How can i help my dog tolerate strangers?

I got my water dog pup at 2 months old. We socialised him alot, took him to puppy classes (He is now in basic obedience). We took him into busy towns atleast twice a week, he is absolutely fine with being around strangers. But he seems to be very cautious when people actually try to interact with him. With women, he warms up pretty quick, give him a treat and a minute or so to approach and he will be licking them and everything. But it seems to be men who he is most cautious with. He will approach, but when they try to pet him (usually on the top of his head, which i tell people not to because he finds it intimidating, but people dont listen nevertheless ), he backs away and sometimes starts to bark. I am not sure whether he is trying to play or something because he will do this little dance thing where he bounds around on his back legs and barks. It is actually quite similar to when he plays with other dogs, but it seems strange that he is so cautious around them. How can i help him tolerate (and possibly enjoy?!) getting attention from strangers??Also, he seems very paranoid about people who come in the house. With women and children (he LOVES children- he is excellent with them, whether they are complete strangers, or very familiar) he may bark when the door is opened a couple of times, but then stop. But if it is men, he will bark, and once he even growled. Sometimes he will bark and growl a bit if he thinks there is somebody at the door. It is hard to practice this because we cant exactly force people to come to our house, and we cant anticipate and prepare (treats, lead ect) for when somebody is coming to the house...I have heard that if they are teritorial, it means they think they are the boss, the pack leader ect. But i do alot of exercises to ensure i am top. I have been enforcing the NILIF training idea, I take him to obedience, i make sure he sits and waits for a minute after walks at the door before invited in. He gets lots of walks and mentally stimulating games and treat balls & kongs. I know his barking and growling is all an act, and he is actually quite fearful of strangers. I do know that his breed (Spanish water dog) is known to be very cautious of strangers, but shyness or aggression are not normal reactions. How can i help aleviate the fearfulness???I know lots of dogs bark at the door, but i do not want this to escalate, and the growling not very reassuring. He is actually getting neutered right now at the vets, will this + training help? I do not mind one bark, but i need him to realise that I DECIDE who is allowed to enter my house

Don,t really know Our dogs have the cops and one of our dogs is a retired k9 dog so what does that tell you..I have heard to put a leash on them and walk them up to people and show them people are nice just got to find nice people them give them a treat you many need to give the people a treat to

Im not sure. Maybe your dog is just nervous or fearful of meeting new people and finds it difficult to control its behaviour. The best thing to do is to talk to people walking by and just show your dog that people mean them no harm, or maybe just let a stranger stroke your dog and show it that they are safe and not harmful to them. Then maybe the dog will respond better to other people.Once the dog has learnt that then I am sure things will be a lot easier for you and your dog. If it doesnt work, there is a channel on tv called National Geographic that shows a programme called the DOG WHISPERER. Its a very good programme and really does help. A PRO dog trainer will show you and help you with your dog, with varieties of topics such as, aggresstion with other dogs, fear of people, aggresssion with people etc. Watch the channel every so often or search it up online and watch the programme on 'fear of people'.

Leave treats by the door and make sure that everyone who enters gives him one. Pretty soon, he will be waiting at the door to greet people! Also, try taking him to the park, just to let him get used to being around strangers. He sounds very fearful and needs confidence. Positive reinforcement will go a long way! Our Great Pyrenees used to be the same way so I took her to a socialization class.