself a copy of Gwen Bailey's "The Perfect Puppy" which has lots of useful advice on puppy training & socialisation.

Jane

[whatacracker]

I agree with Kim - Dolce sounds stressed & confused. Remember she doesn't know you & if she is used to kennel life (as she's not house trained, I'm assuming she has been a kennel dog up until now), then suddenly moving to a totally different environment is going to take a lot of getting used to. As she's also been living with her sisters, it's also probable that becoming an only dog for the first time is quite frightening for her - she is now having to think for herself without the comforting presence of her canine pals. Don't expect too much too soon & take everything slowly, a step at a time If you haven't already, get yourself a copy of Gwen Bailey's "The Perfect Puppy" which has lots of useful advice on puppy training & socialisation.

Jane

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Hi Jane, she is used to living in a house but has only had contact with the person who breed her, although it was from a specialist breeder she breeds from home

[Jane S]

Hi Jane, she is used to living in a house but has only had contact with the person who breed her, although it was from a specialist breeder she breeds from home

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That's a bit odd. I'd expect a nearly 6 month old puppy reared in the home to be virtually housetrained & used to meeting lots of people, unless perhaps the breeder is elderly & lives alone? If Dolce has had only minimal contact with other people/children etc, you will have to go very carefully with her as she will need a lot of socialisation but taken gently ie gradually build up her experience over time. If she shows signs of being afraid of new people etc, don't pick her up or comfort her and don't tell her off either -just keep talking to her in a happy, confident tone (even if it makes you sound slightly mad ). I would recommend you find a good training class once Dolce has settled in a bit more (try HERE for a list of trainers/classes by area)

Jane

[sarahb2206]

Poor Dolce - she sounds a bit frigtened and stressed.....    When Bramble first came home (although she was only 8 weeks) it was very, very difficult for her....  all the new sounds, smells, things and people.....   I made sure that when the children were not around, I would sit on the floor - come down to her level - as leaning over her head straight on is a threataning gesture to dogs - talking quietly.   This is where a cage comes into its own - its her haven,  so keep the kiddies away from the crate - don't try and pull her out of it, and be calm, quietly spoken, and  (I know this one is difficult, having a house full of boys myself) try and keep the kiddies relatively calm and quiet for a few days until she has settled in, as sudden loud noises and charging around will scare the living daylights out of her, AND very importantly, as she is 5 months, get her socialised - go to puppy classes and walk her places where there are people around.

Hope this helps.....  and Gwen aileys book is brilliant.....  

[Kim]

I find boot sales & Summer fairs/fetes are great places to socialise puppies.

[k]

I'm re-reading The Dog Listener by Jan Fennell - a really interesting book-I,d recommend it .In this she writes about  a dog she brought home from a rescue centre who sat under the table and growled at anyone who went near .They just talked calmly and cheerfully and let it do things in its own time and it did. Lots of patience and I'm sure she,ll be absolutely fine.

[mick]

Yep  I would agree not only stressed but lack of trust (not your fault) bless her..She needs lots of love, cuddles, Love, Cuddles and more love..She will soon come round.

Keep us all updated and give her belly a tickle from me..