Hi,

I have a 17 month old Shepherd, we started him in protection training when he was about 6 months old, he had a lot of interest in the training, and was doing well. Then a few months ago he started to act shy around certain people, including his trainer. And now he will not participate in the protection training. He just sits there and acts like he doesnt know whats going on?? He does well in obedience and he considered a "bomb proof dog" except around certain people...its weird. I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions on what i can do to bring him out of his shell? How do I build his confidence? Love to hear from you. Thank you.

It totally depends on what sort of "protection training" he has had so far..There are lots of ways to mess up a young dog...
Details?

We had just started him as far as playing with the puppy rag and "Watching" the decoy..he was a late bloomer as the trainer had said... but he got as far as he would take a nice bite from the decoy training with the puppy sleeve and he was enjoying the training and prancing and really showing a lot of interest. Then its almost like he just totally for got all the training he went through? You think it could just be like a phase thing?

He did have a bad experience with the trainer. When he was about 9 months old... the trainer had to hold him down and put him in his place for acting dominant with another dog. The trainer pined him down and he had a FIT!! He is not aggressive with animals or people but now he just will not take bites from the trainer. I just want to build his confidence...

It could be something that went wrong with training or it could just be that he is not made out for personal protection training.

I would just do ob for now and maybe teach him an alert on command and go from there. Lots of happy ob builds confidence as does tug games when done properly.

I see you live in Key West. I lived there in the late 70's early 80's. I was really shocked last time I visited.

Who would of known 20 years would of made such a difference? ROFL

One of these days I will get everything in one post.....LOL What is your trainers take on it?

With the shyness around people I kind of suspect that personal protection training may not be his thing. Which is not all bad, I got a couple of them here! Doesn't mean that they can't do a lot of other things like tracking or ob. Rally is a lot of fun, for dogs and humans both.

Sounds like the trainer "alpha rolled" the pup and took the drive out of him.
I would not continue to work with this trainer "alpha rolling" a pup in that situation is not acceptable.
Get Ed's videos on training a working puppy and the other ones that apply to the type of training you were wanting to do.
Watch them and they will help you find a good trainer that knows what they are doing.
post here looking for a good trainer in your area.
Good luck.

Thank you, Yah I figured that's what did it, because when his helper dose the training "Enzo" has no problem showing interest in the sleeve, but as soon as the trainer tries he is turned off.And the trainer had told me he was no good for the training. I was just concerned. Unfortunately he is the only trainer in Key West, which sucks. Thank you for the advice. I should just continue to socialize him?

Hi Betty,

Well the shyness did not start until the trainer pined him down. And he was doing the protection fine before, well at least the start of protection. And he was doing good, and still to this day he will take a bite from the trainers helper but not the trainer himself... I think he has a thing against the trainer. He is great with most people, but if its the trainer then forget it!! Unfortunately he is the only trainer down here! I just want to know how can I build his confidence??

I would still ask the board members if there is anyone in the are that could help.....I would for sure stay away from the trainer that messed him up.
If the trainer doesn't realize that he is the reason...gahhh, just steer clear of him.
Ask the board in a new thread if there is anyone who could help in your area.....for instance I am a professional trainer....but I'm not advertising or training right now.
But, I would help someone on the board who asked and was in my area.
Like I said, get the pack structure video, and then the raising a working pup, first steps of bite training...all those...the tug and food vids by Michael Ellis....Go on the main site and look about.
I would stay away from this guy, and start training off Ed's vids while looking for a new trainer that knows what they are doing...and knows Ed's techniques....
Socialization isn't the problem...the guy over faced the pup, scared him and taught him not to mess with the trainer...pup decided that he isn't going to tangle it up with the trainer and shut down.
leave it be, work on other stuff and find someone who knows what they are doing.