How can I help my girl?

[kevin bradley]

I say do what you're already doing...Love her w/ every ounce of emotion you can muster. And introduce her to new people...slowly and subtle of course...no one running up on her and rushing into her personal space....GOD, I HATE THIS-so many people do this unknowingly. My guy, Harry, hates this and even snapped a couple time-people rushing up on him.

Yes, love her. Just love her.

[meggels]

I say do what you're already doing...Love her w/ every ounce of emotion you can muster. And introduce her to new people...slowly and subtle of course...no one running up on her and rushing into her personal space....GOD, I HATE THIS-so many people do this unknowingly. My guy, Harry, hates this and even snapped a couple time-people rushing up on him.

Yes, love her. Just love her.

Sounds good She is my heart and soul. My soulmate in doggie form. I used to think it was my boxer Cooper, but now I think it may be Abigail. I can't imagine my life without her. And although she may never be a social dog (like the boxers in my past), and she may never be strangers favorite because of this, I adore that she LOVES ME with every ounce of her being, and is loyal and devoted to me. I know I can count on her. And the way that she thumps her tail while I talk to her, or throws herself in my lap with her head back looking for kisses....*sigh*....there's nothing better than my girl.

[kevin bradley]

Meg,

I know many of the "pro trainer" types would poke fun at me and I may not have 10 degrees in Dog Training. But I eat sleep and breathe with 3 right next to me every day so I feel it counts for something.

I've seen great things happen from showering your Dogs with Love and respecting them like you would other people.

I had a good Trainer talk to me once...shortly after I got Harry and he had snapped at a friend and the VET. In both instances, they rushed him and got right in his face.

I was astonished...I thought the Trainer might say euthanize him, he's dangerous....

The exact opposite happened...he scolded ME!....he said, "kevin, why aren't you protecting Harry, thats YOUR job. You had no business letting those 2 rush up on YOUR boy and get into his face. You wouldn't let someone do that to you?"

Of course, he did advise more socialization for Harry so Harry could handle situations better but I found this amazing. It changed my entire outlook on how to handle our guys.

most of the time its not our Dogs that need the training ;)

It's us ;)

[Jester's King]

Since she loves other dogs, one technique I've used is bringing a shy dog to calm public places along with a very outgoing doggie friend. You won't see an immediate response, but dogs learn from eachother, so seeing a dog she likes and trusts getting along with strangers can have an impact on the shy dogs outlook... It has worked for me. Nothing dramatic but some difference for sure.
-Bryan

[johndh1]

This is so true, Mitsou and the male Schnauzer of my girlfriend met and live almost always together for two years now and they exchange so much characteristic. And the two were at an advance adult stage.

Mitsou that almost never yap is now doing it slightly more when a stranger is doing something suspicious, which is good thing. On the other hand the Schnauzer tend to socialize more when he sees my golden in confidence with the approach of strangers.

[Jester's King]

This is so true, Mitsou and the male Schnauzer of my girlfriend met and live almost always together for two years now and they exchange so much characteristic. And the two were at an advance adult stage.

Mitsou that almost never yap is now doing it slightly more when a stranger is doing something suspicious, which is good thing. On the other hand the Schnauzer tend to socialize more when he sees my golden in confidence with the approach of strangers.

It does work, like any other method...takes time to see the result. (on a side note, that is the problem with some of these "reality" dog shows - is that they make things look like overnight)

BTW you really are lucky to get those early photos of ur girl... The one by herself on the grass is PRICELESS.
I also see some strong cattle dog looks in the others... But all in all it looks like ur on the way to a FANTASTIC companion either way.

[meggels]

It does work, like any other method...takes time to see the result. (on a side note, that is the problem with some of these "reality" dog shows - is that they make things look like overnight)

BTW you really are lucky to get those early photos of ur girl... The one by herself on the grass is PRICELESS.
I also see some strong cattle dog looks in the others... But all in all it looks like ur on the way to a FANTASTIC companion either way.

I know, I'm so happy to have gotten them, esp that one of her alone. That was the first one she sent to me, and when I saw it, I started crying. I got Abbie at 4.5 months, so seeing her so tiny, it was so amazing and heartbreaking to know that her and her siblings were in a high kill shelter.

[Jack Monzon]

I just wanted to add that I adoped a VERY shy lab/aussie mix about four months ago, and things have gotten a lot better. When I first got him, he wouldn't walk outside. Like, at all. He would freeze up and just stare at the door to go back inside. He was terrified of other dogs and strangers. My father came to stay with me when I was waiting to close on my new place, and it took him SIX days to be able to touch him.

Since I've moved (about six weeks after adopting him), things really started to turn around. I now live next to a big park, which is where I take him on long walks. He started getting curious of other dogs in the park, and after about a month, I started taking him to a dog park, which I now still do daily. He loves chasing and wrestling with most other dogs (some, he just doesn't like). He still won't let strangers pet him, but he's gotten better. My mom visited recently, and it took her only about 3 days to pet him. A female friend visited last week, and it took her only a few hours. But the fact that strangers can't pet him doesn't really bother me, honestly. If I see some idiot dive-bombing in to pet him, I'll just say, "He's unfriendly; he'll bit you." That gets them to stop. I used to say, "He's shy," but that doesn't always work. Everyone thinks they're going to be the one to break your dog of his shyness. You have to be more negative if the person is forceful or obnoxious.