my black lab pitbull is scared of everything, especially hardwood floors and rugs, he is also scared of kids and puppies, I have tried everything to make things easier for him, most people can't believe that such a big dog is such a little baby, any suggestions

My dog's vet told me that such fear was due to lack of exposure. In turn, more exposure would eventually remove the fear.

It's a strange behavior for a dog. Did your dog experienced accidents before? Better thing to do is to bring your dog to a veterenarian. It needs dog theraphy. I never heard a dog acting like that.

i might have to disagree with the lack of exposure theory, we own a convience store and he is always there. He is also scared of hardwood floors, and we have them in our house, but we accomodate with rugs, we also take him to various places and pet stores, maybe he is just a big baby.

What is his history? Did you rescue him or get him from someone? I have one that was, also, afraid of everything. I've had him for 5 years now and he is a lot more self-confident now, but he is still a little skittish. Training helped, lots of love helped, and security helped. He was afraid of my sister's oxygen tube, fly swatters, other people, being indoors, loud noises, screen doors, and especially thunderstorms. He ate my linoleum and holes in the plastered walls for the first 6 months. It just takes time. With him, soft, fuzzy squeaky toys helped and when I got my 3rd rescue that was 5-months old and starved, he made it his job to protect her. That's when he really started coming out of it.

Don't baby him or give him any special attention when he gets scared or cowers for no reason, and don't act or do anything out of the ordinary. As he watched you, his leader, acting normally and OK, he will realize its OK. It will take time, but you must ignore him and act normally and eventually he will too...
We also have a PitBull/Black lab mix and he was/is so scared of thunderstorms/and bells (Like when the toaster oven timer goes off!!) He shakes and hides in the closet, but after about 6 months now, he is much better- he doesn't shake or run, he just looks around worried, but hopefully in another 6 months he will be over that too. When we used to baby him, he made no progress...

[lotus]

You may not want to hear this but....he may get a little better but he may never not be skittish.
I rescued 2 shih tzu about 9 mos old.
One after a yr ended up being the best most social dog ever.
The other dog was and still is a basket case.
He never has gotten used to anything. he is afraid of food, treats, women, all house hold sounds, bell, phone, dropping something really really bad submissive peeing and cowards all the time EXCEPT when running around outside.
The dog was free and i have spent a few thousand dollars with trainers and therapist trying to make this guy have a happy life. He is miserable EXCEPT when running around outside. Then he won't come back in. I have to leave the door open for about an hour before he comes in then he runs straight to the crate. can't train him because he wont eat treats, meat hotdogs or anything. Will come out to only play with his littermate but if anyone comes near him he will pee and poop running to the crate. He has been to the vet and is on a calming dog med that i hide in his food. This takes him from an 11 to about an 8. Food takes a few hours before he will eat and WONT eat around people of the other dogs. He just hides in his crate. If i put a doggy bed in his grate he will pee all over it. So he just lives in his crate. If you walk him on a leash he will spend the entire time looking back at the house.
I have read and been told very skittish dog may never come out the the shell. They can get use to a few things but will never be totally calm.
We have just accepted him the way he is but i know he can't be happy.
He can't be groomed because he just pees and poops on the grooming table.
The groomers always think it's something they are doing. He shakes the entire time and i don't even worry if the cute is pretty anymore just make him comfortable and clean.
Hope your baby gets better

[Yogi]

To note, this thread was started nearly 4 years ago and has had no activity since Oct 2006. No longer a member.

[CorkyMax]

[B]I am searching the net to try and find some info to try with your dog. I am not a dog trainer or anything near--not an expert on anything! I am not done searching but here is 1 link: Working with fearful, scared and shy dogs You say the only time he appears to be a 'happier' dog is when he is running around outside so to me that sounds like a place to start. Will he chase a ball or anything if you throw it? Prob. best if you sat on the ground at his level. Can you get the other dog involved in this! Spend a lot of time outside with him--Try to gain his trust very slowly--involve the other dog! I take it you have a fenced back yard and perhaps a doggie door to it? If so--shut the doggie door so he has to stay outside with you---Repetition every day or several times a day. What if you held a marrow bone in your hand---Sit on the ground, be very calm, relaxed, and slightly indifferent to him and let him come to you for it--Set the marrow bone in front of your feet as you sit on the ground and keep trying. If you can get him to come to your feet to get it--slowly increase the bone closer to you each time you do this until you can get him to come to your hand for it! May take a long time but -- I would involve your other dog too--Let him come to your feet and get his marrow bone--then try with the scared dog.

Same principle: Let the dog go hungry for a day or two(Don't stop the water!) then get him in the kitchen. This time, prob. best not to have the other dog in the same room. Block off the kitchen so he has to stay there.
Have in your hand something he does seem to like to eat the best. Sit on the floor, maybe even best to have your back to the dog, but make sure he knows you are putting food next to your feet. --Put it near your feet, act indifferent and calm--Don't even talk to him or try to coax him--He has to decide to do this himself! and continue to try this for a couple -three days. If he finally comes and gets it--Next piece place closer to you. Of course if he doesn't take it after a couple days---You would have to finally feed him---not starve him.
Actually you could start this before he goes without food for a day or two---Just keep doing this for a couple-three days and let him have NO other food--forcing him to get hungry enough that he will have to come to you for food. If he finally comes for the food--keep feeding him this way for several more days until he is not afraid of you touching him and talking gently to him--then try letting him take it from your hand (You still sitting on the floor.)praising him with a 'smile' in your voice.[/]

http://www.squidoo.com/nervouspooch Be sure to scroll all the way down in this link--Hints and ideas near bottom!

Guess I can't find anything else!