Teased German Shepard

[mia]

Hi Guys.

My daughter has a beautiful silver and black German Shepard, she is still so much puppy at 8 months and she loves my Golden, they play and swim all day.

Today some kids were riding by on bikes and she nipped a girl, Never broke the skin and she is up to date on all shots/and rabies shots.

She was teased as a very young puppy and that is why she is acting this way. She hates bikes.

Anyone have any idea how to break her of this? I am thinking of taking her with me when I ride my bike and let her know bikes are fun.

Any Ideas will be greately appreciated. Thank You.

[jude09]

I think that's a good idea Mia, let her understand that bikes aren't bad and scary but take it slowly at first letting her see and sniff the bike can be a good start.

If you think she's getting relaxed with the bike then slowly let her observe people riding the bike, the one riding the bike can be you or anybody close to your dog.

It's important to take things slowly.

[MaryAnn]

YES!!! Definitely..... The solution is SLOW EXPOSURE to whatever it is that is causing the fear. Desensitizing a dog to a fearful stimulus is a long, slow process. You have to gradually condition the dog that the presence of the stimulus he was wary of now makes good things happen to him. He gets delicious food, he plays his favorite game, or he chews his favorite bone whenever that scary thing is present. Gradually, he will begin to relax and his stress levels will fall. It may take weeks, even months. You will need the help of a qualified trainer who uses positive methods.

It is up to you to manage your dog's environment so that he doesn't experience the stimulus again in the same way.

Always be sensitive to the fact that fears and phobias, whether they are the product of breeding or learned experience, need to be treated slowly and carefully. Be very patient and never force your dog. He is feeling a very real emotion.

[mia]

Thank You Jude09 and MaryAnn, it is raining today but I am going to start taking my bike out and let Asiah see it and then move to sitting on it while talking to her and let my daughter do the same and give her treats as she gets used to it. She is still young so I hope we can break her of this. The kids that teased her would go by my daughters house in town if she was tied up and stay beyond her tie out and tease her. My daughter talked to the kids and told them to leave her alone because if she is ever loose, who knows what she would do, but then the damage was already inflicted.

Wish us luck, Thank You.

[ShardaBaker]

Yes, I agree with Jude and Mary Ann...Great job girls!

Just take it slow and steady Mia and I'm sure that your sheppy can overcome her fear.

With a mommy like you I'm sure that your sheppy can do it.