Powder Puff afraid of people.

    • Gold Top Dog

    Powder Puff afraid of people.

    I haven't been here for a long time. But I know this is the place I can turn to if I need help with a dog.

    My boyfriend has two chinese cresteds. One is a hairless, I'm guessing around 3 or 4 years old. She (Lexi) has some health issues popping up left and right, but she is just a joy to be around. Very friendly once she warms up to people, and normally excited to see kids or adults. The other is the powder puff. She's about 3 years old. Her name is Dotty. Karl rescued her from a kennel about a year ago. She has yet to warm up to any human other than Karl.

    Every once in a while she will come cuddle with me, but that's normally when Karl is sitting right next to me. The problem is she...

    Is afraid of people

    Screams when picked up or touched 

    Runs aways from you if you go near her

     

    I would like to break her of some fears. She can't be taken on walks. Karl has tried many times. So we got her a comfortable harness, and I would like to start walking her. Even if it's one block and possibly work up to long walks daily. But I'm worried about her backing out of the harness (even if it's tight, I've seen dogs back out) she will not come to me. Neither will she come for treats, steak, chicken, eggs... doesn't matter.

    Dotty doesn't bite. I have yet to see her even show her teeth. She is just terrified of being touched. She is not injured, she has been seen by a vet many times. Karl is very good about keeping them healthy. They are fed Evo twice a day.

    Are there any suggestions?

    Thank you much,

    Shannon

    • Gold Top Dog

     Basic obedience builds confidence in an incredible way. I would start her on clicker training, and just build her up. constantly. She'll probably never be a super friendly, loves to be touched dog like my Ena is, but.... She can learn to accept basic handling from friendly strangers.