[deminimis]

We've had dogs most of our lives, but have never seen this kind of behavior and not sure how to handle it. Its a 16 week old pure bred black lab. Just lays there and won't come to us. Rolls to a submissive position if approached by us (slowly). Only in home two days, so obviously there's some needed adjustment at play here, but it doesn't seem to be the only issue. Plays like crazy with our year+ mixed breed (expected puppy behavior). Around us, she lays down and doesn't move (not to mean she comes to us and lays down, because she doesn't). Definitely scared, but sweet demeanor (no fear aggression). Not head shy or anything like that. Scared to go in a crate at night, in the house, outside, into another room, etc. She lays where you place her and just lays there indefinitely (if the other dog is kept away). If removed, she immediately wants to go back to whatever place she just left. She lets us pet her if she is laying down. If outside with the other dog (meaning she's mobile), she won't let us get close enough to pet her. If she's outside by herself, she goes submissive and lays on her side if approached by us. When outside, she kind of hangs around me, but at a comfortable distance. I have yet to pet the dog when its mobile. Any thoughts on how to get her past this? Thanks.

[CorkyMax]

Where did you get her? Do you know how she was treated before you got her? Was she in a cage before and placed there for being naughty or any other 'bad' reason? Maybe she actually lived in a cage/crate. Almost sounds like she was abused/ignored! Would think something caused her to be so submissive and not trusting anyone. Was she with her mother and siblings in order to be socialized or away from them too soon and kept in a cage/crate? Some background please if you know it?

Aside from all that--You have only had her for 2 days--Be patient, calm, and gentle! You have to gain her trust. If any of the fore mentioned things happened in her little life--It may take extra patience and work.

Try holding a treat in your hand while sitting on the floor in front of her and let her come to you---maybe get her to sit in your lap and talk gently to her and pet her lightly if she will let you! Gain her trust!

[deminimis]

She came from a local breeder. I have a friend that has two dogs from that breeder and they are amazing. Not abused and doesn't act like that. I do think, however, she spent a fair amount of time crated (not in a house) and not sure just how much human contact she's had over the past couple of months. The house thing is completely new to her. Its just the damnedest thing. If she was head shy, showing some aggression, etc., it would make more sense. Perhaps she is not a pure bred lab and is half fainting goat?

[cigwyllt]

What was she like when you chose her? Where was she kept? From what you have said it sounds like she was neglected and unsocialised. I had similar behaviour from my first Jack Russell. He was unsold by the couple who owned both his parents - their bitch would pop out a couple of pups every year or so and they usually homed them quite quickly but the one I had had been with them for 5 months. I am sure that in no way had anyone been actively cruel to him - his parents were beautifully kept working dogs, family pets, lived in the house and free to wander anywhere at home.

But he had had virtually no attention. Perhaps his behaviour was not as extreme as your dog - he attached himself to me but would freeze and through himself on the ground if I tried to encourage him to walk. He would follow me everywhere but if he was at all unsure he would stand and shake until I picked him up. As the weeks went on and he was showered with love - he would be by my side, or on my knee (I even had him lying across my lap when I ate at the table or did my school work!) - he came out of his shell and grew in confidence although he was always a total wimp!

Of course, what you can do with a Jack Russell is not the same as with a labrador - especially with a pup the age of yours! I would start by getting him checked out by a vet. Don't rely on what the breeders have told you - he obviously has not been kept in ideal conditions so let the vet take a look. If the vet can't see anything wrong then take it very, very easy with him. If he throws himself to the ground sit beside him and stroke him gently and speak softly to him. As he starts to grow in confidence you can start to call him to you from a very short distance with a really tasty treat.

I doubt if there is a quick fix for whatever has made him as he is but encouragement and patience will help to get him through.

Of course

[deminimis]

She's huge (don't think she was picked on by the litter and she more than holds her own with our larger, older dog), but she was the last to leave, so I agree with your assessment that she was not socialized much (human). I suppose its entirely possible that if she spent nearly all her time in a crate, she's wiped out from running around with our other dog. She might even be a bit sore from the exercise. Wife was a vet tech for a decade (now she works on humans) and this monster is physically healthy as a horse. In fact, by the size of the feet, it might grow as big as a horse. I have the next four days off, so hoping she'll become my shadow during that time. Thinking I need to defrost some hot dogs and spoil/reward her good behavior. She's very sweet and wags her tail when I walk into the room. Her eyes suggest she's scared or at least uncertain though (furrowed brow, head down, eyes, up or averted) when petting her. I'm hoping over the next few days, she'll realize we're kinda nice to be around and she'll get more comfortable. I probably should be grateful for a dog that lays where its placed, but there's plenty of time for that after 10 years.

I think one of my plans is to leash our other dog and spend a fair amount of time just walking around outside the next few days with both. She'll go wherever we (other dog and me) go. Pup will see I'm the leader and she has nothing to fear based upon how the older dog and I interact. Its a thought anyway. The rest of the time, it will be one on one as our other dog always blocks her from getting close to me, even if she wanted to. She's gonna require a lot of work it seems.

Thanks again folks.

[Corinthian]

Originally Posted by Corky/Max

Try holding a treat in your hand while sitting on the floor in front of her and let her come to you---maybe get her to sit in your lap and talk gently to her and pet her lightly if she will let you!

I was going suggest the treat - maybe even feed her only this way - and once she's taken the food move away so the dog does it again and again and finally earns the whole meal.

If you are leaning over the dog when petting it, then do a more reserved approach and pet the stomach not the top of the head.

[deminimis]

Sorry for the long delay in responding. Our ISP went belly up. Anyway, the pooch had become fairly comfortable with her surroundings. Still doesn't act much like a puppy and is still rather pensive, but she's coming along nicely.

[Lara's mom]

I'm glad to hear she's doing better. One of the things to look for when you choose a breeder is where the pups have been raised. Those who have been raised in a home with lots of human contact make a smooth transition to their new homes. Often, those who have spent their time in breeders kennels have a hard time adjusting.