Afraid to socialize... - Page 1

get involved in obed. classes with a knowledgeable instructor. 

 Had it been my dog, I would have discouraged the guy from patting him on the head, or in fact patting him at all. My dogs are social, and have always been around a lot of people, so if someone pats them they are usually fine with it. However you have a dog which you admit hasn't  been socialized much, except with family members. So you are responsible for what happened to this guy and should have told him not to touch the dog. Unfortunately you are reaping what you have sown - you have an unsocialized dog which doesn't know who is a friend and who is a foe, and is overprotective of you as a result. At this point I would say you need to get with a professional trainer, and essentially go back to square one. If you miss out on laying the foundation when the dog is a very young puppy you are looking at working twice as hard later on, but it can be done. Putting a muzzle on can be counterproductive - some dogs become more aggressive, not less - and imagine the reaction of people passing by who will assume you have a dangerous dog......

At nine months old I would say do not attempt to remedy this by yourself. The dog has bitten once, he could do so again -and the next time it might be a child. But you MUST get the dog out and train appropriate behavior. If you don't you will have an animal which is too untrustworthy to be around anyone other than the immediate family. Socialization is for the life of the dog, at least that's what I believe. I still take mine around to all kinds of different places and situations even though they are adults: just like people they should never stop learning.

Good luck! Hope it all works out for you. Come back and post again, let us know how you are doing.....

You know, we would love to have you out again if you can make the time.

Dozier,
Maybe he didn't like the guy.
I don't know his breeding but maybe its just him showing some bad manners.
Mine has met people she didn't like and was quite foreward about letting them know.  I didn't question her judgement.
Socializing is an on going process, theres always someone new to meet, new situations.   I'd be cautious until I figured out what went on.  The guy or the dog.
I hope you corrected the dog imediately.

My boy was kinda shy or unsocialized when I got him and we went to a schutzhund clud a couples times. They were more then happy to help me socialize him and they already knew what to do and what not to do. That along with family members coached by me has helped him alot.

Thanks Rugers... I sent a pm to someone reg that training maybe a week ago but have not heard back from him. 

Can you pm me with time and location. I would love to make the next session.

Any tips on what I should bring? Food? Ball?    flat collar?  harness?     

Hi Wendy. I sent your a PM.