A Rescued Dog’s Weird Behavior, Part 4, Building Confidence

Posted on Oct 07 in Rescued Small Dogby Jeff K.Print

This is the last in a 4-part series about how to cope with and resolve your rescued dog’s weird behavior. By the end of this article, you will know how to build up your dog’s confidence. It should be a lot of fun for the both of you.
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In the last two articles, we talked about the value of ignoring weird behavior and encouraging good behavior as a substitute. Now we are at the point where you will help your dog build confidence. An unstressed, worry-free dog has no reason to engage in coping behavior

Confidence Is

When I use the word confident, I am talking about a dog that focuses on doing what a dog does naturally without worrying about negative reactions from people. I don’t mean a confident dog is one that pees all over your house without worry. I mean, your dog can go outside, have fun, and not expect to be punished for being himself.

Shyness

Many, but certainly not all, rescued dogs are extremely shy. This shyness comes from not knowing where a dog fits in among people. Many rescued dogs are abused or abandoned for reasons that are not apparent to the dog. When a dog can’t make sense of why its being punished, the dog shuts down emotionally. Behaviorists call this “Whipped Dog Syndrome.” Some rescued dogs end up in rescue situations because they are naturally shy. I know it may seem ridiculous to you, but some people reject dogs that do not live up their expectations of a lively pet.

Other rescued dogs display a lack of confidence by behaving aggressively. It seems counter-intuitive. A dog lacking confidence can hold the world at bay by threatening anything and anyone that gets too close. Dogs displaying this type of behavior are known as “sharp shy.”

The Treatment

Luckily for us, the treatment for shy and sharp shy dogs is the same: build confidence. Here’s how to do it.

First, identify activities that your dog enjoys. The only way to do this is to expose your dog to a wide variety of situations and monitor his behavior. The “go” sign is alertness without fear:

One of the best ways to introduce your dog to a new activity is to lead him on a loose leash. If he pulls ahead, he wants to give it a try. If he lags behind, he’s not sure. If he stalls or turns the opposite direction, it’s a no-go for now. If your dog hesitates, you don’t need to retreat immediately, but you should not force him into the activity. Give him time to decide.

Expect–Nothing

Now is as good a time as any to talk about your expectations. Get rid of them. I mean, don’t force your dog to do anything just because you believe its good for him. For example, just because you believe your water dog should dive into the lake for a swim the first time he sees the water does not mean your water dog is ready to swim right now. Maybe he just wants to stretch out on the shore and enjoy the sun. A shy dog needs time and breathing room to explore new activities. When he’s ready to go, he’ll tell you; and he may never be ready. That’s okay, because the last thing your shy dog needs is to be forced into another situation that makes him uncomfortable. He’s already been there and done that.

On the flip side, don’t worry and fret your dog might not enjoy an activity. Go in with an open mind and give your dog a chance to adjust. If the activity is his cup of tea, he’ll come around in time. Let him go at his own pace.

And please don’t become the classic soccer mom or soccer dad, shuttling your dog around to five special events a day to “stimulate his growth.” His job, and your job, is to adjust to a normal family lifestyle, not to transform him into a canine wonder dog.

Places to Be. Things to Try.

Here is a short list of activities that many dogs find enjoyable. (Notice how simple these are:)

• Walking through the neighborhood.
• Hiking in the woods.
• Walking on the beach.
• Jogging with you.
• Playing fetch.
• Getting tickled.
• Playing hide and seek with a bone, a toy, or with you.
• Chasing rabbits or birds in an open field.
• Jumping in and out of the water at the beach.
• Swimming.

Find what works for your dog and let him dive in when he’s ready. Over time, nature will take its course. Your dog’s confidence will build and displace his worries. Weird coping behavior will diminish because it will no longer be necessary.

Take Action:

1. Start exploring simple and enjoyable activities with your dog.
2. Note what your dog enjoys and what your dog avoids. Emphasize enjoyment and forget about the rest.
3. Watch your dog blossom as he builds confidence.

Tell Us What You Think:
What kinds of activities does your dog enjoy?
Do you have a story about a rescued dog that improved as he explored and began to enjoy life?
Share your story with the rest of our community. We’d love to hear from you.

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