Would you consider adopting a dog, if they were terrified of other animals?

The dog in question is 14 months old, and apparently very scared of other animals, We don't have any other pets, but obviously the dog would see others along walks?I haven't owned my own dog before, other than the dogs my Mum and Dad had when I lived at home (4 years ago!)What do you think, can we help him, or is it really best to get a puppy?

So I take it the dog is also quite fragile around humans too?

I would do it. Someone has to, right? And if you believe you can take care of the dog, and give it the love it needs, you definitely should.

no way to know if this is genetic or experience or lack of socialization. for your first puppy, i think this would be too tall of an order, imho.p.s. since he's still young, someone else, who may have more experience with this, may adopt him soon. i would want to give him a chance with another person with experience. but if you take him now, and try as hard as you can for months, and come to the conclusion you can not do it (which is no insult to you honestly) he's older and has less a chance to be rehomed.

If you don't wish to have any other pets in the near future and you're willing to work with him to see if he can get over his fear, there's no reason why you can't give him a shot. It may take the help of a trainer if you find yourself not getting very far. Where I live most people don't let their dogs check out other dogs they meet on a walk so it may not be a problem anyway, depending on how senesitive he is. There are other options too, you don't need to get a pup if you'd rather have something that's already housetrained You can visit a shelter and meet with several dogs and see if any of them fit your criteria. Good luck!

I think if you start off with a dog that has problems then it might be to much. Helping an animal that is terrified can be very time consuming and is pretty hard to break.If you think you have time and energy to put towards helping the dog then go right ahead and get him/her but other wise I'd get a fresh start with a puppy.good luck!

I would work with an Animal Behaviorist to help it overcome it's fears.

14 months is still a puppy but you have to think about how much you know and time you can spend helping the dog out of his fear!!If you have the knowledge and time then give this poor dog a good, home. The thing is dogs or cats that are wither old or have problems are hard to re home. Please do not get put off with her/him problem, as I think proper training and time will soon sort it out.Gradually you can introduce and socialize with other animals, he/she will need to have a dominant figure to show that he/she has protection and prove there is nothing to fear.

Depends on how fearful.. It also depends on how much dog knowledge that you have and if you are truly willing to put up with the behavior until you get fixed or deal with it for the life of the dog if it cannot be fixed. As a new dog owner, you would be better off getting a dog that doesn't have much baggage There are dogs like this is the shelter as I have taken them. Puppies have their own set of issues. As a new dog owner, you might want to talk candidly to the shelter workers about your experiences and needs.

It will be hard work for you to do right by this dog if he is your first dog but not impossible.If you really feel the need to adopt this dog I would do so with a good team of experts around you.Find a good trainer who specialises in older dog socialisation and talk to them about it.IMO I would say don't do it though.As an inexperienced owner you could find you do more harm than good and end up returning an older and less home-able dog to he shelter.Its so very hard to not feel sorry for dogs needing a new home. My heart breaks whenever I see bull terrier types on shelter websites but I have a small house, small children and lots of other animals, I could not possibly let my heart rule my head and so I am waiting for my kids to be much older before I rescue one.Adopt an easy going dog with no history of abuse who has been socialised (they are out there!) perhaps an older dog? Then in a couple of years when you are more confident and experienced you can adopt a second dog who needs more care and training.Think long term.Good luck

For an experienced owner with a lot of training time to spare it would be fine but as this is your first dog of your own I wouldn't recommend taking on a dog that has behavioural issues. If your determined you are capable though then go for it but it would be horrible for the dog if you had to take it back because you couldn't cope! I have had my puppy for nearly 5 weeks and hes amazing as he is my first ever dog so I worried too much about the past of a rescue dog- not because of the dog but because I didn't have enough experience to be able to deal with issues that may arise.

it might fit in with your family (you'd need to hire a behaviorist to help address the problem, as you probably wouldn't be able to keep the dog away from other animals for 100% of its life, at least not without cramping your own life)i wouldn't though. i don't rescue anymore. i'm tired of other people's problem dogs and dogs with weak nerves. i've just had it with poor breeding and owner triggered mental issues. i don't have time to "fix" dogs anymore.

no who wants a chicken if i wanted a chicken then i would get a chicken

Good training will take care of that. Edit: Dee Dawg...I actually find it much easier to train an adult rescue dog vs training a puppy. I guess to each his own. I've been rescuing dogs for 20 years, and I'm not tired of it in the least.

not if your a first time owner.if you had more expirinece most definitely, but through experience with my own dog i have to say no. chances are the dog has anxiety issues in other areas as well and really needs some experienced hands who not only have time but have a good idea of psychology and training techniques for desensitizing.i live at home with my parents, my dog has major anxiety issues, she fears tubes, any clicking sound, she is terrible with anything new, i can't even bring my school bag into the room without her becoming frightened. she attacks almost any dog she sees if both aren't on leads or previously acquainted and we can not leave her home alone for even the shortest amount of time or she will very literally tear it down. i'm lucky that my dad is good at understanding animal psychology or she would have had of been put down. her problems have lessened since we got her but it still very hard and she requires constant care. even with this experience i would not adopt a trouble dog of my own when i left home, not before getting more experience.as much as i want that dog to go to a good home, i don't think a first time alone owner is suitable for that kind of dog. stick with a puppy for now

Since you are a first time owner, this dog most likely would not be a good fit for you. I would take someone with experience rehabbing dogs for this dog to get over it's issues, if it is even possible. It could be a genetic thing. Also, if it is afraid of other animals it may be afraid of small children. and if you are planning on maybe having children in the next 10 + years. There may be a problem.I would look around some more for an adult dog that has a stable temperament to adopt. There are tons out there. It is not a choice between this damaged dog and a puppy. Puppies have their own challenges.

For a first time owner (depending on experience) this could turn out to be a big ask!First of all i see you have Children , you have to make sure this dog is ok with them in your home environment,it is of the utmost importance ,this could take a long time to find out, because as the dog gain`s more confidence the pecking order may change in the dogs view..and the dog may see your kids as lower ranking in the pecking order!If you do decide to get the dog i would strongly recommend training classes and a halti coller this will give you control out on walks and most importantly give the dog reassurance that you have control of all situations.You have to be prepared for the "long haul" and the unexpected in this situation.As for getting a puppy that can be a like opening a can of worms too, i always think to rescue a dog is a greater generous deed, puppy`s will always get a home, rescue dogs may not, especially one with a problem.But if you think you have the time and the love to give and it`s safe go ahead

While I know you want to help the little fellow, it might not be the best choice. Nervous dogs need confident owners to give them security. Since you haven't owned a dog before, it might be a bit difficult for you to be confident enough in your ability and judgment to project that to the dog. If you are ever unsure, the dog will pick up on it and it will make him even more scared. The simple fact that you are asking the question here indicates to me that you are at least a bit unsure you will be able to provide the dog with the direction it needs to become an adjusted pet member of society.Scared animals can be dangerous and unpredictable. Fear aggression is probably the most common form of aggression.I'd advise you not to go with a nervous dog for your first dog. That said, you don't have to go with a puppy. There are loads of shelter dogs that will help you learn how to be a good pet parent. Then once you have more experience and confidence in your abilities to raise a dog, you might be able to help a scared dog.

You can build his confidence back up It will take time but you will get there.My dog was stuck in a puppy farm for 5 months until we got her She was skinny and petrified of everything. I just had to save her. She would be scared of other dogs, cars, bikes, people. It was a nightmare. But she loved cats :)Now she's little miss gobby she is 2 years old and loves people and dogs. She doesn't bother with cars anymore and she growls and barks at a bike as it passes ! she's trying to tell it off ! Her love of cats has calmed down also :PI'd say give this dog a chance- don't get a puppy that you probably will end up tearing your hair out over hhaa.X

The reason dogs are like this is either because they were born that way in which they need help gaining confidence or that they have had a bad past... which again they need help forgetting. I think you should totally go for it. the poor thing is never going to find a home if everyone thinks its just nervous. I work at a kennels and i personally know that some dogs are very nervous.. and can bite.. beleive me -.-... but one dog i sat with and worked on its confidence with and its now found a home and is perfeectly confident. Seriously just go for it and work with it it will learn to trust you and aslong as you keep socialising it and walking it it should like all dogs get used to the idea.. just give it time xx