Ask the Behaviorists: Regaining a Pup's Trust

My five-month-old Shih Tzu nipped at me the last week, and I swatted her on the nose. Now she trembles when I approach her, and she doesn’t want anything to do with me. How can I regain her trust?

Your puppy has associated you with the punishment you delivered for her nipping. Now she trembles in fear or avoids you altogether whenever you approach because she’s anticipating another swat on the nose. This can happen if a punishment is too intense (your puppy may be very sensitive, and the swat was too harsh for her) or if she has not already learned to associate your hands with good things. Continue...


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