Hi everyone.
This is a long shot as so far, nothing has worked, but I wonder if you might be able to help.

A friend of mine bought a Black Lab a year ago. When she selected her fropm the litter, the dog (Milly) ran up to her, was very friendly etc,...everything a puppy should be. However, this all changed when she went to pick her up a few weeks later.
Milly was very nervous, terrified of people. Fine with dogs, but was incredibly scared of people she didnt know.
It took me a couple of days of trying to get her to be ok with me (which she is now)..but over the year, she has got worse and worse. I asked my friend and she told me the pups had been kept outside, so not much human contact perhaps? But she is at a dead end.
She has tried a behaviourist (but got told it was all her fault etc).
Its very hard to live with, she wont even walk past people sometimes.

I dont know.....is there anything anyone can suggest?

Thanks in advance.
x

Admin edit

Hi Merlin, What a sad situation. You are not casting aspurstion on the rest of the litter by putting Affix on the site just trying to find out some family history the breeding might not have any thing to do with this particual case but might just be able to help in some way, you never know the breeder her or him self may be on line and be able th answer your question's. Viv

Has she talked to the breeder?  I hope that I would be the first person asked if one of my puppy owners had a problem.

Thanks for your replies. I really appreciate it.
Her KC name is "Black Lady Tessa".
I am not sure if my friend has spoken to her. I have a feeling that she tried to some time ago, but wasnt given any help (but I couldnt guarantee that).

It is very sad. She is a wonderful dog (suffers from Osterchondrosis, but aside from that, very healthy and has the ability to be very loving)

We really would be very interested to know what the other pups turned out like.
She was born 1st September 2003 (just in case anyone on here has one.)

Do you know how old the pup was when picked up? A few weeks can make a difference but from what you say the difference was quite a lot.

I agree the breeder should be contacted, one who was helpful would be able to say if the pup had had some sort of accident or fright, or just was not socialised very well. A good breeder should always at least allow pups in the house to get used to vacuum cleaners etc and so on. My breeder friends tend to start pups off indoors and then when they start to get everywhere, keep them outside (looked after with vigilance, lots of visitors etc both male and female) and bring them in the house often too for getting used to indoors properly, this is really the very least a breeder should be doing.

If your breeder did not do this, then it may well be the reason as to why the pup changed from friendly to nervous because a lot happens to pups as they grow in the first few weeks and months, this is why socialisation is so crucial.

A good behaviourist hopefully would not dwell on the negative but would be experienced enough to give a programme based on conditioning the dog to be more confident. A reputable one would do this but it does require commitment from the owner.

A lot may also depend on how your friend chose to deal with the nervousness ie if she encouraged people to pet her but the dog was showing she was scared, that will  have been counter productive and it would have made the situation worse. The pup must always be the one to show initiative in reaching out to be friendly.

Hopefully the breeder will be able to shed some more light on the problem, however I suspect your friend will still need help to overcome this :)

The KC name of the dog doesn't really help as there is no affix.

I'd be interested to know if the pup has come from working / field trial breeding as a few VERY heavily used Field Trial Champion dogs were / are very sensitive and/or throw sensitive pups.

My own five & half month pup is very cautious of strangers and nervy around strange dogs despite having been brought up in exactly the same way as her bolder half sister and half brother (different litters - same dam different sires). I bred them all, so I know exactly what socialisation they have had. The grand-sire to this pup is becoming known for siring sensitive pups.

An aquaintance of mine bought a dog and bitch pup from a litter (experienced owner, pups kennelled separately). The dog pup is a typical bold lab, the bitch is very nervous of strangers. The grand-sire was apparently a nervy FTCh dog.

From what I am seeing with labradors the breeding can be key. Many are 'bomb-proof' virtually whatever socialisation, rearing and training they get (within reason). Others seem to be very nervy whatever you do with them!

Has she tried T touch massage to help her relax naturally. I deal with lots of dogs that have not been reared mentally correctly with sufficient human contact. T Touch really does work & fairly quickly too try this link

When I bred puppies I used to handle & talk to them all the time & have lots of people to do the same. All my bitches were ok with having their puppies handled from around two weeks of age & the puppies got used to being handled & cuddled & none ever had any temperament problems

It is definitely not her fault, I would never condone any"behaviorizt"telling clients it is your fault even if it was. They should be looking to build a relationship with the owner & help them put right the problem(s)

I would advise her to have a look around for pet dog training clubs & go along without the dog to check them out. If she finds one that uses kind methods & chats to the trainers to explain the problems before turning up with her dog. They will be prepared to help & can put together an"action"plan for helping her. I tell people if they have a problem dog to go & sit with the dog at first & use the T Touch to relax her.. Then I would have her sit in the middle & do the same. I would also get everyone else to ignore the dog & chat to the owner. Then when the dog is relxed she can join in training for a couple of minutes

Giving advice over the internet is very difficult. I want to reach our & reassure the owner & tell them yes it can get better. My Beardie Champion bitch went hand & people shy after rough treatment by a vet. It took a long time for her to overcome this, but as she gained her Championship she overcame it & more. I know where your firend is coming from