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why is my new dog so scared?

i picked up my new havanese dog this morning from a rescue organization. He is very very nervous and seems to be scared in my house. He seems to stay in the same spot for hours at a time. He is up to date on all his shots, has been neutered, and has had worm tests. I don’t think he has been abused by a previous owner either. Sometimes he gets so nervous and scared that he starts shaking. He drank water, but he hasn’t eaten any of his food. I am really worried. What could be wrong? yes hes from a rescue and had foster parents. The problem is he won't go on walks. I put the leash on him and he doesn't move and I don't want to drag him along. I carried him outside with a leash once and he completely freaked out. He thought i was chasing him and then he stopped and sat down. He was shaking again so i brought him back in and calmed him down.
I’m sure you mean really well but you’ve asked this question 3 times already today. I’m sure your extreme nervousness is being transferred to this dog and he’s feeling it and you must know that dogs pick up on people’s emotions. By now this dog thinks he’s got a good reason to be feeling scared and nervous. You need to calm down if you want this dog to. Relax and back off and give this dog a chance to feel at home. Give him some time!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 at 3:07 am and is filed under Havanese Rescue. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  • Ista

    He’s in a brand new place, with a brand new person. It’s understandable that he’s a tad nervous and unsure of himself.

    Give him some time and be patient.
    References :

  • Rukia Kuchiki

    your dog could be scared because its in a place that it haven’t been before,i suggest that the next day if it continues like this go and see your local vet
    References :

  • :)

    He is in a new environment and it is very strange for him. He probably is very confused. Be patient. You just picked him up. Give him time to get used to and explore his new home.
    References :

  • Shih Tzu Mom

    BACK OFF!!! You need to give this dog some space and time! How do you think you would feel if you were the size of that dog and was just taken to a totally new enviorment and people were trying to get you to make up?

    For starters, get down to his level…e.i.lay down on the floor by him, sit on the floor by him, crouch on the floor beside him. Talk softly to him, and offer him small bits of food. Don’t try to force him to come to you or out of the corner if that is where he has gone to feel safe.

    Eventually, with lots of patience and love, this dog will probably come to you, and one day will become your best friend. Take your time…you have a whole lifetime of days ahead of you, and he needs to learn to know you on his own time, not yours. I know and understand that’s hard sometimes, beause we just want to pick them up and love them to death. But, in this case, slow and easy should be the course to a lasting and loving relationship. Good luck
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  • Betsy

    What kind of shelter did you pick him up from? A rescue type where he was fostered? Because if that’s the case he may have some seperation anxiety from his foster parents. If it was shelter where he was kept in a cage– was he there for a long time? He may be adjusting to life in more than a 6′x6′ space.

    Otherwise, he’s just stressing from having to adjust. Really very normal. Give it a few days, let him know that you’re his permanent home by showing him love and attention. Take him out for walks frequently so he gets used to his new surroundings, you could even walk him around your house and property so he knows his “main space.” And, you mentioned not eating, try hand feeding him (unless he’s food aggressive). This builds trust between you.

    If in ten days he’s still acting weird with no signs of improvement, take him to a vet, just to make sure he doesn’t need puppy prozac. :)
    References :
    I foster dogs.

  • Cricket

    I just looked on dogbreedinfo.com and Havanese appear to be wonderful dogs, but sensitive to their humans, especially tone of voice.

    So, his world has just turned upside down. AGAIN, since you got him from a rescue organization.

    Of course he’s nervous.

    Give him time to adapt and to explore (on his own.) Be gentle, patient and be aware of your tone of voice. Allow him to come to you and to learn to trust you. There’s no way of knowing what his previous life was like.

    He’ll eat when he’s ready.

    However, if he hasn’t eaten in a couple of days, a call or visit to the vet is in order.
    References :

  • shonoel

    Give him time and be very patient. Don’t try to force yourself on him or raise your voice when trying to get him to come to you. You got him from a shelter, which is really good of you, but you don’t know what experiences he might have had before he wound up there. Lay on the floor and talk to him in a very calm and soothing voice, don’t make sudden moves around him until he’s really confident with you. Good luck.
    References :

  • rocker_girl

    he is scared because he is in a different place. He is going to do this for a couple of days but soon he will get used to everything. Be sure to comfort him and give him lots of love.
    References :
    My dog did this as a pup. I wondered the same thing too. Give him time.

  • walking lady

    I’m sure you mean really well but you’ve asked this question 3 times already today. I’m sure your extreme nervousness is being transferred to this dog and he’s feeling it and you must know that dogs pick up on people’s emotions. By now this dog thinks he’s got a good reason to be feeling scared and nervous. You need to calm down if you want this dog to. Relax and back off and give this dog a chance to feel at home. Give him some time!
    References :

The Havanese Manual