I don't know what is wrong with my dog.

[TFTgirl]

A few nights ago, my bf and I got into a huge fight. My dog was inside the room with us. We were yelling at eachother and he threw stuff against the wall, not at the dog or anything. My dog just croutched down with his ears down and tail down.

Now, whenever he sees me, he croutches down, his ears are down, and he runs away and hides in his little crate. The dog is a small toy breed. He was never this scared of me. he used to follow me around everywhere, we used to play together, he would run. Now, he just stays in one side of the room away from me. How do I fix this behavior? i don't want to hold him too much or else he might think that this behavior is good. I just want my old dog back.

Specs: 4 months old.
toy fox terrier
boy

[borzoimom]

I believe the dog is smart enough to know that the anger was directed at you, and he doesnt want to get in trouble by being around it.
I wont get into having a fight and throwing things- whether its a child or a dog, this behavior is a form of verbal abuse and people shouldl control their tempers. ( thats all I will say..)
As far as your dog, you need to make a effort of assurance. Trust has been broken for now. Start by when the dog appears fearful at you, do the dog " ignore". This is a slow calm glance away. In dog language you told the dog " I am not focusing on you, and accept your presence. Also when you glance at the dog, keep calm quiet, assuring eyes, but glance away SLOWLY . Try sitting on the floor with the dog in the room. I would not use the bedroom at this point as that is where the conflict took place. Maybe give little treats like your dog likes- like little pieces of hotdog or pieces of cookies. Hand it near you, but dont force the issue. Also do not reach over the dogs head. This blocks the dogs sight for a second not allowing the dog to see your calm quiet eyes.
Above all- keep the arguements of this explosive nature out of the house for now. The dog saw a side of both you he didnt know existed... This is going to take time. In other words- the dog now thinks if you are around- something is going to go flying across the room. Whoever was yelling when the crash occured, the dog thinks is the one that did it.
Femka- if the voices get raised, even watching a football game, she leaves the room. There were lots of fights were she came from. She is not cowering but it obviously upsets her.

[jackmilliesmom]

Terriers are very sensitive to raised voices and arguments. My two tend to run and hide or cover their faces, or for a reminder they will bark if John and I have a spat. Jack will automatically take my side Millie just runs for cover and stays away until she is sure it is safe to come back. Not to ask for details but is your dog a rescue and if so what was his backround, did he come from an abusive home and maybe that is why he is staying away making sure that it is ok to come back and he will be like Millie only if he feels it is safe to come back and not before then.

Try reassuring him give him a rub on the nose or under the chin if he likes it just while you are passing if he growls leave him you can pm me or mail me if you think it might help I know what it is like for this to happen

[TFTpwnsYou]

You could try working with treats and getting him to come to you. Just make sure you're relaxed and calm when doing it so he doesn't become more spooked. Or just lay on the floor and wait for him to come to you and give him praise and treats when he does. Any time you would get into a fight take the dog out of the room. I don't even raise my voice in front of mine. If I feel that situation escelating I remove the dogs from the room. Kind of like a child...you don't want them to see it. But I do agree with Borzoimom on it as well. I'm sorry that you're in that situation because when things do go wrong that dog is the one that is there.

[borzoimom]

Also keep in mind- at 4 months old is a fear stage- you will need to work with this.

[TFTgirl]

Thank you for your comments and for giving me the opportunity to hear your suggestions.

To help answer questions,

1. the pup is not from an abusive home, he was raised with his parents and brother.
2. This morning I did a little bit of training to help alleve his nerves, he was good, he sat, stayed, jumped, layed.. etc.. but, when I leave the room and come back he still shakes and seeks comfort in his crate.
3. I will do the treat thing so that he stays calm.

I will continue to work with him so that he will slowly grow out of it. Thank you for opening my mind and helping me.

[borzoimom]

The fact he is responding is a very good sign. Just enter the room and do that glance, calm and quiet remembering he might be in that room. If he goes in his crate, ignore him. If you try to console him, you actually rewarded his running from you.

[luvofallhorses]

the poor baby. I would suggest you socialize him as much as you can that way he isn't scared. and it sounds like to me he knew what was going on and didn't want to get involved. in his previous home he could have been yelled at and maybe that's why he acted the way he did.

[TFTgirl]

This one is the hardest thing, but I know that this is the right thing to do. Thank you for your suggestion. I will make sure to practice this when I get home.

"Just enter the room and do that glance, calm and quiet remembering he might be in that room. If he goes in his crate, ignore him."

[borzoimom]

This one is the hardest thing, but I know that this is the right thing to do. Thank you for your suggestion. I will make sure to practice this when I get home.

"Just enter the room and do that glance, calm and quiet remembering he might be in that room. If he goes in his crate, ignore him."

YOu dont want him to think you entering or existing a room is a big deal. And as I said although to us offering condolances to a person would give reassurance, you are actually praising him for being afraid. Same thing like a dog that gets nervous at a vets office or a car ride.