Dog is afraid of everything

Halifax

I adopted two dachshunds a while back. One I've had for nearly a year (Lenny), one I got around 4 months after the first (Dwight). I got Dwight because I thought Lenny was lonely. He seemed scared of everything and just all around depressed. He has improved since I got Dwight for him to play with, and they have both taken on characteristics of each other (Dwight took on more from Lenny than the other way around, even though Dwight is the dominant one). However, Lenny is still scared of everything but one of my roommates and my mom. I can only assume that whoever owned him before me treated him badly, but he seems to trust larger people (my roommate and my mom are both pretty big).

He's not lethargic in any way, just won't trust people, it seems. He won't look me in the eyes and has to always stay behind me. Despite all this, though, he always wants to be near me so I'm sure there's hope for him. Is there anything I can do that'll show him he doesn't have to be afraid of everything? He's around 2 years old now and hasn't shown much improvement since I got him despite being treated well.

kmes

My pekes can be rather shy and Pearl is sometimes fearful in new situations. I find it really helps to get them out into the world and to make sure they have as many good experiences as possible!

Here are a few simple things you can do:
Have all guests give treats to the dogs
Take them to stores that allow leashed dogs (Mine love going as the cashiers always have yummy treats)
Take them to an obedience class
Just sit somewhere busy (a park, a store entrance etc.)

laurah

hi, my terrior is so nervous i've never seen a dog so nervous like him, i got him at 6weeks so im sure he wasnt abused. he pees from his nervousness, its worse and worse, pet him he pees, look at him he pees, he is just such a nervous little thing i feel terrible for him. we are trying everything to get him to stop nothing so far has been successful! i think for your dog just give him lots of love and accept that this is his character and maybe by seeing you more relaxed with him he might just pick up on it and get over it himself?

fawkese1

this is good advice... remember tho, that the experiences should be positive from the dog's perspective... i bring treats with me most of the time so that i know my dog will get something positive out of all interactions...
tho i don't think that the dog will get over it on his own, i do think this is very good advice... if you are stressing or tensing up during any interaction with your dog, he is going to pick up on it. making sure that you are calm will help him...