Flinching Dog

moaningmyrtle

Hi Pets -

My exh adopted a sweet, sweet, pit girl. She is two and a half, and was abused. He has babied and adored her to the point where she is caring and happy, but she still flinches when you go to pet her. Does anyone have any tips? Is this just something he can expect to go away with time?

Otterama

Is he being slow to pet her? I know if I move too fast, my girl gets nervous. Also, I like to keep away from petting her head at first.

OSULori

My pit mix is the same way and he defintiely seems to do better if I start petting his back first before working my way up to his neck/ears.  Petting him really slowly seems to help also.

SparrowGreen

We have a nervous girl, too.  Same as PP, we just try to move really slowly and give her time to warm up.  We expect that she will always startle easily, though.  It's just her personality. 

corgilove22

My Molly is a skittish girl too.  She came to us as a puppy so she wasn't abused, it is just her personality.  Even though she lives with both DH and I, I am the only one that can move quickly around her without her freaking out.  She just prefers slow, polite interactions with people.  I would just suggest moving slowly and building that trust with her. 

mainerocks

Do you know she was abused or just assuming since she flinches? Like PP mentioned, some dogs are just shy/nervous and that's their personality, not necessarily abuse. 

He could try crouching down and sideways, or sitting with his back to her so he doesn't appear scary and let her approach. Then start petting from under the chin instead of above.

Good luck and yay for adoption )