How do I convince my friend that her dog needs more than just normal training?

Question

My friend has a 18 month old Kelpie cross. Back in November (Last year I know it was a long time ago) when I was staying with her her Dog was a normal happy puppy. She hadn't seen me for about 3 months but she was fine. When I visited her last weekend her dog had changed!

When I walked in she (the dog) was so scared she almost peed herself. She was hiding under the table and yapping, you know that high pitched scared yap. It took her an hour (And some food) to calm down but she still was not comfortable. She finally sat down near me and I went to pat her. This dog freaked out! Almost bit me.

I asked about it and all this started in about December but she has been taking her to obedience classes and apparently they are helping. She thinks it started because she saw the kid next door stare her dog down once around the time it all started.

Personally I think she was hit and HARD. Her reaction when I went to pat her was a tell tale sign of that. It must have been a stranger because when my friend patted her she was ok.

How do I tell her I think it's time to get real help not just obedience. It's been 8 months and if there is not much of a change with that I really don't think it is enough. Even if she has one session with a behaviorist.

Answer 1

The dog doesn't need training, the dog has had no good socialization. A dog that has been hit looks just like a fearful dog that isn't used to being around people. Your friend needs to socialize her dog more.

Answer 2

A dog doesn't have to have been hit or abused to be head shy. It could simply be a lack of proper socialization. I know of many dogs that have never been abused but were simply never socialized that were extremely head shy.

Answer 3

I don't know how to convince, but the dog just isn't comfortable around people, and maybe it's just cause it's shy. Maybe go to a dog park or something?  

Answer 4

That sounds like a neglected and possibly abused dog.  There is something very wrong.  Does anyone else live with the dog?  Do they ever board the dog?  Something is very wrong.  

If the problem is convincing your friend that this is serious try this http://canadianveterinarians.net/animal-...  

Answer 5

Tell your friend that she needs to get a grip of herself, and do whats best for her dog!

Answer 6

Severe fear like this will take time to overcome.  Her best bet is to continue with the obedience.. as it will help her dog gain confidence, and overcome fears as she is introduced into group session.

She could benefit from a behavoiralist tho, but even obedience classes are "better than nothing"

Just suggest to her casually that a behavoiralist may be able to offer better advice than a trainer, and it wouldnt be a bad idea to at least get an opinion.

Answer 7

This is not the sign of a dog that was abused or stared at. This is a sign of a dog with NO CONFIDENCE. This dog obviously has no clear leadership in its life, and therefore is highly anxious about having to be the "top dog" around the joint. Obedience will help, but the owners need to change their approach with this dog. If they don't step up to the plate and help her gain confidence and learn to relax, this poor dog will have stress related health issues and will wind up living in a lifelong nightmare.