We rescued a pitt bull this weekend from a shelter. She (Mya) is a lovely dog, but super nervous and shy. She is great around me, but very shy with my husband.
Does anyone have any advice on how to warm her up to him. We've done: -treats -him sitting by me -no sharp movements -etting her sniff him and come to him instead of him approaching her
Just wondering if anyone has any other methods or suggestions for us.
TIA!
Becks526
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Re: We rescued a Pitt bull - looking for suggestions
Congrats on your new pup!!
I think the things you're doing are great - shy dogs often take time to warm up to new people. She also may have had a bad experience with men, so tell your husband to have faith. What treats does she like best? Have him be the primary 'rewarder' - for example, if she loves hot dogs, have your husband sit on the floor and sprinkle some hot dogs around him. He should then ignore her (no eye contact, just sit quietly) while she (hopefully) sniffs the treats and eats some. As she gets more comfortable, he should move the treats closer, until he has some in his hand that she will take. Ideally you would not be in the room while they're doing this, so she can't go to you for comfort.
It will take time and patience, but I'm sure once she realizes that she's in a safe place with people who love her, she'll open up! Feel free to FM if you want any more advice - I volunteer at an animal shelter and have been working with a shy pit bull there for about 6 months! Good luck!!!
lisa813
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Re: We rescued a Pitt bull - looking for suggestions
We rescued a pit a little over 2 years ago... she was originally very shy and withdrawn and shyed away from men period.... now she loves my fiance and is good with my father. she comes and sits at my feet when my fiances brothers come over but that's about it... and she's a nut now... her 'puppyness' ended up coming out. you don't know what she went through or the trauma she had so just be patient. pits are the greatest but very active :)
Flutterbye922
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Re: We rescued a Pitt bull - looking for suggestions
Posted by Becks526
Congrats on your new pup!!
I think the things you're doing are great - shy dogs often take time to warm up to new people. She also may have had a bad experience with men, so tell your husband to have faith. What treats does she like best? Have him be the primary 'rewarder' - for example, if she loves hot dogs, have your husband sit on the floor and sprinkle some hot dogs around him. He should then ignore her (no eye contact, just sit quietly) while she (hopefully) sniffs the treats and eats some. As she gets more comfortable, he should move the treats closer, until he has some in his hand that she will take. Ideally you would not be in the room while they're doing this, so she can't go to you for comfort.
It will take time and patience, but I'm sure once she realizes that she's in a safe place with people who love her, she'll open up! Feel free to FM if you want any more advice - I volunteer at an animal shelter and have been working with a shy pit bull there for about 6 months! Good luck!!!
Well put, I totally agree. Also - when she is acting shy, or shaking or any other signs that she is scared, do not pet her. Thinking you are soothing her is actually making her think it is okay to be scared. Just simply ignore her or have FH give her a treat. Praise her whenever he is around and she is not scared, even if he is 50 ft away as long as he is within her sight
lolita4life
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Re: We rescued a Pitt bull - looking for suggestions
just wanted to say congrats i htink thast awesome!
gertyrae
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Re: We rescued a Pitt bull - looking for suggestions
I just wanted to applaud you for adopting a dog!!! Especially a pit, they have such a bad rep and are such sweet dogs.
