Help with socializing Gwen!!!!

Hi all..gwen is now 17 weeks old and doing pretty good! She just finished getting her vaccinations two weeks ago so until last week we were not able to have her out for walks to socialize with other people/dogs..during this time period she has become extremely scared of other dogs and somewhat afraid of other people! I had her out for a walk and a big dog (boxer) who was very friendly walked by us and then came to say hi..gwen got really scared and got really really low to the ground with her tail in between her legs..and she actually peed twice! It was so upsetting for me to watch (probably more upsetting for me than her) at first she keeps her distance and then she gets a little closer but is absolutely terrified! Another friendly dog that we came across came up to us and gwen reacted the same way but she let the other dog sniff her and just stood there. Before this she was fine, actually happy to run up and say hi to other people..today i took her on a walk and we walked by 2 people and she got all scared with her tail in between her legs and her fur all along her back stood up..once they started petting her she was fine..any tips for socializing her?? Besides obviously continuing to get her around other dogs and people? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

She might not be scared, might just be submissive. Lowering herself is to let other dogs know she isn't a threat, and the peeing might be a submissive gesture too. She's still small, she's probably just being overly-cautious because other dogs are bigger than her. Loki was like that with dogs bigger than him, but then we met a very friendly Bulldog x Boxer who played with Loki and after that he's loved big dogs ever since. Just continue exposing her to friendly dogs and she'll get used to it. I will also say, don't give her affection (and don't let anyone else give her affection) while she's scared. If you praise a dog when its scared, it thinks you're rewarding it for being scared, as opposed to comforting it. Let her be around people with them all being calm and normal, maybe get them to offer her a treat, and she should come around

Thanks Tara! I did read somewhere else not to give her affection while this happening...easy said than done! The first time i did give her affection without even thinking about it..i have since stopped doing it..even though it is so hard because i just want to make sure shes okay and let her know im there and will not let anything happen to her! But i know she probably doesnt see it that way and i def do not want her to think im praising her for scared behavior! How about after we are away from the situation..like when 2 min later after we have walked away from the dog/person/situation..is it okay to give her praise and affection then?

It is very hard, but unfortunately it's one of the differences between dogs and people. Dogs take more comfort in knowing that the person they look up to isn't scared. The more normal you act, the more she'll realise "Oh, OK, it's not something to be scared of." It's fine to give her as much praise and affection you want as long as her body language suggests she's not scared

Gotcha! Thanks Tara, I appreciate the help!

Awww poor little bubba Great advice from Tara.. If you know of a dog that is really calm around others to socialise her with first it can really help..

Logan was very scared around certain things as a pup, I feel the best way to deal with it is socialise around the fears when possible.

Also, I know it's hard but try not to making a fuss of her being nervous as it can make it worse.

Aww poor gwen, I'm sure if you use the advice given, she will improve, good luck

It will come follow the advice given it's what we have done and Otis is starting to come around. Keep us updated. I don't know if you do but just for your consideration we go to a puppy class and 15mins before the class all the dogs get to have a good sniff and say hello before hand it's really helped Otis.

Great advice form the others. Although Bacchus has always been a very self-assured wee dog he would show submission to older, bigger dogs during the first few seconds of introduction, then when he had ascertained that they were not a threat he would start to play with them. He has however never been shy of people. Mind you he has been VERY heavily socialised since about the age of 9 weeks.
She will get better the more you socialise her ( slowly ) as they are a very gregarious breed.

Here is a link that will help with body language

http://staffy-bull-terrier.com/dog_body_language

Really just keep socializing her with as many different types of people and dogs as you can and she will gain confidence. Suki was very nervous at that age as well

Peeing, tail low, head down or laying down - rolling on her bk are all signs of submission...which is good - rather that then her being a barking defensive pup !

When I walk mine - I make a point of asking other dog owners ' is it ok for the dogs to say hello ' 99% of the time it's a yes. This brief encounter is great, low key, few licks n sniffs. Keep it normal. Any anxiety u feel is transmitted down the lead to ur pup.

Tank met a 10wk old lab this morning. He had a sniff n lick whilst the pup was chewing his ear n trying to jump on him ! The pup then rolled onto her back - super submissive ! It was a great encounter for the pup and the owner was quite taken with Tank saying how friendly and gentle he is.

Jackieb wrote:Peeing, tail low, head down or laying down - rolling on her bk are all signs of submission...which is good - rather that then her being a barking defensive pup !

When I walk mine - I make a point of asking other dog owners ' is it ok for the dogs to say hello ' 99% of the time it's a yes. This brief encounter is great, low key, few licks n sniffs. Keep it normal. Any anxiety u feel is transmitted down the lead to ur pup.

Tank met a 10wk old lab this morning. He had a sniff n lick whilst the pup was chewing his ear n trying to jump on him ! The pup then rolled onto her back - super submissive ! It was a great encounter for the pup and the owner was quite taken with Tank saying how friendly and gentle he is.

Definitely an ambassador for the breed is Tank. I have had a couple of our regular dog walking acquaintances confess that they didn't use to like staffs because of their bad rep but have changed their mind since getting to know Bacchus.

Thanks everyone for the great advice! I will continue to introduce her to as many friendly dogs as possible! I know i also need to work on being calmer because me being all stressed out and nervous can make her more scared/unsure! I had some idiot say to me "oh my god, shes mean!" I was like are you serious?? she is 4 months old and just unsure about other dogs because she hasnt had much contact with them!

I was also considering taking her to some puppy classes to help with the socialization and also get some training at the same time!

Puppy classes are brilliant as long as you choose the right ones for you

Honey nearly always sits or lays down when others dogs come near. She has done this since I got her. She then let's all the other dogs smell her first then she will say hello back. I agree plenty of socialisation. I also agree on always asking the other dog owners if it's ok or someone said I had a good one of saying 'is your dog friendly'. Good luck am sure all will be fine

Thanks everyone! I think i really need to find a calm/friendly dog that Gwen can see a couple times a week..that way every dog we see isnt completely random! I will be on the lookout for a puppy friend for her!

Tara wrote:Puppy classes are brilliant as long as you choose the right ones for you

Completely agree here - We started an 8 week course and it just wasn't for us and they didn't incorporate much socialisation, so I think Otis lost out here. So if you do consider go and watch some lessons at different places