[b52x]

We are seeking help with a dog (female standard Poodle) that has still not adjusted to me after 2 years. It is my girlfriend's dog, and even after 2 years of dating the dog is still deathly afraid of me. I have always been good with animals, I'm usually the one that will have a dog licking my face in short order, even if I was told "he will never like you. He doesn't like new people..." Animals normally take to me right away. My girlfriend's cats on the other hand absolutely love me. To the point of almost being ridiculous. Her daughters have accused me of 'breaking the cats' because they listen to me over anyone else in the house. They will both stop what they are doing and run into the room to greet me. I am able to hold and touch the cats in ways nobody else is able to do. If I call one of the cats, they will show up every time. I can flip one of them over and cradle her like an infant-which the cat will not allow anyone else to do. The other one likes to hang out on my shoulders while head butting me and purring in my ear. So I don't think its me. We have tried going slow and one thing at a time, but this dog is just paranoid of me and we can't figure out why. She will leave the room and leap over furniture to get away from me. There is no history of abuse, and nobody has ever hit this dog that anyone is aware of. The dog is not the type to be bribed with snacks either, she doesn't usually eat them anyway. The only time I am able to touch the dog is when someone is between us, like on the couch for example. I can understand the dog being afraid for a time, but it's been 2 years and I have done nothing to intimidate this animal. Today I went to pet the dog, and she felt cornered or something and flipped out and messed on the floor. So now, we are looking for assistance with this animal. Is there any method or something we can try to alleviate this unwarranted paranoia, or is this dog just not ever going to adjust?

 

[jagger]

First of all, stop trying to get the dog to like you. Second of all, and only you can answer this - do you really think the dog doesn't like you? Or could it be more that she doesn't trust you...? 2 years is a long time.

I assume your girlfriend is the one that walks the dog and such?