help help help! need advice about my fearful corgi
My little girl, Skittles, is so uncorgi-like to me. She rarely barks (not that that's bad...), she doesn't have a lot of interest in toys, she's not incredibly food motivated, and, most importantly, she's fearful of things like cameras, loud noises, and zoomy objects (roller blades, skateboards, bikes).
How do I alter this fearful behavior? Most of the advice I've seen/received focuses on using treats and/or toys, but, like I said, she's not too interested in those things.
HELP! It's breaking my heart to see her so scared.
How do I alter this fearful behavior? Most of the advice I've seen/received focuses on using treats and/or toys, but, like I said, she's not too interested in those things.
HELP! It's breaking my heart to see her so scared.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sunni A. on
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Does she like non-toy chewies like Bully Sticks? Is she motivated by praise and petting? In the past for dogs that are scared of bikers and motorcyclers, even if we got them at an older age, I always just would walk them along busy streets constantly, and usually in 2 weeks they were ignoring the zoomers and focusing on sniffing, peeing, etc. It also helped when my sister (or whoever else, someone my dog knows) would ride around on a bike or skateboard (skateboards are so loud), because the dog would learn to trust the equipment. We would let the dogs sniff and touch zoomy, loud things (vacuum, etc) all the time. We'd flip the vacuum on its back, flip the skateboard around, so they realize these things are not animals, but just things like chairs or tvs that can be investigated. But if Skittles' fears are severely deep, my advice is worthless, and 2 weeks of DIY training may not work.
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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on
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My corgi, Buffy, was pretty fearful too. Obedience training and a little just for fun agility helped too. She would not be enticed to do the teeter toter but loved tunnels once we got her to try them. She was never brave but she improved a lot after a couple of Obedience class sessions. It is important not to reassure her when she is frightened. Just go about your business and give her lots of attention when she is relaxed. I do think it helped her that my other corgi Sparty was very brave. She was not really big on toys either but I put a little spray cheese inside a cow bone and she loved that. (not too much cheese) She was very very sweet natured and we loved her a lot even though there was no way she was ever going to herd anything or chase animals out of the garden!
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Permalink Reply by Mike, Susan, Wally,Oliver & Eva! on
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Wally turns into a completely different dog when there's anything fast paced coming at him or past him as well. He also gets very protective and barks when intimidating looking strangers approach. I've tried having him sit and stay and walking the other way, basically anything I can to try to control him but he gets so excited that he whimpers in the end as if to say "mommy! mommy! help me! they're getting away!" Please....if you have any suggestions from others as well, pass it on this way!
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Permalink Reply by Josh on
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My corgi, Lily is similarly skittish. The only toys I have been able to get her to play with are squeaky stuffed toys.. and even then it is situational i.e., only when she's in a good mood. Lily is also scared of the vacuum cleaner, thunder, and noisy motorcycles.
Does Skittles shiver? Lily starts shivering and she won't start eating. The only way I have found to remedy this is a quick romp outside or a trip in my truck, which is her favorite thing. Let us know if you figure something out..
Also, hello from a fellow citizen of Sugar Land! I just graduated from UH last spring and I now live in Austin. However I've lived my whole life down there and go back often.
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Permalink Reply by Sam on
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We get corgis in rescue with similar behaviors. Typically this is due to lack of early handling/socialization. Sometimes I think there is a genetic component involved. Many dogs with proper handling/exposure do get beyond this. Some remain fearful to a point their entire lives. As for treats you may have to up the ante. Perhaps small bites of cheese, chicken or even steak may be a bit more enticing. They way you behave when she is fearful can also play a big part on how she reacts. If you coddle her at these times you are really reinforcing the behavior. I would work on her environmental training in very small steps. Perhaps taking her to a small training class, walk with one friend and a nice dog at the park. Try to offer plenty of exercise prior to her exposures. Sometimes anxietys are due to lack of exercise. Training will also help as she will learn that you are taking the lead and she can feel most safe with your decisions. Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Sky and Lyla on
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I don't have a lot of advice, but I just wanted to let you know that I can sympathize with you. My corgi girl is the least Corgi-like Corgi I've ever met! She is not at all active, not food motivated or even food interested, and doesn't particularly care what I want or don't want her to do. She is also fearful of noises. I just joke that her huge ears amplify sounds too much and it hurts her ears, lol.
How old is your girl? My Lyla is at the age where it's normal for her to be scared of things right now, so I am just working really hard on socializing her to all sorts of things. Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Tekozi on
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I too have this problem with one of my girls. It is exactly what you described. Fearful of noises, objects and not food motivated. Is she dog motivated?
My girl was a country dog, so she was outside with other dogs all her life. Now living indoors with people has made her very unsure. We are still working with her, but having the other dogs around definitely helps.
Where did she come from? Is she scared of other animals or people?
I am sorry... I know it hurts to see your pup unhappy and scarred.
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