How do I get our dog to like my boyfriend?

Keep a bunch of really good treats in a treat bag or your pocket. I suggest that you first put her on a leash and have your boyfriend keep several paces away. Wait until she is quiet, the moment she is quiet, treat her. Eventually she will look at you expecting a treat instead of the boyfriend, which is right now, an "icky thing" in her mind. Have the boyfriend exhibit these behaviors: yawning, not looking at her and not talking to her. DO NOT CODDLE HER. It will only tell her she should be afraid.
Once she does well at the distance you are, move a little closer. Do this bit by bit, and once she is quiet, give the boyfriend the treats. Again, don't have him look her in the eye and continue yawning. these behaviors are canine behaviors that tell another dog that he/she is of no threat to them. Have him feed her the treats, and only try to pet her if she is in a calm state. Only have him pet her slowly, not placing his hand near her face or her head. Speak gently, and in time, you will be retraining her that he is not threatening. I hope this helps.

My 2 year old beagle was the same way with my husband. He is a very nervous dog and would pee every time my husband would try to pet him. We have had him for almost a year now...we adopted him from an animal shelter... Bo is getting used to him to now. Jason would give him treats and would let Bo come to him and let him pet him. It just takes time and patience to let your dog get used to him and it does take a while. I believe that my dog was abused by a man and that is why he acted like that. I wish the best of luck to you and your boyfriend!

Poor doggy! She sounds like Dolan, a Schipperke/terrier mix I adopted from a rescue organization. He'd clearly been abused by a tall, skinny man because he HATED tall skinny men--and my brother who lived with me at the time is tall and skinny! Also we had to let Dolan out into the yard whenever we were going to sweep or mop because the sight of a stick in the hand terrified him.

I agree with Christina G--have your boyfriend just randomly give treats all the time. Also sit beside your dog as your boyfriend enters the room and feed her treats constantly for thirty seconds, then he walks out. Do this often through the day, constant treats one after another, increasing the time he stays in the room (at the other side of the room, not looking at her). Then do the same thing as he comes one step closer, not looking at her or speaking, with each day. Keep it up until your dog is looking to you for treats every time she sees your boyfriend.

Then he can start tossing treats to her from 4 or 5 feet away. Same drill--come in, stop before he gets to her, toss her treats, stay about a minute, go back out of the room. Gradually, over a period of days, let your boyfriend get closer until he can give her treats from his hand. Only when she's comfortable with this, not fearful when he walks past her, looks at her, talks to her, etc, should he walk her. DON'T have him walk her when she's so terrified of him, it'll only make it worse.

Your poor dog, I'm so glad she's with you now. You've got some real work ahead of you to help her heal from her traumatic puppyhood. I'd definitely advise you to call PetSmart or Petco and ask to talk with their trainers. I know PetSmart does a free 1 hour consultation with a trainer, and I'm pretty sure Petco does, too. If you can afford it, talk with an animal behaviorist. I've done that twice--once for Dolan, who unfortunately never got over his fear of my brother, and once for Simi who had severe separation anxiety and crate fear--and it was money well spent both times.

Good luck to you!

In time she will get used to him. Is it possible that your boyfriend can walk another docile dog that will interact with your Cocker Spaniel?

Your dog will associate your BF with the dog and perhaps some treats. He shouldn't impose himself on the dog or look her directly in the eye which is a challenge. Likewise, he should speak softly around the dog.

The comfort level will change when your dog realizes that your BF is no threat.

Poor baby. I'm glad that you rescued the dog. Her formative years were spent in terrible circumstances. Please have patience and follow houndog990's advice. It is on target!

the first issue you absolutely need to address is the (soon to be severe) separation anxiety. you must take her for a long *exercise* walk, not a lazy read the newspaper walk but a *power walk* each and every a.m. when you leave for work she must be put in a crate- not shut in the room. most dogs freak out when they are closed in a room, but if you baby gate them in or use a crate they are fine (don't know why.)
if she is properly exercised she will sleep all day, not stress. improper elimination and chewing are signs of excessive energy, not retaliation.

when you leave for the day don't make a huge deal about it, don't say good bye or anything similar. you want her to gain confidence in herself when you are gone. (just think about how a toddler would be if you carried on crying and hugging and squeezing them before YOU left for the day- not pretty huh?) same for your return, don't acknowledge her for at least 5 min. you want to come and go without issue. excitement isn't love.

IMO the best thing your boyfriend can do is ignore her. she is obviously too intimidated by the direct confrontation from him (i.e. looking at her, touching her, etc.). i would look up the 'Nothing In Life Is Free' website. i have found in 100% of all the history issue dogs that i've helped, *all* have benefited from this training method.
good luck!
amy