Very nervous, shaky doxie

[rs_richmond]

My wife and I just bought a 2 year old chocolate doxie from a breeder in alabama. It has been three days now and she still acts very weird.

If we put her in her crate she backs all the way back and will not come out unless we get her out. when we take her out for walks on the leash she just tries to bolt behind a bush to hide. I hardly ever see her eat or drink from her bowls and she ususlly just burrows herself under a blanket on the couch or hides under the bed. If we go to interact with her she shows no aggression at all, but she is very gittery with her tail between her legs. The only time she acts like a normal dog is when my wife and I go to bed. She jumps up there with us and plays around with us for a bit before we sleep.

It's upsetting seeing her like this. I'm quite sure that she is not sick. I do know however that she was not raised with too much contact with any other creatures than other doxies and that may have something to do with it. She is 2 years old. She is just very unsocial and seemingly nervous.

She is not mindful of our other dog at all

I would like to stress that she shows no agression at all, just very nervouse and scared at times.

Anyone have any input or suggestions?

 

[skyeboxer]

3 days is not a lot of time for the new girl to settle down. Give her a month or so before you start to worry. In the meantime, not saying you do, but don't baby her. Don't feed into her fears by rewarding them. Go about your daily biz, feed her, make sure she's out when she needs to be and let her find her feet.

 

[rs_richmond]

thankyou for the kind reply. any others?

 

[squirtsmom]

I will ask my daughter, who also has a doxie. wonder if she was ever abused?

 

[rs_richmond]

Highly doubtful she was abused, I actually met the breeder who had her since birth. She was going to be used for breeding but never came into season. I do know that she had limited interaction with humans though. most of her interaction was with other doxies

 

[Doberluv]

Lack of socialization as a puppy from birth to 12-16 weeks will cause this fearfulness and shyness. All you can do is let her get used to you and her new environment and then go from there. I wouldn't force her to make up to anyone, but if she instigates it, fine. She may well never be confident and outgoing. What kind of breeder is this who had her for this long without socializing her? This causes extreme mal-adjustment in dogs. Maybe later, once she's use to her new family and home, you'll be able to little by little work on it...gradually and gently.

I agree with Skyeboxer. Be careful not to inadvertantly reinforce that cowering and shyness. When she does show a little bravery, that's when you want to give her quiet, low key sweet talking or whatever she does like. She may come around a little bit after a few weeks of being with you. But she may have a problem with new people, dogs and other things out in the world.

Try rewarding what you see that you like with something she really likes....maybe a very yummy treat...just toss it over to her. But again....be careful not to reward and fuss over her when she's acting particularily fearful.

Keep us posted.