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 not bonding with my puppy
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| Author | Topic: not bonding with my puppy |
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Oliver New Member  Posts: 2 |
posted 02-13-2004 06:22 AM
 
Hi! I was wondering if anyone could help me with a problem I've been having with my new puppy. We got him from a shelter about a month ago, and he's a beautiful rottweiler/lab mix. The problem is that he doesn't seem to be bonding with us. Its clear that he likes us (he wags his tail and plays with us) but never gets really excited or seems happy to see us. Very often he'll see us and walk in the other direction. Its almost like we're a piece of furniture or a toy that he's sometimes interested in, sometimes not. This has been really difficult for my boyfriend and I, because it seems that he doesn't really like us that much. We're trying all the usual bonding things -- playing with him, walks, food, treats, etc. and we're going to puppy kindergarden. He's not qutie an "independent" personality because he likes to play with us, he's not quite "aloof" because he's been very easy to train, so we can't quite figure out how to handle him. If anyone has had similar experiences or can suggest anything that could help us, I would be extremely thankful. How can I get my puppy to love me? Thanks! IP: Logged |
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honeybear Member  Posts: 926 |
posted 02-13-2004 08:13 AM
many times shelter pets have been abused - you didnt say how old he is. And that causes them to be aloof with humans. Wylie our dog was a stray and she was so independant, she didnt want to be touched, it took almost 2 years for her to warm up to us. Now she is a snugglebun! and cant get enough attention, She was an older dog though about 11/2years old when we got her. Im sure he just know what to expect so far and that it will change good luck honeybear IP: Logged |
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PinkPoodleSparkles Member Posts: 67 |
posted 02-13-2004 08:18 AM
Time.. thats exactly what he needs. You see if he was rescued from a Shelter, chances are that he didnt have alot of love in his life, and he probably didnt TRUST anyone. He probably hasnt gotten used to the idea of having an actual home, and an actual family. I would give him time, pet him and talk to him, when he is playing with you give him a treat and pet him and talk to him. Sooner or later he will figure out you love him and then he will trust you and his new home. It just takes some time thats all.. Consider him an orphan that you found on the street who hates everyone because their parents abandoned them and they dont trust anyone. It is kinda like the same thing. (i say kinda so dont freak out! lol.) I would LOVE to see a pic of him!!! stephanie IP: Logged |
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Samsintentions Member Posts: 944 |
posted 02-13-2004 10:11 AM
Yes, lots of time and patience. He's been in the shelter. so people have come and gone fromhis life, and he expects the same from you. When you get home, shower him with love and treats, and let him know he's "HOME". GOod luck. IP: Logged |
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Oliver New Member Posts: 2 |
posted 02-13-2004 10:47 AM
Thanks so much for the encouragement. I got him from a shelter that rescues dogs from the streets of Puerto Rico, so its possible he's never even been around people (besides the people who rescued him and the vet). I got him when he was 3.5 months old, and now he is 4.5 months old. I'll just keep showering him with love. Any advice for what to do when he doesn't respond (ie just looks away and/or walks away)? IP: Logged |
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Nik Member Posts: 115 |
posted 02-13-2004 12:09 PM
Hi, When you say he's not responding do you mean to you calling him or just to you standing there expecting him to be interested in you? You soon learn that unless there's something in it for them they'll go off and find something else to do that's more exciting lol. Ok, here's an excersise to try... You need to get someone to hold the dog for you... goto this person with the dog, get them to hold his collar, don't worry about him sitting or 'wanting' to stay with them, the more he struggles, the better at this stage. Show him a treat and say his name to him, then run away. How far you go is upto you, but a few feet is fine to start. Stop and turn to face the dog. Give it a second then kneel down, give it another second then call the dog in a really silly, excitable way holding the treat out to him. As he gets to you make him sit and give him his treat. Big fusses to follow. We were taught this as a 'loving recall'. It's a trick to get them to 'want' to come back to you when they're off the lead. For this, at the same time you give them their treat you slip a finger under their collar. I've used it quite a bit (don't over use it tho) and it's never failed once... yet lol. You can build on in so much once you've got them interested in your silly recall. Good luck. IP: Logged |
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susan_cude@hotmail.com Member Posts: 813 |
posted 02-13-2004 09:46 PM
I learned something again, even though this wasn't meant for me...Thanks! Oliver, Good for you! recueing that puppy... You got real good advise here, and I know you'll do fine. Sincerely, Susan IP: Logged |
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Oskarsmom Member Posts: 19 |
posted 02-13-2004 10:05 PM
Why do you slip a finger under their collar while giving the dog a treat?? IP: Logged |
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Jamiya Member Posts: 1392 |
posted 02-14-2004 10:51 AM
It gets them used to it for later on. Usually when you are calling a dog to you, it's because you need them to put a leash on or something. Dogs learn this very quickly and are experts at coming but not getting caught. If they are used to having you slip a finger under their collar it makes it easier later. You should also never use "Come" for a bad thing. Don't call your dog to you to yell at him or take him to the vet, etc. Even ending an off-leash play session with "Come" followed by snapping a leash on and going home is a bad idea - the dog will learn very quickly to ignore you. You have to make the reward for coming to you better than whatever the dog was doing, so he will always WANT to obey. For instance, call him to you and snap the leash on, but then play something really fun with the leash on or give him a really tastey treat or something - that way "Come" doesn't just mean "all the fun ends now."
IP: Logged |
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duke2004 Member Posts: 13 |
posted 02-16-2004 12:32 AM
Gosh what great advice, I am going to try this technique with my little pup! I know it wasn't my post, but it was really interestng. IP: Logged |
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MyPetTherapyDog Member Posts: 157 |
posted 02-16-2004 06:21 PM
Thanks, Very informative information on recall!! I shall try!!! Great advice in this post! Susan IP: Logged |
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Kathy74 Member Posts: 29 |
posted 02-17-2004 07:59 AM
When we got our first dog, Serene, she was an abused rescue who had lived in at least 5 places (including the kill shelter she was dumped at!) It seemed like she thought this was just another stop. After a few weeks, she started to warm up, and now she can't get close enough to us! People laugh when she gets excited to see us, because her butt wags so hard she can hardly stand up. It did take constant reassuring at the beginning, but it has definately been worth it. I still whisper in her ear evry night that we love her sooo much and that she will be loved for the rest of her life. It sounds silly and I know she doesn't understand english, but I think she gets it by the tone. I hope it works out for you and your pup. Who knows how many stops he's had before he made it to your home. IP: Logged |
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