Lunging and growling at strangers - 4 Month Old puppy! - Page 2

Pedigree Database

Premium classified

This is a placeholder text
Group text

Premium classified

This is a placeholder text
Group text

Premium classified

This is a placeholder text
Group text

Premium classified

This is a placeholder text
Group text

Reliya

by Reliya on 30 July 2016 - 16:07

I'll admit that I didn't read everything and just skimmed since I was busy, so maybe the bum thing wouldn't be a good idea with a skittish dog, but I stand by teaching him to "say hello" to a person. It teaches him to approach people calmly.

When my puppy was scared, I waited until she was calm and let her go investigate whatever it was that scared her so she knew it wasn't a threat to her. I didn't think of it as forcing her into a situation she didn't like. I thought if it as "you're going to have to deal with this all your life, so you might as well learn that it's safe now." She grew more confident as a result.

The same with my second puppy. For some reason, he was afraid to go down/up stairs, so I firmly but gently tugged his leash and made him go up and down the stairs until he was confident, and within a few minutes, he was following me up and down the stairs with ease. I think it also helps to appear neutral in the situation so that the puppy can see that it doesn't bother you, so it shouldn't bother them.

Also, I know I haven't seen the pup, but the original poster asked for advice. I'm sure she knows her puppy well enough to sift through the good and bad opinions to figure out what will work best with him. (Or at least, that's what I do when I ask for advice on this forum.) So that's why I gave suggestions of what I would do in the given situation. My dogs are smart, so whenever they see food, they know to be on their best behavior (like many other dogs, I'm sure,) so that's why I told her to stop giving strangers treats and just keep it hidden until he was quiet, then he'll learn to be quiet around strangers and expect a treat when he is. And it's even better to get it on cue ("say hello"), so that's why I suggested that. I figured that I gave sound advice, even if I hadn't met the puppy. But I guess I was wrong? I'm still a novice compared to everybody else, so I'm sorry. It's just what I'd do if it was my dog (given what I read). :(

by Nans gsd on 30 July 2016 - 17:07

Find a reliable and knowledgeable trainer for the both of you to train with. Maybe someone can recommend someone in your are if you let us know your location is we have a lot of experienced people here as well as clubs you might be able to join to help both of you learn what would work for your pup. Good luck Nan

Hundmutter

by Hundmutter on 30 July 2016 - 18:07

@Reliya, nothing wrong with the advice you gave, just as there's nothing 'wrong' with B.Erbes
advice either. Sorry if you thought I meant that there was ! But having been there, done that with some dogs of less than perfect nerves, I have learned over the years that there is more than one way to approach this sort of problem, that doesn't leave you with different problems at the end of the process. So I just want to warn new owners asking this sort of question that there are dangers in taking Internet advice NOT SPECIALLY AIMED at them and their dogs in person. Doesn't mean that they can't take what suits them from a whole range of advice and comments. Just that "one size does not fit all".


Reliya

by Reliya on 30 July 2016 - 20:07

Oh, okay. I was really trying to figure out what I said wrong. The kick in the bum thing I've tried once before; it didn't really work out too well for me (it did momentarily but then my dog got wise to it), but I've seen it work for others.

by HolesInMyBoots on 30 July 2016 - 22:07

@ Notitsyou -- He's completely fine with strangers off leash, he doesn't really care about them, but if they wanna come up to pet him, he just avoids them, sometimes he'll let them pet him. He mostly avoids men though. He never use to be like this on leash either, ever, he wouldn't care, and walk by them smoothly, and people were always so impressed by his behavior.


by HolesInMyBoots on 30 July 2016 - 22:07

I was wondering if I should lean on my obedience trainer though, she's a certified dog trainer and has all 5 star reviews, the first day meeting we spoke, and she said she's trained dogs I've gotten from the breeder, they're known for being skittish... So, this isn't her first pup from that breeder, she also said she's gonna show me different techniques, than the others in the class, because, he's skittish. And is planning on building up confidence with him.

by HolesInMyBoots on 30 July 2016 - 23:07

I would post his pedigree here, but I'm scared to do that, because the breeder was upset when I asked the same question on different forums. She saw it, and took her anger out on one of her other clients (my co-worker), so.. I'm literally terrified too, I also got harassed by that co-worker for 'destroying' her chances of getting a puppy from that breeder.

The breeder breeds show line dogs, but the puppies she sells are working line, her show line dogs are $2,200 - $2,800 per pup. The WL is $1,800 per pup. Her main sire, has won multiple awards too, the dogs she's sell to casual buyers the WL pups.. Cannot find their mom and dad on here, so I don't think she's registered them, the only ones she's registered are her show line dogs, from generations back.

Edit: Also, like to mention, current puppy has the biggest bond with me, follows me every where, listens to all my commands rather than anyone else in the family, I feed, walk, and train him daily. I do not know if he's being 'protective' over me when I walk him, I do not think it's a 'he has no respect' for you thing, as, if I say a command he instantly listens, while with everyone else he does not, and because he follows me everywhere.. This reaction comes the moment the person comes close to me, so, the moment they are passing me, not in front of me. He will get alert, but will not bark, and pull because he's alert IF the person is in front of me, if they are passing BY me, he lunges, growls and barks, so I quickly turn him around and put him in a sit till the person passes by. He mostly does this with men.

Keep in mind, I am a female. my brother introduced him to his friend the other day, and he wasn't barking or, growling at his friend, or lunging or anything. Which is suprising. Than, I took him to my office, when a bunch of guys walked in, and he started growling at them, and deepening his bark. And than he was finally okay and passed out.

 

Edit two: I also walk him with a loose leash each time, very relax, the only time I pull him in, close to me is.. When we're on the dock trail, walking it, because there is no room so I have to let people by, than once they pass by it's a loose leash again, so I don't ever get tense, or anything like that, I have to 'yank' him, not because I want to, but because I'm so small, and he's already over 40 pounds for 4 months, it's pretty hard, lol, I don't want to go flying either. 

I will try bringing high value treats and getting him to sit, and stare. I know socialization can be anywhere from meeting, to staying at a distance, I use to bring him to stores and sit outside the doors while I wait for my friends to go in and out and pickup stuff, and literally sit there for at least 15 - 30 minutes, letting him watch the doors, as people come in and out and look at him. He was always okay.

 


troublelinx

by troublelinx on 31 July 2016 - 01:07

You are on the correct track of socialization. At some point you have to manage your expectations. If you over socialize you are going to make it worse. Sounds like you are fighting genetics so I would expect more confidence as the dog matures if you continue with the progression. Some training builds confidence OB as you plan on starting and some sports like agility and others. You are starting at the best time. This is a super charged learning period being a puppy.

I like to take puppies into home Depot. for this pup go when it is less busy be sure to put him in the shopping cart with his favorite blanket. The cart builds confidence because the pup is physically elevated and they are in a whom like compartment.

Hundmutter

by Hundmutter on 31 July 2016 - 08:07

I've gleaned from this board that Home Depot are pretty accomodating to people with dogs ... but a store that allows owners to put their (quite large !) puppy inta the shopping cart ??? Wow!

Reliya

by Reliya on 31 July 2016 - 08:07

Is it uncommon to do that in the UK? I put my puppy in the cart until she was too big to fit.





 


Contact information  Disclaimer  Privacy Statement  Copyright Information  Terms of Service  Cookie policy  ↑ Back to top