I have quite a few dogs come into class that are just too nervous to eat treats, play with toys, etc. Most of them become very much comfortable by the end of the day, if not, the next class-- but I have this one in class who's close to the end of the 8 weeks-- and she still won't eat.
She's a Shih tzu, and she was a puppy mill rescue. In class, and walking around, she's fine. Fairly relaxed, sometimes sleeping. She doesn't shake, she has her blankie there, she doesn't do anything but just sit there and watch. The most motivating thing to her, is cheese-- as well as every other treat we've ever tried-- Nothing. She just doesn't want it. She's even gone as far as to pee on them! Toys? Nothing. She just sits there. No noise, no distress, nada.
She's been in for about 6 weeks, and very little improvement. They've even refrained from feeding her all day before class. It's certainly making the obedience part of class pretty difficult! As well as having new people be the source of "good things."
Any suggestions for this one?
Other than her, what are some other effective methods you guys have found to getting dogs comfortable with new places, or being in public?
She's a Shih tzu, and she was a puppy mill rescue. In class, and walking around, she's fine. Fairly relaxed, sometimes sleeping. She doesn't shake, she has her blankie there, she doesn't do anything but just sit there and watch. The most motivating thing to her, is cheese-- as well as every other treat we've ever tried-- Nothing. She just doesn't want it. She's even gone as far as to pee on them! Toys? Nothing. She just sits there. No noise, no distress, nada.
She's been in for about 6 weeks, and very little improvement. They've even refrained from feeding her all day before class. It's certainly making the obedience part of class pretty difficult! As well as having new people be the source of "good things."
Any suggestions for this one?
Other than her, what are some other effective methods you guys have found to getting dogs comfortable with new places, or being in public?