• If you're a past member of the board, but can't recall your password any more, you don't need to set up a new account (unless you wish to). As long as you recall your old login name, you can log in with that user name then select 'forgot password' and the board will email you at your registration email, to let you reset your password.

will he become more sociable with age?

rocky

Well-known member
i wish vegas would be a little more sociable with people he is so scared of everyone he meets he is nearly 7 months do you think he will come out of this? he does not like to be picked up by anyone even me he just runs away, when my hubbie is leaving for work in the morning he bends down to speak to him and he just runs away comes back and runs away again he is like this with everyone, i am with him mostly all the time he is never left alone my teenage kids are great at looking after him if we need to go out somewhere, but the other day i had to go away for an hour somewhere so i left him with my parents he would not settle in their house when i went away, althouth he is used to their house my mum tried to give him a treat but he would not take it he kept looking out of the window looking for me and my mum said you could hear a little whimper coming from him, he also does not like you touching his head, where is the best place to touch him with affection?
 
Wow I'm dealing with the opposite and am struggling! Bella loves people and gets very upset if she can't go up and greet them.

I am also hoping the behviour becomes more "normal" with age.
 
Bella's behaviour is pure Cavalier.... with Vegas, have you tried the vet? To make sure there's no physical reason why he's being so wary and hand-shy? Though many dogs don't like being touched on the head - my own Holly doesn't. She's very happy with a scratch behind the ears on under the chin, cat style...
 
i wish vegas would be a little more sociable with people he is so scared of everyone he meets he is nearly 7 months do you think he will come out of this? he does not like to be picked up by anyone even me he just runs away, when my hubbie is leaving for work in the morning he bends down to speak to him and he just runs away comes back and runs away again he is like this with everyone, i am with him mostly all the time he is never left alone my teenage kids are great at looking after him if we need to go out somewhere, but the other day i had to go away for an hour somewhere so i left him with my parents he would not settle in their house when i went away, althouth he is used to their house my mum tried to give him a treat but he would not take it he kept looking out of the window looking for me and my mum said you could hear a little whimper coming from him, he also does not like you touching his head, where is the best place to touch him with affection?

The best place to touch him with affection is to lightly tickle his chest or chin, but let him approach people at his own speed. He sounds very shy - my Geordie was the same way as a pup, and still is to this day with most 'outsiders'. The best thing to do is to have family members sit on the floor and be calm, quiet and not too attentive. When he begins to seek affection on his own, then lightly touch his chin or chest, quietly praise him, and reward him with treats. Shy dogs require lots of patience; they can make progress as long as people allow them all the time they need and don't scare them back into their shells.

It may be just his temperament or it could be a physical problem as well. You might want to talk to the vet. Also, do you know the proper way to pick him up?

We thought Geordie had a temperament issue that made him shy, because we had India first and she was never shy. We took him to obedience and agility classes, and made some progress. It is only recently that we found one reason for Geordie's temperament and shyness issues - he has a mild case of hydrocephalus. One of the symptoms, which I didn't realize until recently, is the whites of his eyes are showing in the center, towards his nose, as shown in these photos:
331132880_2c9c417c54_o.jpg


164790958_79e4fa025e_o.jpg


Just a few months ago he was diagnosed with SM and mild hydrocephalus when he was CT scanned for the PSOM study. He is now taking medicine for his health problems.

Long before we knew the cause, we had accepted Geordie as he is - very loving and devoted with us, but not very comfortable with 'outsiders'. He is capable of forming strong relationships with others, if they are patient and kind - he loves Melissa, who owns/runs the kennel we use. He lets her pick him up, pet him, and he gives her kisses and seeks her affection. :flwr:
 
Last edited:
When you say your husband bends down to say goodbye I wonder if he feels that's a threatening position. Would it maybe help to sit on the floor, down at his level and let him come to you? Just a thought. Definitely agree with petting on the chest, both of mine prefer that and will duck a pet on the head.
 
thanks for the comments i am going to the vet toay about his yeast infection he has had in his ears hopefully it has cleared up although i dont think it has he has already had 3 lots of drops from 3 different vets that i have seen for them i am going to tell them i do not want the same drops again as they dont seem to be working i will also mention his shyness to people and see what she sais but i'm afraid i dont have much faith in my vet i really must look at trying to find another vet in the area
 
If the pup has had reoccurring problems with ear infections, that could be another reason he doesn't want to be cuddled. It hurts! People instinctively want to pet, pat, and cuddle a dog's head. If his ears hurt--and if he's tired of getting drops and people fussing with his painful ears--it makes sense that he isn't sure about getting close to people.

Poor kid. :(

Petting on the chest and under the chin will help, but he'll have to learn that that's what people are going to do.
 
Yep as the two Cathys have already alluded to, some dogs are very uncomfortable with people looming over them of coming down over their heads to pat them.

Maybe you could try arming your guests with treats and ask them to either ignore the puppy until he comes to them, or to squat down low & offer him a treat. Also, ask them not to stare into his eyes as this can be perceived as a challenge. If there is an doggy obedience group in your area you might also consider taking him along as these are wonderful for socialising & giving heaps of confidence.
 
Alfs is the same,he doesnt want to know anyone outside,he only shows interest to kids.He loves the kids that come in the house to play with Ella.But thats about it,he just wants to be with me.
 
thanks for comments i guess i'll just have to be patient i was at the pet shop today and everyone was making such a fuss of him as they do when they are so small and cute but he was terrified hiding behind me the man in the shop even tried giving him a treat but he was having none of it
 
sorry forgot to mention went to vets yesterday and at last his ears seem fine she just told me to his left ear has a tiny bit of wax but looks almost clear and to just clean them about twice a week with epi otic. today when i was at the pet shop i bought veterinary antibacterial ear drops and cleanser and they have a dropper in them which makes it very easy to apply it helps to remove wax and tissue debris from the ear has anyone tried them i must say it gives your dogs ears a lovely clean smell, like disinfectant especially good for those who have smelly ears
 
My little Dixie was timid when we first got her. She would only come to me, and after a while my husband, but no one else. She would coward down and act like they were going to kill her. We started her in obedience class with other dogs and people. At first, she wouldn't even take a treat from the trainer, just me. The trainer encouraged us to take her out as much as possible , to as many places as possible and expose her to lots of different people and places. We took her to the dog park, city parks, pet stores, relative's homes, and kept her in obedience classes. When people came over, we encouraged them to try to approach her,and give her a chin rub or pet. It took a while, but now she is a different dog. It all worked. She now goes up to people ALL the time, she jumps in their laps. etc. She might be tooooo friendly now!!!! Like I said, it did not happen overnight, but with lots of patience and exposure, they can overcome shyness. Good Luck. Judy and Dixie PS She just turned a year in March.
 
Back
Top