i adopted a shelter dog today, an absolute sweetheart. one issue i have
is when i go to praise her
for pooping outside she absolutely reacts with what appears to be fear,
yelps and falls over and
exposes her belly. Would this indicate that she has suffered abuse in
the past? i suspect it does, i
just wanted confirmation, thanks.............

On 1 Nov 2006 18:48:43 -0800, , clicked their
heels and said:

i adopted a shelter dog today, an absolute sweetheart. one issue i have
is when i go to praise her
for pooping outside she absolutely reacts with what appears to be fear,
yelps and falls over and
exposes her belly. Would this indicate that she has suffered abuse in
the past? i suspect it does, i
just wanted confirmation, thanks.............

Don't surmise anything, and don't assume abuse (or treat her like she
was abused by coddling her).

When you praise her, is it physical? If so - stop. A simple "good
business" should be adequate and not too interactive. Give her time
and speak in calm tones and let her figure out that you're not scary
(you're not scary, are you? ;-D).

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

said in rec.pets.dogs.behavior:

Would this indicate that she has suffered abuse in
the past? i suspect it does, i
just wanted confirmation,

Add a third who doesn't believe this indicates abuse. Abuse is
overrated.

And, what Janet said.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.

On Thu, 2 Nov 2006 07:00:21 -0500, montana wildhack
wrote:

On 2006-11-01 21:48:43 -0500, said:

Would this indicate that she has suffered abuse in
the past?

It might indicate that a belly rub followed praise in the past.

Heh. Sammie goes belly up half the time that he comes when called.
It's like the only reason he is bothering to show up is that he
figured he could get a belly rub out of it. It's kind of hard to
think of him as abused, though, because he is wagging his tail and
doing the squirmies in excited anticipation while lying there on his
belly.

--
Paula
"Anyway, other people are weird, but sometimes they have candy,
so it's best to try to get along with them." Joe Bay

On 1 Nov 2006 18:48:43 -0800, wrote:

i adopted a shelter dog today, ... Would this indicate that she has suffered abuse in
the past? i suspect it does, i just wanted confirmation, thanks.............

That's a logical suspicion--until one gains more experience. As you've
already been informed, the answer is, "No". Does she duck, when you go
to pat her head, or run for cover, if you shout? Things like that are
more indicative of abuse, but still not conclusive.

One of the most important lessons I've learned about canine behavior,
especially in shelter dogs, is that their behavior reflects not only
what has been done to them, but also what has not been done to them, or
for them.

Your dog is probably more spoiled than fearful. But she might also be a
bit insecure, too. Going from an environment where she was spoiled, to a
shelter is a Big change.

My Chow Chow/Pekingnese, Sophie, is a shelter dog, and I'm not sure she
even knows what fear is. She often goes upside down, for belly rubbing.
I'm usually happy to oblige.

I think the verbal praise for going to the bathroom at the right place
and time is fine, but don't reward the unwanted behavior, the yelping
and going upset down. Since you know she enjoys belly rubs, make them
rewards for other things or for quality time. This is merely my opinion.




________________________
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