quote:

Originally posted by jereed:
Seems young to have developed all that fear (or shyness). Treats like Termi said. Maybe sit out there and just hang out quite a bit until she gets really used to you and develops trust. She's not territorial near the deck is she???

quote:

Originally posted by Termigator:
I've only raised them from pups. Good luck rocking!

quote:

Originally posted by CDGator:
Amy must make some great hamburgers, try feeding the pup one! Hope she learns to trust you RC.


We have a chihuahua that adopted us a few weeks ago. Found her on our street on the way home from church on a cold morning. She is only 4lbs and nobody has claimed her. Looks like we might be keeping her. I'll post a picture later.

quote:

Originally posted by CDGator:
Amy must make some great hamburgers, try feeding the pup one! Hope she learns to trust you RC.


We have a chihuahua that adopted us a few weeks ago. Found her on our street on the way home from church on a cold morning. She is only 4lbs and nobody has claimed her. Looks like we might be keeping her. I'll post a picture later.

quote:

Originally posted by CDGator:
We've got the potty training down now, especially since she is not in heat anymore. Just wondering how soon I can spay her since technically she is not mine, I guess.

She bit my daughter twice though so we are working on that issue now. Part of it is a food aggression. Fortunately she's so small that they bite doesn't break the skin.

Knee surgery does cost a fortune. You are very fortunate they will help you some. My BIL's boxer had to have two ACLs repaired.

quote:

Originally posted by jereed:
(although I'm expecting the pit bull to maul my face off any day now).

quote:

Originally posted by rockingc:
About two months ago we had a little puppy adopt us. I say little she was maybe three months old at the time. Anyway, she spends most of the time under the deck, coming out occasionally to play and eat.

She is a pretty puppy, some type of collie, but she's still scared of any noise, person, or animal, except squirrels. She stays under the deck and growls at me when I feed her, but from fear not that she's mean.

I've made some progress with her and she is staying out more and seems to want some attention, but though I can get closer to her, I'm a long way from being able to pet her.

I'm usually pretty good with animals and don't have any problems making friends with most any dog. I think she must have been born to a stray and hasn't had any human contact or was badly treated by someone.

Any advice on how to win her over?

quote:

Originally posted by Termigator:
Domesticating dogs. So easy a caveman could do it.

quote:

Originally posted by CDGator:
This is the little rat..err ummm, chihuahua I found.





This was the sunrise this morning.

quote:

Originally posted by inquisitorautry:

quote:

Originally posted by rockingc:
About two months ago we had a little puppy adopt us. I say little she was maybe three months old at the time. Anyway, she spends most of the time under the deck, coming out occasionally to play and eat.

She is a pretty puppy, some type of collie, but she's still scared of any noise, person, or animal, except squirrels. She stays under the deck and growls at me when I feed her, but from fear not that she's mean.

I've made some progress with her and she is staying out more and seems to want some attention, but though I can get closer to her, I'm a long way from being able to pet her.

I'm usually pretty good with animals and don't have any problems making friends with most any dog. I think she must have been born to a stray and hasn't had any human contact or was badly treated by someone.

Any advice on how to win her over?

I think the treats idea is good.

Another suggestion is to hang around outside after you feed her. Everyday move a bit closer to her, if she starts to think your too close back up a bit and try to get closer the next day. Eventually she should get used to you enough to be around you without fear. All animals have what is known as a "flight zone," which is basically how close an animal will let something that is unfamiliar get close before it runs. You are essentially trying to reduce her flight zone to the point it doesn't exist. I will now refrain from going into a fascinating (to me) theory about how dogs possibly began domesticating themselves before humans even got involved.

quote:

Originally posted by CDGator:
We've got the potty training down now, especially since she is not in heat anymore. Just wondering how soon I can spay her since technically she is not mine, I guess.

She bit my daughter twice though so we are working on that issue now. Part of it is a food aggression. Fortunately she's so small that they bite doesn't break the skin.

Knee surgery does cost a fortune. You are very fortunate they will help you some. My BIL's boxer had to have two ACLs repaired.

quote:

Originally posted by NativeGatorGal:

quote:

Originally posted by inquisitorautry:

quote:

Originally posted by rockingc:
About two months ago we had a little puppy adopt us. I say little she was maybe three months old at the time. Anyway, she spends most of the time under the deck, coming out occasionally to play and eat.

She is a pretty puppy, some type of collie, but she's still scared of any noise, person, or animal, except squirrels. She stays under the deck and growls at me when I feed her, but from fear not that she's mean.

I've made some progress with her and she is staying out more and seems to want some attention, but though I can get closer to her, I'm a long way from being able to pet her.

I'm usually pretty good with animals and don't have any problems making friends with most any dog. I think she must have been born to a stray and hasn't had any human contact or was badly treated by someone.

Any advice on how to win her over?

I think the treats idea is good.

Another suggestion is to hang around outside after you feed her. Everyday move a bit closer to her, if she starts to think your too close back up a bit and try to get closer the next day. Eventually she should get used to you enough to be around you without fear. All animals have what is known as a "flight zone," which is basically how close an animal will let something that is unfamiliar get close before it runs. You are essentially trying to reduce her flight zone to the point it doesn't exist. I will now refrain from going into a fascinating (to me) theory about how dogs possibly began domesticating themselves before humans even got involved.

Great start to reducing her fear of humans. Most likely, she was raised by someone abusive. Give her a name, a pretty one, and adopt a soothing, low tone with her. Say the same thing over and over, till she gets used to hearing it, such as Penny is a good girl, she's so pretty, I'm so glad Penny came to live with us. (Silly I know, but it works for me.) Find an old blanket, wrap it around yourself for a few days, then put it out where she can bring it under the porch for bedding. She'll get used to your scent faster, and accept your approaching her. Give her some toys, and avoid leashes, collars and chains for now.

Above all, take it slowly. Once you can get near her, don't raise your hands above her head, to give her more confidence.

Good luck!

quote:

Originally posted by rockingc:

quote:

Originally posted by NativeGatorGal:

quote:

Originally posted by inquisitorautry:

quote:

Originally posted by rockingc:
About two months ago we had a little puppy adopt us. I say little she was maybe three months old at the time. Anyway, she spends most of the time under the deck, coming out occasionally to play and eat.

She is a pretty puppy, some type of collie, but she's still scared of any noise, person, or animal, except squirrels. She stays under the deck and growls at me when I feed her, but from fear not that she's mean.

I've made some progress with her and she is staying out more and seems to want some attention, but though I can get closer to her, I'm a long way from being able to pet her.

I'm usually pretty good with animals and don't have any problems making friends with most any dog. I think she must have been born to a stray and hasn't had any human contact or was badly treated by someone.

Any advice on how to win her over?

I think the treats idea is good.

Another suggestion is to hang around outside after you feed her. Everyday move a bit closer to her, if she starts to think your too close back up a bit and try to get closer the next day. Eventually she should get used to you enough to be around you without fear. All animals have what is known as a "flight zone," which is basically how close an animal will let something that is unfamiliar get close before it runs. You are essentially trying to reduce her flight zone to the point it doesn't exist. I will now refrain from going into a fascinating (to me) theory about how dogs possibly began domesticating themselves before humans even got involved.

Great start to reducing her fear of humans. Most likely, she was raised by someone abusive. Give her a name, a pretty one, and adopt a soothing, low tone with her. Say the same thing over and over, till she gets used to hearing it, such as Penny is a good girl, she's so pretty, I'm so glad Penny came to live with us. (Silly I know, but it works for me.) Find an old blanket, wrap it around yourself for a few days, then put it out where she can bring it under the porch for bedding. She'll get used to your scent faster, and accept your approaching her. Give her some toys, and avoid leashes, collars and chains for now.

Above all, take it slowly. Once you can get near her, don't raise your hands above her head, to give her more confidence.

Good luck!

Thanks everyone.

NativeGatorGal, I have been talking to her when I feed her, haven't given her a name yet just call her sweet puppy.

Toys and maybe a rawhide chew are on Amy's shopping list for tomorrow, maybe that will at least curb some of the digging she's doing.

I'm starting to believe she may be part coyote, which would explain why she's so jumpy and uncomfortable around humans.

Anyway time to go feed her.

quote:

Originally posted by jereed:
Seems young to have developed all that fear (or shyness). Treats like Termi said. Maybe sit out there and just hang out quite a bit until she gets really used to you and develops trust. She's not territorial near the deck is she???