How do you get a puppy over.....

[Ashley]

When Bella was at the vets a few weeks ago they suggested we handle her back legs and around her butt more, I guess she yelps when they touch her there. THey wanted us to work on it, so when I child touches her she doesnt do that.

But my question is, how do you work on something with a puppy, that she does do when you touch her? We handle bella all the time, never does she yelp or any of that when we play with her.

 

[mininik]

You have to get her out and socialize her with other people who are not apart of your "pack." To do that correctly, I would recommend taking her through an obedience class where she'll be exposed to other people and dogs in a safer, more neutral environment, surrounded by people who know dogs and how to handle any problems that might come up.

 

[runamuk]

Another fairly safe place is at a fun match/b-match/puppy match. These are dog shows geared towards 4-6 month old pups and newby show handlers

there are usually lots of dog savvy people who are often quite willing to help out.

Other places to take dogs for socializing....parking lots at big box stores, dog friendly parks, walking in town, pet shops (petsmart is great), feed stores, if you have kids you know who are gentle borrow them to play with the pup. For those of us who live rural it can be more of a challenge.

 

[Ashley]

I do plan to put her in obediance. She has been out socializing. From about the time we got her up until about 2 weeks ago, she was out every weekend and 2 nights a week with people. Again never a problem there. I have never heard her yelp when anyone touches her.

 

[Lisa-Ruff N Tuff Minis]

Ashley I cant imagine someone touching the inside of your dogs hind legs or her personal areas as something that anyone would normally do especially strangers while saying hi or admiring your dog.

I would think a quick pet or pat on the rear is the most they would "normally" do in fact to be honest I would question a "stranger" running there hands up and down the hind legs and near the butt of my dog

so I am not sure she is "used" to that type of thing

But that said seeing as that seems to be a place that is an issue for her I would specifically ask those you know well of course (and after explaining why) them to do that while she is standing still

 

[runamuk]

Ashley I cant imagine someone touching the inside of your dogs hind legs or her personal areas as something that anyone would normally do especially strangers while saying hi or admiring your dog.

I would think a quick pet or pat on the rear is the most they would "normally" do in fact to be honest I would question a "stranger" running there hands up and down the hind legs and near the butt of my dog

so I am not sure she is "used" to that type of thing

But that said seeing as that seems to be a place that is an issue for her I would specifically ask those you know well of course (and after explaining why) them to do that while she is standing still

Lisa is right, unless you show dogs or groom, most people don't realize that general petting and "going over" can be quite different in the dogs mind

...... Show dogs are touched from nose to toes and males are felt up, my friends and family would never handle my dogs in that manner if I didn't ask them to

and even then a few think I am a bit wonky

 

[mininik]

LOL So true... I have to stop myself when petting heavily coated dogs that aren't being checked in for grooming. My first reaction is to pet them "all over" to see how matted the coat is.

 

[Miniv]

I also agree with Lisa......... Try getting down on the floor with Bella and just love on her! We have FOUR of them and at various times, Larry or I will find ourselves down on the carpet rubbing and scritching. As part of the process, scritch her butt and massage her legs.

MA

 

[Ashley]

I do rub her belly down her legs all the time. SHe loves that and will lay for hours.

 

[Lisa-Ruff N Tuff Minis]

I do rub her belly down her legs all the time. SHe loves that and will lay for hours.

but is she only laying down when you are doing so agian it is not the same thing at all (in the dogs mind) as standing up on a table or floor and being checked and imposed on that way. ONce on the belly in submissive position you are talking a whole different ballgame.

I am not a dog expert but do have a few (uh hum)

and I was a dog groomer for many years (hardest job I EVER had) so have had opportunity to work with many

I would really try standing her (with a hand under her belly to keep her standing not sitting) and with the other hand lifting her tail at the base unless she is the boxer in your avatar and then that part might be hard lol but placing your hand under her stumpy tail and holding it up (as if you were getting things ready to take a temp) and then run your hands down the back of her legs and see how that goes.

again not a expert just a suggestion

 

[Boinky]

I've had dogs and pups react that way when at the vets office. Lets face it USUALLY the vets are all about business. I think some of them can scare the dog a bit with how they approach things. Might be a bigger part of your vets than your dog. Yes i DO think if they mentioned it it might be a good idea to have some "strangers" work with her and see what happens but my guess is maybe the vets handled her a little rougher or more firmly than she's used to possibly? Even if they didn't hurt her, they may have scared her and not even meant to. Pups especially are sensitive to those sort of things. Do you know what they were doing to her when they experienced these cries?

I don't really show much but all my pups are trained to "stack" (the dog worlds version of setting a horse up for halter class). They all learn to be groomed and handled while in the stacked position and not move. that means rubbing my hands over their muzzle and lifting their lips to inspect their teeth, run them over the top scull and under the chin down along the top line of the back and down their legs. If it's a male they get groped as a judge would do to check and see if there are two testicles. Like i said i don't show very often infact only about 3 times in my whole life and i've also done a bunch of handlers classes but mostly for socialization and being handled by strangers, BUT i find it makes it far easier to get them to allow other people to check them over including more invasive things such as checking teeth (most normal strangers aren't going to lift the lips and check the teeth) and grope for testicles and hip angles ect. Makes it easier to get good photo's of them and just overall easier to handle (just like a horse that is handled and desensitized to everything). I start doing this with my litters from about 5 weeks old just setting them up (even non show candidates) as it also teaches them to be restrained and a bit of submission while not on their back.

although i suspect not truly be a real issue with the pup but in how it was handled to begin with, i would follow through on trying to find a few people that are strangers to your pup, though will understand what your asking them to do, to help you work with her and see what her reaction is there

Hillary

I do rub her belly down her legs all the time. SHe loves that and will lay for hours.

but is she only laying down when you are doing so agian it is not the same thing at all (in the dogs mind) as standing up on a table or floor and being checked and imposed on that way. ONce on the belly in submissive position you are talking a whole different ballgame.

I am not a dog expert but do have a few (uh hum)

and I was a dog groomer for many years (hardest job I EVER had) so have had opportunity to work with many

I would really try standing her (with a hand under her belly to keep her standing not sitting) and with the other hand lifting her tail at the base unless she is the boxer in your avatar and then that part might be hard lol but placing your hand under her stumpy tail and holding it up (as if you were getting things ready to take a temp) and then run your hands down the back of her legs and see how that goes.

again not a expert just a suggestion

 

[Ashley]

Yep it is the boxer. I ahve been doing more with her. Maybe I should take her to the vet with me as it appears I have another dog that needs to go for a visit now.

I do do my own grooming so I do get them used try to get them used to that. My cocker is a angel with that(except right now, she is the one that needs to go to the vet). Shes used to getting a full body shave monthly through out the summer.