How can i help my dog tolerate strangers?
How can i help my dog tolerate strangers? General Dog Discussions
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