Hi All!, I'm new to this forum, so please excuse this post if it's repetitive.

I imported a 7 week old pup from The Netherlands 5 weeks ago. He is from proven working (KNPV) lines. He warmed right up to my family, including Xena ( personal protection 3.5yr old GSD) I've had two other dogs before him and have never seen anything like this. Two days after setteling in, he started to bark at strangers in the street passing my home. On walks, he barks at passersby. When I approach a stranger, he will not let them pet him. He just backs away. Not cowering, just backs away. He'll take a treat from a stranger, but still will not permit them to touch him. When people come in my house he is kinda standoffish, but warms up and plays w/ them after a miniute or two. But a meter reader came in last week and he appreared to sense that I didn't know this guy, so he barked at him. When I bring him into a store, he's very leary about who he lets pet him. Some he does, most he doesn't. In the house w/ me, he's the most affectionate pup I have ever had. I try to socialize him as much as possible (severeal times a day some days, not at all other days)

Any suggestions/comments would be welcome.

...Stephen Creamer

7 weeks is pretty young - there is a fine line between aloof and shy....does he cower if a stranger is there or just does not care to be petted..??? He **sounds*** more aloof than shy - my male was like this from day 1 - not timid or shy, just doesn't care to be everyone's best buddy..he warms up to people who he sees often but strangers of the non threatening variety are of no interest to him..he doesn't care if they pet him, but he does not solicit attention.

I agree that 7 weeks is a little young to be acting like that. The fact that after you or he feels comfortable with your friends (who are strangers to him) he plays with them too, kinda makes me think that he not shy more discriminating/aloof.

I'd keep socailizing and keep building the bond that you have started, the more confidence he has in you the less he will feel he has to challenge these strange situations and people.

Personally I don't like a lot of strange people handling my puppy any way. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

My Male GSD was like that and still is at 4 years old. While the female dog that I have loves being touched and fondled. Matsummura could care less even when its going on in front of him. He does want me to pat him and groom him, but he still not crazing about other people touching him. He won't move away just give them that look like, "Do you really wanta do that?" Then a strong one bark head lunge (not body) Woof, Like watch it buddy.

Now kids he will just kid wiggle away, unless its my grand kids. Then its play time. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

You don't have to have the friendiest dog in town
do ya? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Stephen,

I question the wisdom of a breeder who takes a pup away from a litter at 7 weeks and plunks him on the plane for an overseas flight. Chances are the pup has not been around humans prior to you getting him. IMO, all you can do right now is to continue gently socializing him, nothing too forceful, and see how it goes. What are your plans with this pup?

This pup is 12 wks, not 7. I think there's a difference between a pup who doesn't care about other people and doesn't solicit attention, and one that actively pulls back to avoid being touched. And the barking tells you he's likely feeling some stress about the stranger. The primary period for socialization is closing soon -I'd make it my mission in life to take that pup EVERYWHERE imaginable and bring his favorite toys and some absolutely irresistable food treats with me. I'd ask every single person I see to give him a treat while acting very passive - no petting, no direct eye contact, standing sideways to the pup. If possible, ask them to squat down while looking/talking to you, and hold the treat so the pup has to come close to get it and then where the pup would have to put his front feet up on their leg to reach it. No petting. Just some body contact and lots and lots of great associations with strangers. If any of them know how to play prey games, let them play with the pup -ensuring the pup always wins. I would continue to ensure he gets tons of exposure to strangers all thru his adolescence too, cuz they can back slide rapidly if you stop socializing.

oops read too fast - didn't catch the "5 weeks ago"

Thanks to all have replied so far. I look forward to anything anyone has to say.

Renee, the pup (Axel) was raised in the home of the breeder (K9Gardefense). He came through the flight unscathed. IMO, it didn't phase him. He was not at all stressed when I arrived at the airport.

My plans are (at this point) undecided. I would like to do some RingSport. Either American Street or Belgium, or ScHh. If anyone here knows of a club in my area (long Island, NY) I would appreciate you filling me in on the details.

We all just came back from a walk and Axel barked, then went over to my neighbor to sniff him. I consider this an improvment. I carry his fave treat (freeze dried liver) w/ me whenever we go out. Xena OTOH, loves everyone and greets them w/ vigor. I'm trying to socialize him the same way I did her. We have a schoolyard down the block. She went every morning and at the close of school to meet and greet the kids and their moms. Unfortunately, schools out for the summer and only a few kids play there. It'll open in a few weeks so I'll take him on the same regiment that I did Xena when she was a pup.

...Stephen

I wouldn't wait a few more weeks; there is a primary window for socialization and you're nearing the end of it now. Also, hordes of kids may not be the ideal experience for a pup who doesn't think just one stranger is a good thing. This pup is not at all the same as your other dog; it has different needs. Get him some really positive one on one experiences and when you start seeing him looking interested and maybe even excited that someone is walking up to you, then he might be ready for lots of kids, but done too soon, it might actually be a BAD experience for him.

hey stephen i would let my buddies play some tug with him and make sure they are backing up when they have ahold of the rag tug whatever and try not to feed into to this sharpness unless you are proud of it.sounds like you have a good sharp little pup start working him with food around the things that shake him up.