Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am currently having trust issue with my silver and white husky. When I pick her up she panics. She struggles, cries, whines throws her ears back and shift her eyes. When my wife picks her up she does not do this. I’ve tried holding her tight so she doesn’t fear being dropped, (not so tight as to restrict breathing, or movement, I don’t want to scare her worse), massaging and petting her, talking to her to reassure her, and offering her treats. She loves treats and is so scared she will not touch them. Her previous owner until she was 6 weeks was 3 females. I don’t know if me being a man is the problem, or the woman’s husband had done something and it is triggered when I hold her? She is the more confident of the two, yet her sister will let me do anything with her. She responds to me fine otherwise, I.E. commands and approaching me, just this thing. I realize I won’t always be holding her, but there are times when it is inevitable. Any help is appreciated.

When we first got our Sibe there was some initial trust issues with myself (a male) that weren't there with my wife. Instead of putting Bella's food in a bowl and just letting her have at it, I hand fed her for a week or so. I'd take a handful of her dog food and put it in my hand at a time and she would eat out of it little by little. This was a nice bonding experience for us and an oppotrunity for her to learn to trust me. After that there hasn't been an issue.

Beaufiful picture you have attached!!

Thank you.

She responds to me very well. I've fed her food and treats from my hand which she takes just fine. I also make sure I'm the one to bring them their food at meal times. She obeys me as well as 2 month old pups would obey anyone. She comes when I call. It's just when I pick her up. I don't know if the husband of the women who cared for them dropped or abused her? I can't figure what's connecting me picking her up to the panicing. It doesn't bother me horribly. I just want to make sure the mutual trust and respect is there for both me and my wife.

Men overall are intimidating to puppies- their deeper voices, heavier builds, and typically towering presence over a dog make an insecure puppy want to hide. I call it "Prinipal's office panic" like kids get when sent to the office for misbehaving- they'll get there and confess everything- even things that are irrelavant.

You have to be less intimidating to your pups. There's being alpha and then there's being a monster in your pup's eyes. Picking a puppy up is incredibly scary to a puppy especially when it thinks it's life is in danger. Of course it's going to stop eating and playing.

My recommendation to you is to get some toys, get on the ground with your pups and play with them. Don't be the big bully that comes along and scares them into submission. Once they learn you aren't going to kill them, slowly work up to picking them up by first restraining them next to you- while feeding them goodies. Then put a hand under them and take some pressure off their feet. Again treat them and praise them while doing this. If that goes well, pick them up and put them down fast. Again praise and treat them for this. Work up to longer amounts of time you can hold them. They'll get used to it quite quickly if you do this.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles