Timid!

LunaBrown · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 7:54 am Post subject: Timid!

I don't know what's gotten into Luna the past few weeks.... She has started to act very timid around people, even people she has known for her whole life with us (Like her grandmas) or people she's seen every weekday for the past few months (my boss and co-workers).

Sometimes she barks at them, sometimes she gets down and kind of belly crawls (tail wagging)... often she will want to hide behind myself or my husband.

I do not know what's changed... we go to work every day together just like always... I am sure nobody has done anything bad to her, she never leaves myself or my husband's sight!

I am frustrated because from the first day we got her we have been trying very hard to introduce her to lots of new people and places, and until recently she's been great.... but this timid thing is sort of scaring US! How's she gonna be a big tough hunting dog if she's scared of her own grandmas every time she sees them?!

Will she grow out of this (she's 5 months)? Anything we can do? Confused

weimdawgs · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 7:59 am Post subject:

Don't do anything different. Don't acknowledge the behavior or make a big deal of it. She may just be trying to get attention or being cute.

They go through different behaviors as their personalities develop and they learn what works best for them.

Do what works best for you. As long as you know she is being treated well, don't change anything you do with her.

peppernaei · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 8:07 am Post subject:

our breeder mentioned a "second fear impact period" around 6 months. her example was of a dog that was suddenly afraid of a houseplant that has been there the whole time. could she be there early?

her suggestion was to be patient and ignore the whole situation. she said to let the dog work it out and not to reinforce the fear by reassuring the puppy.

anne · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 11:46 am Post subject:

These periods of dog development don't happen on a strict timeline, at 5 months with a well socialized dog, I would definitely think 2nd fear impact period. Don't worry, as others pointed out, ignore her nutty behavior. The more calm you are, the more "there's nothing to worry about" vibes you give, and she will get through it. Whatever you do, do not coddle her or tell her "it's OK, it's OK" to reassure her as that is rewarding her fearful behavior.

LunaBrown · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 12:44 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys!

I will do my best to just ignore it... I sure hope it's just being bratty or the 2nd fear impact... I know every dog is different, but any idea on how long it would last, on average?

weimdawgs · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 12:50 pm Post subject:

That I really don't know. I can't imagine it would go on for more than a few weeks.

peppernaei · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 3:09 pm Post subject:

i looked around on google and there were suggestions of 6-14 months to correspond with the growth spurt stage. from that info it seems variable and a couple sites mentioned it can be worse in males. but again this is just from a quick web search. marvin is not far off from that age so i guess we'll watch out for it as well.

kamfam · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 3:19 pm Post subject:

Check out

http://www.weimclubamerica.org/yourweim/development2.html

There's alot of info on there about different behaviors and when they normally occur. Lots of other goodies on there too!!!

Good luck!