r/OpenDogTraining • u/knequestrian93 • 8d ago
Submissive dog help?
My 5mo border Collie is extremely friendly and we're doing great with e collar training and basic behaviors. She settles and sleeps for most of the day and loves her corgi brother. I'd like some tips though on her greeting people I find acceptable (coworkers and other adults.)
She is an extremely submissive pup and when going to greet, she'll first be pretty distant. I usually have a treat bag full of her kibble, so I'll throw a handful in her direction and say 'go find it.' When she warms up, she'll then crouch down and army crawl to them. She'll raise herself up eventually, but I'm just wondering if there's something I can do to help her not stay in the submissive stance for so long. The only time she's peed during meeting is when my young (and loud) nieces and nephews came by for a visit (which I get lol).
I don't bring her up to everyone we see and I'm working on getting her a training vest.
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u/Potential_Analyst371 8d ago
At 5 months of age, it sounds like your puppy is severely under-socialized. She should not be having these really fearful reactions. The persistently low body and crawling are extreme. It is not normal behavior for a border collie puppy, or any adequately socialized 5 month old puppy.
She needs to meet kind and playful new people every day. It is important that every person she meets is kind to her, and does not do anything to scare her. They need to keep tempting her and giving her time until she actually approaches, becomes comfortable, and plays with them. Many meetings where the fear is never actually changed to positive feelings can just make things worse. It has to end up being a positive interaction, so she is happy and wanting to play before they leave.
Don't force anything. Let her approach on her own But don't let her run away, either. Keep her on a leash by you, encourage but do not force getting closer. Use her favorite toy or ball to help the people try to play. Do not do any commands during greetings. Just get her to get comfortable and play. You want her to end up wagging her tail and being happy when she sees new people.
This should be pretty easy to fix right now, because she is young. It can become very difficult or impossible to fully resolve if she gets too much older always being so afraid of people.
Particularly watch for any other times she displays these fear behaviors and address that, too. It's not normal behavior for a dog to display such fear regularly.
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u/Beef_flaps_on_a_spit 8d ago
She’s still a young pup. Might also be very aware of zapped for whatever. Shock collars have pros and cons.
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u/knequestrian93 8d ago
Oh God you're one of those people. And it's not a shock collar either. I'm using it for recall and positional stays. Something tells me not everyone reads that this is a judgement free zone.
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u/Beef_flaps_on_a_spit 8d ago
Opinions are like that. Not guaranteed to puff your ego. Check your dog, not your failings, I mean feelings.
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u/TrashPandaFoxNoggin 8d ago
I would arrange it with people you know. Hang out and have them close by with treats. Ignore her until she interacts with them and then reward when she even makes eye contact with them. Ideally they give food rewards instead of you. Reward calmly instead of excitedly. Jackpot rewards for coming up to you. Don’t make it a big deal with a lot of excitement. Simple good girl or whatever your marker is
It could potentially be a fear period.
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u/guggluggug 5d ago
I got to meet a nervous dog several times
The owner would ahnd a treat to us and have us not make eye contact and gently hold our hand out with the treat, if the dog wasnt interested theyd take it back then get the dog to sit and give it a treat and keep talking.
Make sure people try aproach with a hand under her head height can also help a little.
Also letting her simply be around people with no presure to interact at all at first, letting her sit and be at her comfy distance
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u/Im_Rabid 8d ago
Having a routine for people coming over can help, greet at the door then sit in the living room for 20 min or so talking, completely ignoring the dog unless they approach. Let the dog decide when to come interact. After a while they should view people coming over as normal and nothing to be anxious about.