Confidence crisis

Suzanne · Guru

Confidence crisis

UndercoverElephant · Master

Well, he seemed to be nice and confident with Sparty today, was boxing very nicely with him - and due to his superior reach was scoring with most of his punches. Of course, Blue did then make sure that everyone was sure who wore the ultimate trousers, but that's always quick and painless.

Phil

FAJ · Enlightened One

Just wondering whether a dog's confidence is inherent? Maybe they either have it or they don't. You can foster independence, but that's different to confidence. Murphy's still a pup, so maybe he'll grow into himself. He certainly seems confident enough when he's chasing Pearly on the beach!!

Take our two as an example. Pearly is confident and secure round the house, never bothering to follow us around or check what we're up to, whereas Harry is up like a shot if we leave the room (though he's getting better and more chilled out) and always wanting to be where we are. But outside is a different matter. Pearly can be a bit timid with other dogs (ie, non-sighthounds), and she tends to get vocal in a big group. Big Harry is very easy-osey and nowt bothers him. He's not fazed by other dogs and takes things in his stride.

Just did a quick google and seems that training, especially agility, can boost a dog's confidence. One of my (many!) books suggests that you can play games such as "tug" and let the dog win to give it a boost as well. I'll look out that section for you, if you like, and copy it for you.

Suzanne · Guru

That would be great Fiona if you could copy that - or even paste an extract on here if thats poss so other folk can take from it what they want too..?

Funny you sould mention the agility - I am currently trying to find somewhere to send Murf to beginner agility classes around the Edinburgh & surrounding areas - didnt actually think about the confidence building aspect of it tho....right Im off to dig out the yellow pages again!

If any of the East lot are interested in coming to a regular agility class too then let me know....(more Greys there the better I say - means folk wont be so likely to laugh if we outnumber them!)

bluesmumanddad · Master

Suzanne I know there is an agility class held in gifford - not sure where will ask person who mentioned it next time I see her.

Murph would be great at agility he seems a very bright boy, sure he would love it

greyluvver · GAL Membership Co-Ordinator

QUOTE: from Fiona
"One of my (many!) books suggests that you can play games such as "tug" and let the dog win to give it a boost as well."

Can understand why a tug game would boost a dogs confidence as well as being fun, but I read that 'tug' games should be avoided as it can encourage aggressive behaviour as well as helping the dog to think he can be more superior than you - when he wins!!? (suppose it depends on the dog's character)

-- Edited by greyluvver at 20:24, 2005-05-03

Lesley · Guru

When Sim arrived with us he was very nervous. I was advised not to pay any attention when he was exhibiting nervous behaviour and give him lots of praise at other times when not being nervous.

I know nervous and lacking in confidence are not necessarily the same, but I think the same principles would apply.

I took him to a dog training class and during the first ten minutes all the dogs roam around the room together. It encourages them to understand that socialising with other dogs is normal and nothing to be concerned about. If any dogs are a bit on the growley side they are kept on the lead.

The first week we were there Sim just stood and shook by the door, trying at every opportunity to get out of the door. I did as advised and ignored his nervous behaviour and even had to discourage another woman from comforting him (she must have thought I was a heartless cow).

It was a gradual process, but now when we go he is in amongst all the other dogs milling around with his tail in the air. He still sometimes tries to get out of the door but on the whole he is much more interested in everything else going on.

That type of activity would certainly help Murphy to get used to being around all sorts of other dogs, and possibly if you resist the temptation to comfort him when he comes to you he may become a little more independent.

I'm sure the agility class will be a lot of fun and look forward to hearing how you get on.

FAJ · Enlightened One

You're right about them not being good for assertive, confident dogs - given that they play to win, us submitting the toy deliberately could be viewed by the dog as then being superior. The book recommended that these games aren't played with dogs who see themselves as high ranking.

Suzanne - I'll see if it's scannable for posting here, else I'll send it to you by snail mail. The book is called "Why does my dog....?" and it's by John Fisher.

quote:
Originally posted by: greyluvver
" QUOTE: from Fiona
"One of my (many!) books suggests that you can play games such as "tug" and let the dog win to give it a boost as well."

Can understand why a tug game would boost a dogs confidence as well as being fun, but I read that 'tug' games should be avoided as it can encourage aggressive behaviour as well as helping the dog to think he can be more superior than you - when he wins!!? (suppose it depends on the dog's character)-- Edited by greyluvver at 20:24, 2005-05-03"

Steve · Master

He's only a young lad. I had German pointer as a pup and he was a woos until he was around 3 years old - then he became a man!

UndercoverElephant · Master

Steve, I'm not sure I want to ask...

It's true that if you let them win every game, especially without there being much of a fight, then they might see themselves as superior - but I think the idea is to give it a good show and let them win the odd one. Blue doesn't go for pulling games, but he does like to race me up hills - I like to make sure that he's scenting at the time I make a break for it, so we're about 50/50, he trots around crowing something chronic if he wins, and slinks off in disgrace when he doesn't.

Strange to hear pointers mentioned, there's a pointer in the villiage (young male), when he first met Nicki's dog Janie, he was so scared, he ran home at top speed and wet himself on the doorstep.

See Suzanne, Murphy could be worse!

Amber · Master

Maybe these other dogs that he is scared of are part of the 'problem'? Is he on the lead and are these dogs loose & approach him? Are the pushy and rude dogs that he feels uncomfortable with?

Just feel that sometimes we worry so much about our own dogs, we forget that other dogs are not always perfectly behaved either!

Maybe you could build his confidence more by carefully selecting which dogs he interacts with i.e. dogs that you know are well socialised, non-pushy types and introduce them on an equal footing i.e. either both on lead, or both off-lead somewhere safe.

The training club may be a good place to let him mingle with well behaved dogs that won't overwhelm him, but I'd be careful to go check any training class out on your own without your dog 1st, to see that you approve of everything that is going on.

Also, any trainer worth their salt will ask you about your dog and possibly want to have a 1-1 session first, to see if they think he is suitable for a class situation. If he is very shy, putting him into a class full of boisterous, naughty dogs won't help!

More difficult to find, but worth it, are trainers that have stooge dogs, or a selection of well behaved dogs that you can work with.

The problem with training classes is that some of the other dogs there may have socialisation or aggression problems, which won't help your lad's confidence.