advice please

[gunslingerspride]

Hi. My name is Shawna. 3 weeks ago I got a cocker spaniel from someone who rescued her. She has never had any attention, been bred too much, and is really skittish. The person said she was 3 and the vet said she could be but she is probably 6. I am trying to housebrake her and give her a good life. The vet says she has a heart murmur but without knowing her history doesnt know how serious it is. He said she might be okay when I get her bad teeth out after she is done with her meds. I adore her she is my little shadow. I am trying to give her a good life and any suggestions on helping her would be appreciated on housetraining or making her more comfortable or make her feel more loved. Thanks any advice would help, I just want to give her a good life.

[Tuckerdad]

Well, I never had to deal witha dog like that one, and I admire you for taking her in. The only thing I can think to tell you, is maybe try a small obedenice trianing group class, to help her get over being skittish. Other than that, just be patient with her, and give all the love and attention that you can.

[ann_hawes]

Just let her bond with you and more than half the battle is over. Take her places with you, and ignore fearful behavior as much as possible. Praise her for acting like a normal dog, and before you know it, that's what you'll have.
A training class would probably do wonders for boosting her confidence, as long as your trainer understands that's what you're trying to accomplish.
I adopt unwanted Rotties and have dealt with the same issues, with the main problem being that the dog was never socialized properly, never exposed to anything beyond a short chain or sometimes even a dank basement.

[k9mania]

You must be careful as Ann_Hawes said of the type of class or trainer you take her to. You do need to ignore fearful behavior and not pay attention to it or it will be reinforced. As she gets to know her surroundings and you, reward her when she is showing behaviors that are not as fearful. So if she does not cringe when seeing something new and walks by, reward with treat paired with verbal praise. Take it slow and be very patient. I commend you for your dedication to her.

[lovethatdogg]

Wow...well i am very happy that she went to a good home. Unfortiinatly dogs do not always reolise that. It is hard for me to give you advice because i deal with the same thing. I have had my boder collie for alomst a year now....still he has trust issues and many other things. I think they key to trust is simpy time..... make the important things like feeding time and walks. What i did was mixed the dog food with my hands....that way the scent of you is always around. I am not sure about potty training...but i am guessing encouragment is the best thing. Stay positive with her and any time she goes outside... really let her know how proud of her yopu are. :p :) :D :p
lovethatdogg

[kiya]

just love her an show her affection, but dont treat her like a baby:confused: i done that an my dog then thought he was higher than me,
i had to start treatin him like a dog rather than a baby haha, feed her after you have fed yourself, for example you have your dinner then feed her her dinner, this will let her know your the boss which will make her listen to you more, :)

[gunslingerspride]

Thumper is settling in really good. She is no longer skittish, in fact she acts like a spoiled rotten baby now like she has forgotten all the bad things that happened to her before she got rescued. I just dropped her off at the bet to get her bad teeth out and spayed. I was so nervous for her I cried especailly since she has a heart murmur. She didnt help any either when they took her she put her brakes on and looked at me like to ask why are you letting them take me. I cried all the way home, aint i a push over. I will keep everyone updated