Shenzi 🐾. My 11 & a Half Week Old Merle Frenchie - Any advice as a novice owner would be invaluable in this crucial developmental stage

[Bell]

Hi this is Shenzi she is nearly 12 weeks old. I have enrolled her onto a puppy socialisation class but unfortunately the next enrolment isn’t until the beginning of July. She’s good with noises outside and in the house, but shakes at times when going into the car or outside the front of our house as it is a busy road. I sit at the window with kibble and mark ‘yes’ when she sees a car, person or bike go past etc to condition a calm, positive response. Then I open the window to increase the sound exposure slightly and that is going well. I’ve moved to sitting on a stool near the front door in the mornings at 5am when there is minimal traffic and public walking by. That seems to be going well. My question is - for a dog that is showing fear I FEEL and Think I’m doing the right thing by not going past her personal threshold as to not induce a fear response that she will be stuck with for the rest of her life.

- Am I right to hold her in my arms when we go to Pets at Home so she feels secure? If I put her on the ground and she shivers in fear that’s going to make her scared of going in there again right? I don’t want to treat her like a baby but also she is a puppy and the world is scary for the first time !

- I tell people to not make eye contact with her as she barks out of fear and that helps. People don’t listen a lot and talk to her and go down to her and she doesn’t like it. I’m doing the right thing by telling humans off for not listening to my direction to protect my puppies needs aren’t I?

Is this normal for a new pup to be fearful of new places people etc. am I handling it correctly? I don’t want to be a bad guardian for her. She’s so loving and amazing, any advice you can give me for the next few crucial months would be invaluable

Much Love

Bell and Shenzi xxxxxxxxx

 

[2bullymama]

You are totally correct in telling people to back off after you said not to interact with your baby.

One thing you shouldn’t carry her when out.. continue doing small sessions to expose her and continue to desensitize. Don’t try to comfort her when she is nervous or upset— that tells her the behavior is acceptable.

Good luck and stay consistent

 

[Compassion]

View attachment 26416
Hi this is Shenzi she is nearly 12 weeks old. I have enrolled her onto a puppy socialisation class but unfortunately the next enrolment isn’t until the beginning of July. She’s good with noises outside and in the house, but shakes at times when going into the car or outside the front of our house as it is a busy road. I sit at the window with kibble and mark ‘yes’ when she sees a car, person or bike go past etc to condition a calm, positive response. Then I open the window to increase the sound exposure slightly and that is going well. I’ve moved to sitting on a stool near the front door in the mornings at 5am when there is minimal traffic and public walking by. That seems to be going well. My question is - for a dog that is showing fear I FEEL and Think I’m doing the right thing by not going past her personal threshold as to not induce a fear response that she will be stuck with for the rest of her life.

- Am I right to hold her in my arms when we go to Pets at Home so she feels secure? If I put her on the ground and she shivers in fear that’s going to make her scared of going in there again right? I don’t want to treat her like a baby but also she is a puppy and the world is scary for the first time !

- I tell people to not make eye contact with her as she barks out of fear and that helps. People don’t listen a lot and talk to her and go down to her and she doesn’t like it. I’m doing the right thing by telling humans off for not listening to my direction to protect my puppies needs aren’t I?

Is this normal for a new pup to be fearful of new places people etc. am I handling it correctly? I don’t want to be a bad guardian for her. She’s so loving and amazing, any advice you can give me for the next few crucial months would be invaluable

Much Love

Bell and Shenzi xxxxxxxxx

Greetings Bell! Frenchies are not like any other breed so you must have tremendous patience. Get your doggy into a regular routine because they are very ritualistic and most have autism. Don't tell at them and you might want to save money on dog food and feed your Frenchie friskies tuna or salmon cat food. Bread with no crust or seeds, an a green apple a day. Make sure they poop normal and don't get backed up and do everything you can to make sure they don't get a food allergy. God bless

 

[frankthebulldog]

sounds like you're nailing the positive exposure training!

 

[Bell]

Greetings Bell! Frenchies are not like any other breed so you must have tremendous patience. Get your doggy into a regular routine because they are very ritualistic and most have autism. Don't tell at them and you might want to save money on dog food and feed your Frenchie friskies tuna or salmon cat food. Bread with no crust or seeds, an a green apple a day. Make sure they poop normal and don't get backed up and do everything you can to make sure they don't get a food allergy. God bless

Thank you for your reply! She is doing so well and it’s so helpful to be part of this community and have support from other frenchie parents

 

[Bell]

sounds like you're nailing the positive exposure training!

Thank you! I have with environments people and sounds but really need to start positive socialising with dogs - I let her to far past her threshold with her first ‘dog greeting’ and she reacted with barking and heckles up. I will take her to a park today early while there are not many people and dogs around - sit in a quiet place and get her in a down stay and reinforce no reactions when she observes ! Wish me luck! Thank you so much for your reply - it means a lot! X