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Originally Posted by beau'smom
HI- I am Beau's mom and this is my first time here. I recently adopted Beau and I have a couple questons I wonder if anyone could answer. I've always loved dogs but could only recently adopt because I am now (finally!) a home owner. Beau is a medium sized mixed breed male that I got from a shelter. They think he is part bernese and part lab. He is extremely good natured and obediant but somewhat fearful. He doesn't really play and he is not interested in going outside. He just wants to be by me 24/7. I want him to be able to relax and have fun and be a dog. Also, he is a picky eater and we are working on that but any suggestions would be helpful. He is housebroken too but only seems have to go have once a day! I don't know if he is holding it cause he is afraid or what but this can't be good for his health. Does anybody know of any training methods I can use to help him relax? Or does it just take some time? I've only had him for a week. Thanks, Beau's mom
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Welcome to the bubbler.
I am a board member for a dog rescue orginization, and I can give you some input, although by far, I am no paid expert, nor do I claim to know all
Typically, shelter dogs must build trust before their true behavior comes out. It takes time for that to happen, and some dogs we have seen take as long as a year to become comfortable. It all depends on their personalities and previous environment(s).
Dogs are pack animals, and tend to do as their masters do. If he enjoys following you around, go out and walk, or goof around in the yard, he'll probably just follow you around for a while, but as he learns to trust both you and himself, he will relax more.
Someone mentioned stuctured feeding already, and I agree. My dogs are so into meal times that you can set your watch by them! If he's fussy with a brand of food you choose, try adding beef broth, or peanut butter, something he really does enjoy, and then wean him off of it. Structured bathroom breaks are a great idea as well, he may only go once per day because he got used to it in the shelter. Give it some time, and this should change.
Hope this helps,
Rob
