I need some advice quick. I've been hired to house sit and look after some dogs for 3 weeks. There are 8 dogs. I get along with all of them perfectly fine except for 1. The dog is deathly afraid of me for some inexplicable reason. I thought that by now he'd have warmed up to me like the rest. None of the other dogs behave this way and they're all friendly. If I approach the dog he will piss himself and run away. He refuses to eat anything I give him. I'm worried because he hasn't eaten anything in 2 days and his fear for me has only grown despite my best efforts to be friendly with him. What the hell do I do? I'm trying to not get angry but its extremely frustrating. I have experience working with aggressive dogs but I have no strategy for cowardly dogs. Urgent.
The last "balanced trainer" he ran into looked like you.
Not eating for two days can be okay short-term but not drinking water is dangerous. Is the dog hydrated? If not, that's urgent. Call the vet and owner. NOW.
In the meantime, offer low-or-no sodium chicken stock or broth with no onion or garlic in it.
Secondly, does the dog have its own space? A cage with an open door and a blanket over it can give it some comfort and you should feed it on its own there but don’t try to force food or attention. Rather, just sit nearby without facing the dog. Read, putz about on your phone, do whatever else but don't force interaction for now.
Third, have you tried using a high-value food like plain, boiled chicken breast, treats or warm wet food or meat-based baby food (again, without onion or garlic)? Try to keep it on your person as you sit nearby while doing whatever else. Let the dog come to you but hand-feed only if they’re comfortable, otherwise just leave the food and walk away.
Finally, is the dog displaying any other fear behaviours? Whale-eye? Shivering? Whimpering? Slow movement? Head down? Tail down? Etc etc etc
What about pooing or vomiting? The dog could simply be poorly.
>>5022168ACDs aren't aggressive. You have them confused with australian shepherds.
>>5022172tail tucking and shivering if I get too close. No vomiting or anything else like that. I leave water out for them so they have access to water at all times. I assume he is drinking but I know he isn't eating.
>>5022167Have you been wearing the same/similar clothes?
I housesat before and when I landed on a bright color shirt the dogs were weirded out and thought I was a whole new guy. Maybe try looking very different?
>>5022177When has an ACD ever killed anyone you nigger?
>>5022178>assumeWatch to make sure and try some of
>>5022172. If you can't confirm that he's been drinking soon, call the vet
>>5022255Never. He's mixing them up with australian shepherds.
>>5022155 (OP)call the owners and explain. you may get a lawsuit if it dies
