I just got my husky 5 days ago, she's 6 months old. The breeder I got her from had sold her to another family but was returned because they didn't have the room. Every time I try to walk up to pet her she pulls her head back like she's affraid. She will come to me when I call her but will back away before I can give her some lovin. However before bedtime when we are hanging out on my bed I can pet her as much as I want without her pulling away. Any advice on how to help her get over this would very much appreciated!

Many dogs are head shy - which is what you describe - I have one that I've had for 5 years who is still head shy ( and I don't hit my dogs! ) If it's fear of new place / new people then she'll get over it when she trusts you.

I'm guessing that when you're on your bed that you aren't reaching down from overhead to pet her ... and when you're taking her for a walk you're above her reaching down --- which is uncomfortable for a lot dogs.

Our Yuki would be like that - doesn't like a hand coming at her from above. She prefers tickling under her chin or a fist offered for licking.

Gillian

Thank you for the replies I'll just have to keep trying different things with her until she can trust me

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Mika is like that with new people. I tell them just to hold their hand out in front of her and let her sniff etc.... but don't try to pet her.

After a few times, she's good.

I've tried just letting her smell my hand first but then when I go to pet her she pulls back. I try to move slowly so I don't scare her.

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Different approach on my part. You just got a dog who had been in someone else's care for 5 months or so, you don't know what happened to her and she's telling you that she doesn't like your (or probably anyone's) hand where she can't see it.

Let's say for sake of argument you have a coworker who taps you on the head every time he goes by. He's not trying to be cruel, he just thinks it's 'cool' way to say "Hi!" How long before you flinch every time you see him coming your way??

Now probably it wouldn't take you long before you come out with "Would you knock that #$%# off!!" You can say that but your dog can't say it so she's telling you in the only way she knows that she's uncomfortable with something over her head.

Try this for me and let me know what happens. The next time she comes up to you, reach UNDER her jaw and see if she'll let you scratch there.

Also, in your first post you said that "got her 5 days ago," it takes any dog time to really be comfortable with a new owner and you're just at the beginning of that learning period. Don't push her, let her set her own pace in getting acclimated. In the long run, it'll be easier than you trying to rush her - and at 5 days feeling 'left out' (which is what I sense from your writing) is rushing it.

And I'm going to push a little and if you feel uncomfortable, say so ... you don't mention your age nor how many others might be in the house and how they interact with her. It helps if we have a little more background when we're trying to 'see the problem' and maybe offer a solution.

Don't let it hurt your feelings that she is timid of you. Ignore her. Give her space and food and work on training. But don't try to pet her. That will come with trust and trust can take months to form. Let her decide when it's time for that. My boy is head shy. He is still head shy and it's been over 2 years. I don't pet him on his head. He has the whole rest of his body to pet. I also tend to not face him when I pet him. I have him at my side and reach down and pet down his back or scratch his butt. The only time I pet his head is if he has settled in beside me and then I scratch around his neck and work up toward his head to scratch between his ears. Sitting down on the ground at their level helps too if you aren't dealing with an aggressive dog. That is some of why you see progress when you are laying in bed. You are on similar levels. Sit on the floor in front of the television at night with her. Get down in the grass in the yard to play. Comfort is attained for a dog in belly rubs, not head scratches.

I will definitely try scratching under her chin when I get home from work today. I am 30 and live with 3 other adults ages ranging from 38 to 70. We also have a male toy poodle. They were scared of each other at first but now are best friends. I have noticed if I'm laying down on the couch or floor she'll come up to me so you guys are probably right about getting down to her level.

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If it turns out to be hands shy and not head shy find something she really really likes and then only give it to her by hand. Simple reconditioning but it wont happen overnight

I tried giving her a scratch under the chin and she backed away before I could. When I use a treat she'll come get it but again will back away. She's runs away when I try to put a leash on her to go for a walk but once it's on shes fine.

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Some dogs and Huskies more than most are 'reserved.' Don't let it bother you too much, she's still learning who she can trust and who she can't. The fact that she backs off after you give her a treat isn't too surprising, she wants to have it where she has it and she's not too sure about you yet.

I think you're trying too hard or maybe expecting too much. Some dogs, like some people, are naturally friendly and some want to be comfortable before they open up. We know that you have to have a leash on her when you take her out but otherwise, as @twisterii said, it might be best to back off, basically ignore her, and let her come to you in her own good time.

Personal comment: from what you're saying, it sounds as if someone in her past has 'corrected' her with the back of their hand - and if that's the case it's going to take time for her to trust again.

I think I'll try that, and see how it goes. I was also thinking she may have been abused. I'm sure she'll warm up when she's ready

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It took about two months before our rescue would lie down on his side and wave his paw at us, indicating that he wanted a belly / chest rub. He loves them! ( He actually then went through a phase where he would wave his paw at us every time we walked by, LOL )

The first week or two...he actually spent a lot of time lying in dark corners and dark hallways, away from the family. He growled at my husband a couple of times.

So, it's still early days with your girl!

It took about a year or more before our dog totally stopped flinching at a swinging leash / arm or at being touched unexpectedly. I don't know if he is just a nervous dog, or had a bad past, but anyway he's our dog now, quirks and all!

That's awesome! You've put my mind at ease, thank you!

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Aye, story time. Once upon a time I had a black lab - Kalah - picked her up at the pound as an adult of unknown years. If I was standing by her and moved my feet, she'd move away; now the bad part was that she always lay on the floor in front of my chair - if I wanted to stand up she had to move; if she saw feet coming at her she'd run and hide.

She'd lay under my girlfriends chair and let her step over her - so we decided that in her earlier life some guy probably kicked her - probably repeatedly. The first couple of years, that was the routine; if I moved my feet, she moved quickly. Eventually she realized that she wasn't going to be kicked so she relaxed and I could get up from my chair and step over her without her freaking out or tripping me.

But when a dog has been abused it takes a lot of time and patience to work with them so they know that this is home and it's safe.

As I said earlier, it sounds to me that the people who didn't have room for her - as a puppy?? - probably corrected her with the back of their hand - and she's scared. Give her the time she needs and she'll (probably) come around ... but if that's the case, it's gonna take a lot of patience ...

A puppy i rescued (that was killed by a car) from the houston spca was terrified of everything when i brought him home. He basically refused to leave the bath tub or under the bed the first 2 weeks i had him. When people came over he would hide. Anyway he was much younger then your pup when i got him. He was also covered with cigarette burns and some asshole had lit his tail on fire. Took a month or so before he even started to come around.

Im certainly not an expert but I got my kiki much younger but she hid under the living room coffee table for four days when I got her so it takes time. I will agree with what people are saying about heads, she will let me do it now but shes not a huge fan of it.

That's so sad about your dog

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Mia has learned how to sit and she now let's me pet her! I took her to some friends houses and she got lots of attention and played with a bunch of dogs. Her whole attitude has changed.

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Great news! That was quick!

Thats awesome. Animals are like that. all the sudden it clicks. They all do it just timeframes of it happening is different animal to animal.