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My lovely cavvy is a wimp

seashore84

New member
Hi all,

I'm new here and I have a question about my cavalier.

His name is Teddy, he is 9 months old and the sweetest dog you will ever meet.

One problem, for some reason he is terrified of water. He won't even walk through a tiny puddle or wet patch on the ground, to the point he chokes himself for a minute on the lead just to avoid it.

Any noise he just barks at and runs away, even if we drop something by accident.

Even new people, he will initially goes up to them tail wagging to say hi, but as soon as they bend down to say hello he gets scared and hides behind us.

Also dogs, he just runs away all scared.

Any help would be greatly appriciated.
 
Hi all,

I'm new here and I have a question about my cavalier.

His name is Teddy, he is 9 months old and the sweetest dog you will ever meet.

One problem, for some reason he is terrified of water. He won't even walk through a tiny puddle or wet patch on the ground, to the point he chokes himself for a minute on the lead just to avoid it.

Any noise he just barks at and runs away, even if we drop something by accident.
Even new people, he will initially goes up to them tail wagging to say hi, but as soon as they bend down to say hello he gets scared and hides behind us.

Also dogs, he just runs away all scared.

Any help would be greatly appriciated.[/QUOTE

I wouldn't say he's a wimp, they are the most beautiful natured dogs you could ever have. He is only young yet. Jasper doesn't like getting his feet wet if it's raining and will walk anywhere he can to keep out of the rain. Even when we first took him to the beach he wouldn't go in the sea. You should see him now he loves it. Just give him time.
 
I agree with Deb...he is not a wimp. Brooklyn hates water too! I just laugh and enjoy watching her navigate puddles and things. Every once and a while she will dip a toe in just to check and then you see her almost go "nope, I forgot...I hate water!". I just work with her to desensitize...so, bringing treats when its raining, my hubby feeding treats when we do bath time, if a wave washes up on her feet I bend down with a treat and say "good girl"...and she is getting better. I just make it as positive as I can...but she still would rather be dry! Ha. Brooklyn is almost 7 months, so similar to you, she is just a puppy.

As far as the people go, has she been to puppy school and had a lot of socialisation? And socialisation with people? It sounds like that is all she needs. What I would do, is if someone comes to pet her, just give them a treat and say that she is a shy pup and to give her a treat before the pet (or even just a treat and walk away). This will help her associate strangers with good and positive experiences. Also, just get her out a lot...to a cafe, or just walk somewhere that you know people will be and just sit with her for 15 minutes. Let her absorb the sounds and people. Ask some friends to participate with you doing the treat training.

So don't worry...she is just a curious cav :) but still doesn't know yet what is "safe" and what is "danger", so just help her along :rah:

Oh, and Brooklyn is hitting the "I'm scared, I bark" phase. I have been told it is adolescence a bit when they enter a new "fear phase". Just make sure you don't reinforce it (like if she barks if you drop something, don't go coddle her or talk to her...just ignore like it is no big deal. She will get your cue that there is nothing to be afraid of then).

Welcome to the board too! Make sure to post some pics of Teddy soon!
 
My Harley is like that he hates water and he scares himself to death if we sneeze. He was well socialised from when he was a puppy and we do about 4 training classes a week. He also only likes calm dogs, when the dogs are to full on he hides behind me.

But when he gets into the Agility or Obedience ring he does me proud. He do anything for his mum.
 
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