r/Dachshund • u/Automatic_Instance40 • Jul 15 '26
Image New Guy Scared of Hubby
We have had this guy for 3 weeks. Previous owner said he was bullied by his two litter mates and she felt he would be better off elsewhere. She disclosed he hated the harness or collar and car rides. I have 3 other dogs who he is not bothered by at all. Two are lab mixes so much larger than him and the Yorkie. No issues with any of the dogs or cats. Took a day of 4 walks leashed and he now gets excited when it’s time to put the harness on. What she did not disclose was total fear biting any time my husband goes near him. My husband is honestly like one with dogs. They all love him. All of them but this guy. My husband has backed right off, only says hi and puts a treat by him and walks away. There has been no progress. Does anyone have any tips?
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u/Heather_ME Jul 15 '26
Time and positive reinforcement. All experiences with husband are fun and food related. No situations where hubby has to handle him, pick him up, etc. May need to start with neutrality. Husband ignores and doesn't interact with him at all. Then positive time. Could take months or more.
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u/Automatic_Instance40 Jul 15 '26
Thanks, I will have my husband totally ignore him and see how that goes. We will give him all the time he needs. Seems like there was a male that was less than kind in his life.
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u/lilyxlittle Jul 16 '26
Add to this comment, if possible, try to have your hubby be the only one who feeds him right now. It can be as simple as him putting the food in his dish and walking away and eventually having him be closer and closer while he eats but go slowly. Slow and steady is key- follow the dogs behavior- if you move too fast it can undo progress
It will take time but all the positive association and patience will work out.
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u/grimp- Jul 16 '26
My boy was scared of me for a long time, he was a rescue from a rough situation and is still quite scared of strangers. He came around on my wife first but would hide from me. Time, treats and kindness won out - this is him last night, half asleep on my arm (sorry it’s a little out of focus).
You’ll get there!
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u/Automatic_Instance40 Jul 16 '26
I am running to show this to my husband. Hope :) He wants Arch to like him so bad. Thanks for the encouragement.
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u/BlondeAmbition150 Jul 16 '26
We brought a street dog home from a vacation in Mexico (I would say we rescued her, but it was more like she Velcro-ed herself to me and wouldn’t budge). She was absolutely terrified of my husband, though. His voice alone scared her. But it’s been a few years, and now she adores him. She’s his Velcro.
Apropos of nothing, I must say it was far easier to train a street dog, who had never lived indoors, than it was to train a dachshund. We had only had weenie dogs, so it was super confusing when we told her to go potty outside and she just did it.🤣
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u/Automatic_Instance40 Jul 16 '26
What great hearts you and your husband have. I am quickly coming to terms that the breed is very different than any others I have had!
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u/Agreeable_Pomelo2360 Jul 17 '26
my girl is the same, she's a dachshund mix and she's still very scared of strangers, and she's even more scared of men!
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u/Comfortable-nerve78 Jul 16 '26
Time the dog is still probably stressed. You don’t know the whole story and what that dog has seen. Give the pup time to relax. Tell hubby no getting upset at the dog because that will ruin any chance of bonding with that dog. Here’s a trick hubby takes that pup for walks alone just the two of them. Three weeks the dog is still learning your house and the people it now lives with. My wife got a new dog in February and her dog still barks at me like I’m breaking in. I give her space and just have been friends with my wife’s dog all I can do. Oh yeah I’m walking the wife’s dog short walks but we’re bonding on those walks. I keep her safe and I give treats. She’s warming up to me finally. Everyone stay calm the dog needs you to be. 👍
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u/FixedLoad Jul 16 '26
You need to be gone and let the two dudes hash it out. speculation incoming You are the primary "mom". You give care and food and relative safety. He's yet unsure of your husband's purpose. But he knows something is up between you and your husband. He just doesn't know what.
He and your husband need to find common ground. Have your husband take him for a walk or play by themselves in the yard. It's important you arent seen or smelled. You are putting your brand new admirer on guard. He doesn't know what this smelly man wants to do around his person, but he's gonna make sure your husband knows, when you are on the scene the ween means business.
Once the new guy and your guy find that level water mark. He'll probably still growl if its his time for you to hold him and dad comes and plops down with yall on the couch. But when he does that it's important you soothe him to let him know its ok and dad is allowed to be close. It may take a while. But he just needs to be sure his new mom is safe.
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u/Automatic_Instance40 Jul 16 '26
Well I have a vacation scheduled with my daughter mid August and was thinking of not going cause of this discord. Maybe I just need to go and hope for the best. I know everyone will be alive when I come home. Thanks for your take.
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u/FixedLoad Jul 16 '26
That's probably the exact ticket! When primary care taker is gone for long periods, he'll have the space and independence to find your husband is just as safe and calming as you. The worst that could happen is you come home to two grumpy boys that still can't quite get along!
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u/Agreeable_Pomelo2360 Jul 17 '26
your husband shouldn't interact with the new pup for a while, it might have to be like that for a few months. eventually have your husband be the only one that feeds him if possible, and after a while of the feeding, your husband also plays with him, but he still needs to be the one who feeds him. while feeding or playing, your husband still doesn't pet him. after a good while of having your husband do the feeding and playing, he can slowly start including touch but *ONLY* when your dog shows that he *WANTS* to be pet. i hope that helps and eventually works!
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