Young male nervousness

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Young male nervousness

Posted : 9/12/2008 12:28:33 PM

I have been working with Cooper to get ready for showing in conformation, and we have gone to class, which was good because now I have found out that he doens't like having his hind end touched by strangers! He's fine at home, but at class he was nervous even with me touching it, petting his back end and hind legs and touching his tail. He's a lab; he's very friendly and would never bite anyone out of this fear, but he does sit down, which is bad! What are some good ideas for getting him over this, especially since he doesn't do it at home? I will continue to go to class and reward for good behavior, but what else can I do?

VanMorrison

Posted : 9/12/2008 12:44:29 PM

I would suggest that when you have him out socializing that you invite your freinds/family to give him a pat on the butt and a treat. This is, of course, assuming that you know people willing to do this.

Start slowly with people that he knows, a very light touch / treat and work from there. He is a lab so he'll probably learn to do anything for a crumb of a treat! Big Smile

Sera_J

Posted : 9/12/2008 12:47:41 PM

I'd take him to places like Petco (or anywhere you will encounter strangers), don't ask for a stack (just as long as he's standing. worry about the stack later) but ask a stranger to give him a cookie, then as they give him cookies YOU touch him down his legs and back, just stroking, talking hapilly. If he starts to get nervous try to keep him involved with the cookies, but DO NOT REWARD the nervousness, but do not allow that to mean he's stopped being touched either! (as long as you don't think he's going to bite... if there is even the slightest chance he could bite, or giving even the slightest sign.. in which case have a FRIEND that you both trust go with you to assist.)

As he gets better with you doing it ask a stranger to touch his head, and back, and give cookies, slowly build up to where he's accepting his legs touched. Also, you may want to see a vet, he could be sore.

I did this with my show dog (taking him to strange places), I still do in fact. I take him in to strange places, stack him ask a stranger to touch him all over and then give him a cookie. Yes. Judges won't give a cookie, but if most people do... I assume that can't hurt! I in fact just did it at the dog park yesterday. I also took him to places like out front Costco (loud noises, strange things going on) and did it there. Socialize the heck out of him :)

Do not forget to handle his testicles, too. I've seen dogs sit down and another snap at the judge. They were both excused from the ring, I hear the dog that snapped was in large amounts of trouble as the Judge reported it.