My boyfriend and I just adopted 2 dachshund mix dogs from the shelter they are brother and sister, we don't have any information on them but that they are between 1-3 in age. They are really scared the male more so then the female. When my bf or I is standing in a room the dogs wont walk in there with us or if we walk into the room they are in they run out. We have only had them 5 days, they will come to either of us if we kneel down and calls them and thats just sometime. I let them out in the back yard to play when I call them in I have to walk away from the back door before they will come in I have tried giving them treats when they come in with me there or come into the room with us in there and it doesnt seem to be working. I do have a crate I use with them, I opened the door so they can come out and venture around the house and they stay in it or wont leave the room. I am wondering if they were beaten before they went to the shelter or yelled at. We don't do either of those but it is really aggervating. I really dont want to take them back I want to give them a good home, but if I can't get them to listen to us and come around us I am going to have to take them back. If someone knows what I can do to get them to not be scared please help.

Sounds like they have had a bad begining. My suggestion would be when your watching tv, or sitting around talking or anything, try sitting on the floor and ignoring the dogs and letting them get used to you at their level, on their terms. Have plenty of treats to give them when they do come to you, either hold the treat out slowly in your hand or just set it on the ground by them. I wouldnt try petting or anything untill they are used to you and coming to you regularly. If they come near you, give them the treat but dont make a big deal out of it, just continue what you were doing. In time they should come to understand that you are ok and things will start to improve. It may take a lot of patience on your part, but it will be worth it in the end.

As jakesmom said, I think you should interact with them very gently and indirectly; approaching them might send them into flight, whereas ignoring them could make them curious about you. Also try to use positive associations with everything, rewarding normal dog behavior with something they really like to eat or play with. It seems like it will take some time, and I hope you don't give up them. Good luck!

[lil mutt]

It's either they had bad experience with their previous owner or still adjusting with you and your home... just be patient... i think you are doing good with the treats... it just shows how much they really mean to you... Keep it up!

It seems that they have experienced some negative in their lives. It doesn't necessarily have to be physical abuse. Dogs tend to feel threatened when they are hovered over. If they have had a bad experience, their reaction to the hovering will become more intense. You need to initially bring yourself down to their level in order for them to feel comfortable around you. The more they associate with you, the more trust they will place in you. Gaining a dog's trust can take months. You have to be patient. Rewarding them with a small snack and a hug every time they come near you will show them that coming close to you can be a good thing for them. However, don't get them used to the snack. Start to wean them off the snack but continue the hug.

You cannot expect results in 5 short days that you've had them. They are not only adjusting to a new environment, but to a new family as well. I would also recommend introducing them to the outside world as soon as possible. The more they encounter, the easier it will be for them to adjust.

Hope this helps!!!
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After waiting patiently my 2 wienie dogs have started to come around and they finally go out and come in while I stand at the door instead of me having to walk away and they come to me even when I am standing there and when I am by the food bowl, the only other things that we now have to overcome is licking the face and submissive urination(only witht he male dog). Thanks for for information it helped

[lil mutt]

just give them time to adjust... dont worry you are on right track, eventually they will accept you the way you accepted them.

It takes time, patience and training to help scared dogs. If you understand about triggers, thresholds, counter conditioning and desensitization you will be more effective. Good places to start are by reading The Cautious Canine by Patricia McConnell and visiting Sunny's website at
Working with a fearful, scared or shy dog

Good luck!

I'm glad to hear that they are starting to get used to you. Keep up the good work and remember to carry around lots of patience for them
Keep us posted on how things are going

Its great to see you guys taking care and making all the effort required to keep those dogs. I had a dog with similar symptoms, it took me a couple of months to get them normal. You will have to take care of this even after they get normal, they can go back to that state easily.