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Wile E.
if I can chew- it, it's food | 
 | | Barked: Mon Aug 13, '07 7:16am PST | |  | |  | | My story...
I was found with my 8 litter mates all alone in the country somewhere when I was 4 months old. I lived at the shelter until I was almost 8 months old when my people saw me there and took me home. At the shelter my life consisted of fear, fear and more fear since I was used to running around in the wilderness with none of these horrifying hairless upright creatures around. None the less I was TERRIFIED to leave the shelter. I found everything around me very new and frightening - above all the people. It took me several months to get used to most things like my parents touching me, eating in front of them, not running away and hiding when they entered the room, not soiling myself out of fear when they approached...
Now I like to cuddle my mum, especially if there is another dog or cat around to steal her attention from me. I'm still a little intimidated by my dad as he's pretty big and he's the alpha dog around here. I can be within a few feet of strangers without going into a panic now as long as they don't try to pat me. My parents are proud of me because I have developed a fondness for some of my aunties and uncles now and I like to soak up their attention too (especially my aunties - I am working on ways to charm the ladies into paying attention to me).
Humans are just so difficult to trust! I just want to run into traffic when a stranger tries to pat me and it takes me several long meetings before I can warm up to a new person enough to let them near me. My parents have read a lot of books about this and have followed them carefully. They find the advice of other people with dogs like me invaluable though and many of the "breakthroughs" we have had in my rehabilitation have been because of such advice. I'm very grateful, as life is pretty happy for me these days.
We are all hoping that this group will help us with tips, advice and support! |  |  | |  |
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Scout: - Always in- our hearts
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 | | Barked: Sat Aug 18, '07 10:27am PST | | | | | | Hi Wile,
Thanks for sharing your story. I also spent a very very long time in the shelter during my young formative months and came out scared of the sun... no really!
The best trust builder that my 'rents have done is been extremely clear with all strangers that they are not allowed to pet me or look me in the eye. Because they have always wanted a friendly social dog this was very hard for them, but they are commited to it. It has been extremely helpful and I no longer am as fearful to walk next to or in the direction of a stranger because now I am confident they won't pet me. It took a while, but I'm doing much better. Since they started the no pet rule the time it takes me to warm up to someone is significantly less.
I also have lots of aunties and uncles and I know and remember them all so they don't have to do the no pet me or look at me until I get comfortable anymore. I've even been pet sat by them with no problems.
Paws,
Scouters | | | | |
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Max
Let Sleeping Dog- Lie. |
| | Barked: Sat Sep 29, '07 7:01pm PST | | | | | | I'm 9 years old, and I wasn't afraid of people until I was about a year old. Over the years I have become very good at moving just out of people's reach as they try to pet me. Some people say, "Oh, all dogs love me," and then they take it so personally when I prove them wrong! The pushier they are, the more scared I get. Mom and Dad tell strangers that if they ignore me, I'll become more curious about them and will eventually let them pet me. This is so true! I'll make friends with people so much more quickly if they pretend I'm not here!! Mom and Dad take me to the dog park and have people over at the house often so that I'll get used to strangers. I have definitely improved! | | | | |
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Mason
the way to my- heart is through- my belly |
| | Barked: Wed Oct 31, '07 8:07pm PST | | | | | | Mason came to me in a small truck that drove from Arkansas to New England. We bonded instantly but it became clear within the first few days that he was insecure and unsure about his new surroundings. Mason gets very nervous around new people, he'll slink down- growl a bit and try to run away. This leads people to think that he must've been abused and then they feel sorry for him.
I don't feel sorry for him at all. A year later, I've seen much improvement. He is still wary of strangers but if a treat is offered he will go right for it. And he has bonded with several of my closest friends and family. I've also noticed that he is more curious of new people, trying to sniff them as they pass by. I've read many books and have come to understand his fearful behavior. I've found it difficult though, to pass along the knowledge I've gained. Even after I tell people to just ignore him they still go ahead and try to pet him, then they take offense when he backs away. So frustrating. It just takes time really. | | | | |
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Scout: - Always in- our hearts
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| | Barked: Sun Nov 4, '07 4:32pm PST | | | | | | Aloha Max and Mason.
We share a lot of the same experience you do. I'd say the best thing the furless ones did to improve my shyness was be extremely strick with other furless ones about petting me. They used to feel bad about saying no to someone wanting to pet me since I am so darn cute, but then they saw how it kept on setting me back. Now they say in very stern voices to people that I can not be pet and not to look at me. Mom will even open the door step outside to give people instructions and ensure they know she's not kidding and then let them in the house. As soon as someone gives the "ooh all dogs love me" my mom says she's not kidding and will stand in front of me and the furless one. It's just not worth it. It's also been helpful for mom to tell folks to play hard to get with me. Walk in, ignore me and I'll be sniffin you in no time and will love ya forever.
In other good news, to combat the fears mom has no control over like the wind and cars and random noises mom has gotten me a Gentle Leader collar for walks... WHOA.. I'm a new pup on walks overnight! No more skiddish movements!
Paws!
Scouters | | | | |
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Roper (FUREVER HOME)
Shy one at heart |
| | Barked: Mon Nov 24, '08 7:02pm PST | | | | | | Hi Guys. I'm Roper. My spokes-hooman doesn't know as much about me as she'd like, but she knows I'm shy. I'm in a shelter right now. I am a little weary of people but love other friendly dogs very much. My spokes-hooman wanted to get us here to Dogster, and soon I'll be able to share more of my story.
I hope you're all happy and healthy.
Your new pal,
Roper | | | | |
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Coco
Rub my belly- paw-leeeeze
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| | Barked: Tue Nov 25, '08 3:54pm PST | | | | | | Woof! Woof!!  I can't believe I've been a member of Dogster for a little over 2 years now and I'm just finding your group. I was on Roper's page, saw the group and decided to join. It's always good to know you're not the only pup out here suffering from fear of people, things and/or noises.
I went through Hurrican Katrina with my owners. They didn't abandon me --- they handed me off to Atlanta Animal Rescue when they were headed out of New Orleans. My mom thinks they had to give me up because they didn't know where they were going and didn't know if they could take me. She's glad they didn't just leave me by myself, but she thinks it's possible the hurricane is the cause of my fear/shy issues --- it's also possible I wasn't socialized when I was a pup. She says only I know why I'm afraid and unfortunately, I can't tell her. So, we have to deal with now and now is what my mom is trying so hard to make better for me. She hates that I'm afraid --- she wants so much for me to just enjoy being a dog and have fun.
My mom tells people to ignore me as well. It's a shame, but there are so many people who just don't know how to take a shy dog --- they have a hard time understanding there are shy dogs out there and not every dog is going to warm up to you immediately.
My fears or things that make me jump range from someone's sudden movement, hearing noises up the street while we're out walking that make me want to turn around and go home, walking past a person or persons to thunderstorms, of course.
I do have a question for all of the pups who are shy around strangers -- are you better around strangers if they have a dog with them? I am. I guess it's because I'm paying more attention to the pup and not the human. | | | | |
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Roper (FUREVER HOME)
Shy one at heart |
| | Barked: Thu Nov 27, '08 8:14am PST | | | | | | Hi there Coco!
I'm definitely more comfortable around other dogs. I come out of my shell to play with doggies. I hope to one day get a furever home with another dog to hang around! | | | | |
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