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I got a 6 month old dachshund from what I believe was a puppy mill. He is a pure bred, but because he has a flat foot, he was going to get put to sleep because nobody wanted him. When we first brought him home he was extremely shy. He was lethargic, and didn't bark, or play at all. He seemed somewhat scared of everyone, but especially scared of my husband. He would run away anytime he heard my husband or saw him. Then after we had had him for about 5 days he started growling and barking at my husband. He seems to do ok with other men, but he still seems scared. He has warmed up to my daughter and I a great deal. He plays alittle bit now, and seems to have a bite more energy. But, for some unknown reason he continues to bark, growl, and run from my husband. My hubby doesn't do any of the disciplining, and he feed Diggity his treats and pets him frequently, but it hasn't done a bite of good.We have also tried having my husband just totally ignore him, but that didn't work either. We have had Digs for about a month now, and still the problem persists. When my daughter and I potty him he will walk around the yard, but when my hubby potties he puts him down in the yard and Digs runs straight for the porch and lays there and pees all cowared down like he is immobolized with fear. When hubby is home all he wants to do is hide under the bed. The strage thing is he will let my husband hold him and although he seems scared at times, sometimes he will even fall asleep in his arms. I am not sure how to get the dog to warm up to him, but if it doen't happen soon my hubby says i will have to get rid of the dog. I need to know what to do when he hides, barks, growl. I also need to know what my husband should do to get the dog to warm up to him. Please help. Thank YOu.

>>I got a 6 month old dachshund from what I believe was a puppy mill. He is a pure bred, but because he has a flat foot, he was going to get put to sleep because nobody wanted him. When we first brought him home he was extremely shy. He was lethargic, and didn't bark, or play at all. He seemed somewhat scared of everyone, but especially scared of my husband. He would run away anytime he heard my husband or saw him. Then after we had had him for about 5 days he started growling and barking at my husband. He seems to do ok with other men, but he still seems scared. He has warmed up to my daughter and I a great deal. He plays alittle bit now, and seems to have a bite more energy. But, for some unknown reason he continues to bark, growl, and run from my husband. My hubby doesn't do any of the disciplining, and he feed Diggity his treats and pets him frequently, but it hasn't done a bite of good.We have also tried having my husband just totally ignore him, but that didn't work either. We have had Digs for about a month now, and still the problem persists. When my daughter and I potty him he will walk around the yard, but when my hubby potties he puts him down in the yard and Digs runs straight for the porch and lays there and pees all cowared down like he is immobolized with fear. When hubby is home all he wants to do is hide under the bed. The strage thing is he will let my husband hold him and although he seems scared at times, sometimes he will even fall asleep in his arms. I am not sure how to get the dog to warm up to him, but if it doen't happen soon my hubby says i will have to get rid of the dog. I need to know what to do when he hides, barks, growl. I also need to know what my husband should do to get the dog to warm up to him. Please help. Thank YOu.

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YOu need the help of an expert in person, not only to work with the dog but to help the two of you make a decision. If the dog is aggressive (the expert can help determine that more objectively), your husband is just as financially and legally liable when the dog hurts someone as you are. He has to have the right to say he's not willing to take on that liability. Your vet can help you find someone in your area who is qualified to help with the dog.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

choose the dog!! I suspect that the poor animal was abused and neglected. My mom has a dog that she got from a shelter that had similar problems. Its took several months for him to learn to not expect a beating from men. Today he is a great dog.

Maybe your hubby reminds Digs of the person who abused him.