Dog is a bit jumpy and nervous??

[poofy]

How do you help to ressure a dog that jumps at evey noise and
and get shaky.He is not afraid to bark at someone at the door.
Its only sudden nosies that send him up in the air. Its very sad..
I alawys take him and comfort him and assure him.And he is better.If hes laying on the floor , he jumps eve time i walk by, i try to walk arund an assure him its ok when i do..:)

[Dixieland Dancer]

I would be interested in knowing why you think the dog is so jumpy. Is this a dog you had from a puppy? How old is it now? Without knowing more of the background, it is difficult to give accurate advice.

If the situation is extreme you can try adding some rescue remedy in the dogs water. It has worked wonders for a lot of dogs that display that type of behavior.

[lv4dogs]

I agree with dixie.

When you "assure" him that everything is alright, do you talk in a baby voice? Kind of the same voice that you use when you praise him for being good?
If so that may be the reason why he's not getting any better. It's not the reason it started it though.
What he sees is you praising him. He thinks that you like it when he acts like that.
I know it's hard but you need to ignore or punish that behavior. Only praise him (or use simliar praise tones & actions) when he is behaving the way you want.

Now to figure out what may be causing it & how to help him overcome is fear better. Thats where we need more info.

Good luck!

[poofy]

No i adopted him , and he was pretty young..
sudden noise just makes him jump, and yes i am guilty of using the same voice i praise him in..:( I will change that..I do know he was mistreated from a puppy. he is such a good little dog and full of love and fun, but jumps evey time i move or something moves..will try the other voice to sooth him and see if that works, hes almost 3 now. He just learned to give paw and learning to say prayers..lol..we had quite a romp outside today, he really enjoyed that, whew but its hard on me I havent run in years, more weight loss i hope..lol..and he is much happier then he use to be..i will keep working with him..Didnt get the dog at the shelter, the poor thing is very ill, very..they were calling in the manager to have it taken to the vet..:(

[lizbud]

Originally posted by lv4dogs
I agree with dixie.

When you "assure" him that everything is alright, do you talk in a baby voice? Kind of the same voice that you use when you praise him for being good?
If so that may be the reason why he's not getting any better. It's not the reason it started it though.
What he sees is you praising him. He thinks that you like it when he acts like that.
I know it's hard but you need to ignore or punish that behavior. Only praise him (or use simliar praise tones & actions) when he is behaving the way you want.


Good luck!


I agree with Dixie too, but not the" punish the behavior"
advice. Positive reinforcement is a better way.

[poofy]

I undersatnd, I picked up a bag and it rattled and he jumped, so I just said as i would to any one..ITs just a bag see, lay down and dont worry aobut it.So am going to see if that helps, I sure hope so..
I found one flea since i have had him and that was today..so i gave him a flea and tick bath, and hes enjoying the air sitting here bye me asleep afet the blowdrying and brushing..If youve evey lived alone ..I have been alone for over 15 years..didnt think of getting another dog..you just never know what it is like to enjoy the sweetness of a little one like this..lol..my life has been so much more enjoyable since I adopted him..lol..:D

[HollywoodNVegas]

I wanted to add something to everyone's post and your last past (the owner). As an obedience instructor, I often see the same problem or similar situation with anxiety. You should not punish your dog whatsoever. He is acting "jumpy" from an anxiety or fear and if you are to swat or scold, that only heightens the anxiety. By telling him he is ok and soothing him, babying him, you are reinforcing the behavior and he will progress in the direction.

What you need to do is one of two (several more beyond this also) things:

1) Ignore him. I know its hard, but it does not ignore nor punish the behavior.
2) Try working him through an anxiety with training. For example, if he is scared during a storm, do some commands with him. Offer him a reward after every command. This will be rewarding him for the behavior you want and are receiving, versus anxious behavior.

Best of luck.

[poofy]

1) Ignore him. I know its hard, but it does not ignore nor punish the behavior

This i have found to be working pretty good..I just act like its nothing. I dont know how it will be inthe end but for now I think ill take this route and just go as if its nothing and hope he does the same..thanks so much Pj