Poppy from Portland, OR, asked:
Hi Julie,
I recently got a rescue dog who is around a year old. Her name is Ivy and she is a pretty small black dog who I think is some sort of spaniel mix.
She is the sweetest puppy in the world and very well behaved but she is always acting fearful. I don’t ever scold her and I give her tons of affection but she still has her tail tucked most of the time.
Visiting and discussing this issue with the vet was no help, so I was hoping you could see how she was doing and if there is anything she needs.
What can I do to make her feel feel welcomed and loved in her new home?
Thank you so much!
Lots of love and hugs!
Poppy
Hi Poppy,
Congrats on your new puppy. She sounds darling.
In order to get some information for you, I first energetically connected to you and from you to Ivy.
Here’s a synopsis of our conversation …
When I asked Ivy why she acts so scared, she said, “I don’t want her to hurt me”. She went on to say, “All humans hurt dogs”.
I replied, “Actually, most humans love dogs and would never hurt them” to which she replied, “That’s not what I’ve seen”.
It sounds like Ivy has been abused and has witnessed other dogs being abused.
When asking Ivy what you can do to make her feel loved and welcomed, she said she wants to be able to snuggle with you. She showed me a scene of you sitting on a couch with her right next to you. You either had your arm around her or were petting her.
In addition, Ivy told me she doesn’t like it when you leave her. You may want to consider wearing an old shirt and putting it in her bed or kennel. Be sure to avoid washing it. You want it to smell like you. This may comfort her when you’re gone.
Lastly, legendary dog trainer Cesar Millan suggests doing the following to help gain a dog’s trust:
– Stay Calm And Speak Softly – excited humans can trigger a dog’s fight or flight response.
– Respect Their Space – allow at least 4 feet between you and the dog and let it come to you.
– Get On Their Level – when approaching a dog, stay next to them in a non-confrontational way and kneel if possible.
– Always Let A Dog Come To You – this will let you know the dog is interested in you.
– Go For Lots Of Walks – in the dog world, followers approach the leaders. When you take your dog for a walk you’re the leader and once your dog is part of your “pack” it’ll feel safe with you.
Hope this information helps. Thanks for your question.