Roody70 Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 I am completely new to this forum, so forgive me if I am not sure what I am doing. I have just taken delivery of my new Golden Retriever pup, who is 4 months old. I guess that I am a bit concerned about his personality at the moment. He has not had a lot or any contact with humans for the last 2 months as the breeders have been overseas for the last 3 months and have just had someone going in an feeding him and that is all the contact he had. Since I have had him home at my place, he will not leave the laundry area where I have put his bed for the time being. When I go in to pat him he will try and move away and will not make eye contact with me. I am hoping that this is just a stage that he will go through, but would like to know from other owners is there something that I should be doing to help him get out of this or will it just be a matter of time. He will not accept any food from my hand, but when he thinks I am not looking he will eat the food and also play with his toy. To me that shows that he is just very frightened of all the changes that have happened in the last couple of days. Look forward to hearing from you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 Oh poor poor puppy! He must be so stressed at the moment! Look being withdrawn can be a natural reaction, especially if he has been left alone for so long (I dont understand how ANYONE could do this but thats me) Be patient, no loud or sudden noises and let him come out if his shell in his own time. If he wants to hide in the laundry thats fine, give him a few more weeks to really get into the swingof things. Leave the laundry door open but move his food and toys closer to where the family is. Let him be close enough to his bed to be comfortable but he has to come out to eat and play. Then you can start hand feeding him when he comes out to investigate. The best thing is to completely ignore him, he probably thinks all this attention is weird at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roody70 Posted September 4, 2006 Author Share Posted September 4, 2006 Thanks for the reply. I too cannot understand why he was neglected or ignored like that. He is a beautiful pup. At the moment we are leaving the laundry door open so he can come into the rest of the house when he feels comfortable. I just want to make sure that I am doing the right thing, so as not to make him worse. Again thanks for your comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 Good advice from Nekhbet. Unfortunately you are starting from a fair way behind the 8 ball with this poor little man - but it sounds like he's landed on his feet now. The very fact that you're concerned enough to observe and respect his reactions, and to post here, says that you're on the right track. How long have you had him? He has certainly not had what I would regard as the 'normal' puppyhood so far, so you'll have the job of making up for a lot of the socialisation in various areas - not just interaction with humans - that he should have been having in an ideal world. I'd say you're on the right track by just letting him feel his way, and as Nekhbet says, giving him opportunities for closer interaction when he's ready for it. The good news is that he will play with a toy. You could provide a variety, watch which ones are his favourites, and then maybe sit on the floor turned sideways to him, not making eye contact, and just play with one of the toys yourself - and just see what happens. Try a variety of (healthy) treats for him to sample, so that you can observe what floats his boat - then use these when you're encouraging him to come closer. Wait till he's a bit hungry, then again, sit on the floor, sideways to him, not looking at him, and gently toss a treat towards him. Don't make eye contact, but if he takes it, toss another on, then another - and see if you can get them closer to you. The reason for the sideways posture, sitting on the floor and the no eye contact, is that they may act as calming signals to the pup, leaving him time and space to make his own decisions. Please keep posting here - there'll be more ideas, and we'd love to know how you're getting on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tramissa Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 Go into the laundry, sit quietly (i.e. don't move) and speak softly to him. He will come to you in his own time. Let him explore you first before you try and make a move. Don't pat his head - this can be threatening if he's not sure of you. Try his chest or side (near the top of his front leg etc). Take treats in with you and put one on the ground in front of you, then on you, then on your hand etc. But importantly, take each step slowly and don't force him Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roody70 Posted September 4, 2006 Author Share Posted September 4, 2006 Again, a big thank you to both Tassie and Tramissa, your remarks along with Nekhbet are very reassuring. I must admit that when talking to him, I try to look directly at him, I thought that this was a way of building his confidence. Will try sitting side on and talking and see how this goes. Also, when we first took delivery of him which was Friday 1st September, he would pull away quite badly if you went to pat or touch his head. Now he doesnt seem to be as afraid of this. Still pulls or shys away a little. While giving him a pat or rub, he dosent want to run away from you, even when you take your hands away he will still just lay there as if too scared to move. I will definitely take all of your remarks and suggestions onboard and try them. I look forward to letting you all know how he progresses. Just one comment or Question? At what stage do you think that I should take him to puppy school to interact with other pups. Should this only be done once he is comfortable with me and his current surroundings? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlet Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 No I wouldn't stress him untill he is comfortable with you. Puppy school can wait a little. I would even suggest laying on the floor and let him come up to you also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 I think puppy school would be a massive backwards step. Unfortunately this pup has had a critical stage in its life messed up, and being so shy you have to wonder if the person that fed him frightened him a little. When he is confidant and trusts you, start socialising him. At the moment he sees you as a potential stress more then someone to protect him. If you took him to puppy class he would flip out as there is nothing there he can rely on to save him if he is insecure. It can even set you back if he has a freak out and you are seen as the contributor. At the moment he needs to bond with people on and just above his level. If you are high up, loud and staring directly at him you show you are highly dominant and he will withdraw further. Go down to his level, ignore him and play quietly and investigate things near him, eat nice smelly things like roast chicken sitting on the floor. If he comes up to you give him a bit but dont make eye contact yet. You will find enough fun near him and ignoring him he will wonder why he is missing out and want to join in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ons Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 this is making me cry how could anyone treat a little golden retriever puppy like that or indeed any pup!!!! All the advice that has been given has been great. One thing I found my two golden retreivers did differentiate in temperament, my boy pup was always going to the bathroom to sleep for hours and hours yet my girl pup was always with me. Just take one step at a time, baby step, make a safe haven in the laundry and follow everyone elses advice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peibe Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 I find padding your pockets with treats works wonders Just sit in the laundry and read a book, do not touch him or look at him, just sit there with nice smelling things in your pockets Take everything slowely, treat him as you would an 8 week old pup, and as soon as he is confident with you get him some training and socilisation, it is crucial. Are you able to get a tape of people talking and dogs barking? play it soflty for him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t-time Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 Poor baby Thank goodness he has found a caring new home. You've received excellent advice thus far. I would just like to add that with the unfortunate beginning for this pup, he may not be used to large open spaces. Investing in a crate or a puppy pen might make him feel a little safer in his "new" environment. I'm not suggesting that you "lock him up", just a wire area because that is more than likely what he is used to. Then the overwhelming experience of the outside world will become a little less scary. Just a suggestion I am also curious to know if this was a registered breeder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsdog2 Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 Poor baby Thank goodness he has found a caring new home. Investing in a crate or a puppy pen might make him feel a little safer in his "new" environment. I'm not suggesting that you "lock him up", just a wire area because that is more than likely what he is used to. Then the overwhelming experience of the outside world will become a little less scary. I agree with the crate. My Golden Retriever has used a crate since we brought him home at 8wks and he's now 16mths. The advantage with the crate is you will eventually be able to move it around as he becomes more confident ie. further into the house. I take it with me when we go on holidays too, so it's something you can use long term. Set it up in the laundry with the door open and let him investigate in his own time. From my own past experience I know you'll get some great advice from DOL'ers, there's a lot of support for you here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldielover Posted September 5, 2006 Share Posted September 5, 2006 That is awfully sad. I hope the breeder had legitimate reasons for going overseas when she had a litter!! I'd just take it nice and slow. If he's comfortable in the laundry, start there talking to him quietly and follow the advice given above (great advice!). He has missed a critical socialisation period so you will definitely need to concentrate on that once he's happy around his home environment. Also, has he seen a vet in the past few weeks? There may also be a medical reason for his withdrawal. Best of luck and please keep us posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roody70 Posted September 5, 2006 Author Share Posted September 5, 2006 To everyone that has taken the time to give me advice and help, I am very thankful. Last night I layed down in the laundry with Jackson, and just read the paper out loud to him. I noticed that every now and then that he was moving closer. But as soon as I moved my body for what ever reason he would go back to his original spot. I have also given him a teddy bear to keep him company, last night before I went to bed I looked in on him and he had his head resting on the teddy. With everyones comments I do feel confident that he will come out of his shell and be a great friend to me. I will keep you informed on his movements. thanks all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted September 5, 2006 Share Posted September 5, 2006 great to hear he's being a brave enough boy to investigate you! Yes he will scuttle back to safety when he is unsure (as you see when he goes back to his bed) but continue as you are doing, let him take his time and he should come out of his little shell! Good Luck Jules Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peibe Posted September 5, 2006 Share Posted September 5, 2006 Little steps are the best Goodluck and do not forget the food in your pockets lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roody70 Posted September 12, 2006 Author Share Posted September 12, 2006 Hi to all that took the time to respond to my cry for help last week. I want to give you all a update on how Jackson is going. On Friday 8th September, he started to lick my hand when held out to him, then by Saturday he would start chewing on my fingers as his chew toy. He has really came out of his shell now, and ventures up into the lounge room where he has taken his place in the bean bag, to which he now thinks is his own. He will eat out of my hand now and will kinda follow me if i am walking around the house. He will run back to the safety of his bed if he thinks I am watching him. I let him outside in the backyard last week and have secretly watched him from the window. He runs around and takes his teddy bear with him while playing on the lawn. He had his first bath last night to get rid of the bad smell, and he loved the water and just sat there while I washed him down. This morning he came into the bedroom and slept beside the bed. I have to admit that he is adapting and changing much quicker than I thought he would from when I first got him. I can only put it down to all the advice that I was given and made sure to implement. thanks to all, I am feeling much happier knowing that he is coming out of his shell. :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emncoop Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 Thats wonderful news!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleo Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 Glad things are improving and hope they will continue to do so!!! Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlet Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 You'll be like a mother of skinkids soon. You wish they would learn to walk/talk etc and when they do wish that they would stay still and stop talking! Soon he'll be chasing and chewing everything in sight-just like every other puppy. Congratulations and keep up the great work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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