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4 1/2 month GSD that barks if stranger pets him
#56821 - 09/02/2003 08:56 PM |
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I'm new to the board and have a question about my GSD. He does well when we go for walks. He watches what's going on but not in an aggressive fashion. When people stop to pet him, he smells their hands but if they try to pet him he barks. He doesn't put his ears down or tail down. He just barks and backs up a step. The people that aren't put off by this find that after a few minutes he's playing with them.
We've had him at home for the last 2 1/2 months with just my husband and myself. He's very loving and is already listening very well to a few commands. I did take him out once when he was smaller and there were no problems. He let people pet him and he played with them.
Why would he start barking? Should I carry food and have people give him food before they try to pet him?
Thanks for your help
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Re: 4 1/2 month GSD that barks if stranger pets him
[Re: sue george ]
#56822 - 09/02/2003 11:01 PM |
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HI Sue, does your pup get out to meet people quite often? I would make sure that he is seeing as many different people and places and sights and sounds as possible. In my opinion every day would not be too much. I think the food idea is a good one. The only thing I would say is that the people should let the pup aproach them. Shy dogs seem to be like shy people, they dont like to be the center of attention. During the first year dogs seem to vacillate in their behavior so I wouldn't be surprised if you have a bunch of good days then a back slide ect. There are a lot of pros on this board and they probably have some better advice. Stick around, they are good help.
I went in to pay for gas...
"You don't need to lock the door with that dog in the car", he said, I smiled,...it wasn't the car I was worried about. |
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Re: 4 1/2 month GSD that barks if stranger pets him
[Re: sue george ]
#56823 - 09/03/2003 10:16 AM |
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Hi Matt,
I have a hectic work schedule and don't get out with him as much as I would like too. He has only been out about 5 times since we got him and 4 of those times was with in the last few weeks.
I work at a mall. I can bring him with me at times and sit outside the mall and see what happens.
I noticed when I took him for a walk yesterday that he was walking a few steps towards the people that were approaching us. He just sniffed the air as they walked by. Before he would just stop and wait for them to pass.
I hope I haven't waited too long to socialize him.
Thanks for your thoughts on this.
Sue
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Re: 4 1/2 month GSD that barks if stranger pets him
[Re: sue george ]
#56824 - 09/03/2003 11:27 AM |
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The pup has only been out 5 times??? Yikes !!!!
I am sorry, but if you don't have the time to correctly expose a pup, you have no business owning one.
Just my 0.2cents.
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Re: 4 1/2 month GSD that barks if stranger pets him
[Re: sue george ]
#56825 - 09/03/2003 01:42 PM |
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Sue,
What are your future plans for your pup? Companion, sports, personal protection, police dog,etc.
I have a dog with a similar temperament that is my companion and the protector of my property so I don't really care whether she likes other people or not....she likes me and my huband so that's fine.
Debbie
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Re: 4 1/2 month GSD that barks if stranger pets him
[Re: sue george ]
#56826 - 09/03/2003 03:20 PM |
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Sue, he's barking because he's afraid. It sounds like you kinda missed the boat on his socialization. How much do you know about critical periods in puppy development? I suggest you do some reading up on that. I don't think it's too late to do some intensive socialization with him now, but I think you should start with people tossing treats to him from a short distance rather than petting. Work up to petting slowly, in baby steps.
Lisa & Lucy, CGC, Wilderness Airscent
Western Oregon Search Dogs |
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Re: 4 1/2 month GSD that barks if stranger pets him
[Re: sue george ]
#56827 - 09/03/2003 09:30 PM |
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I do spend a lot of time with my dog on a daily basis. I live near the forest and we walk there daily but of course you don't meet many people there.
I have owned a number of GSD's but usually they stay with my husband and myself as companions and protection so I haven't really gone out and socialized them. I spend more time hiking than I do at public places, so it is not a normal routine for me.
I appreciate your suggestions and will move forward with some intensive socialization.
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Re: 4 1/2 month GSD that barks if stranger pets him
[Re: sue george ]
#56828 - 11/07/2003 06:32 AM |
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Sue,
My GSD was that age when I got her, and was more afraid than your pup. She has never outgrown it but is SO MUCH improved, due to obedience training. She never "shivers and shakes" anymore as she used to in public places. I tried everything to "desensitze" her and she is still (albeit) slowly improving. My dogs are not used to seeing a lot of people every day and it is an effort to make the "social" trips, but they will help in the long run. When I have company over, I put the dog in another room until everyone is in and relaxed (5 min usually) then I let her out and she smells around, then lays down quietly. Unless it is one of my friends who has always come on too strong with her and the dog really has NEVER been comfortable around her!
Your dog sounds like it does not have the depth of problems mine has, so work hard and you can still have a great dog that you will enjoy that much more!!!!!!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
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Re: 4 1/2 month GSD that barks if stranger pets him
[Re: sue george ]
#56829 - 11/07/2003 06:48 AM |
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Originally posted by sue george:
Why would he start barking? Should I carry food and have people give him food before they try to pet him?
Thanks for your help Your dog lacks confidence, and his reactions are his approach to the issue. He doesn't want strangers to get close so he barks, when they back up then he has successfull solved the problem.
The average person doesn't understand how to approach a dog in a non threatening posture. The best thing for your dog is to find a club of dog trainers that would know how to approach the dog correctly. Then build up the dog's confidence in himself, and in the situation of meeting strangers. He has already learned that barking is an effective tool, now you will have a little more to deal with than if he was introduced correctly to meeting people. But it's not a big deal, if you get with the people that can help you.
Humankind is drawn to dogs because they are so like ourselves- bumbling, affectionate, confused, eaily disappointed, eager to be amused, grateful for kindness and the least attention Pam Brown |
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Re: 4 1/2 month GSD that barks if stranger pets him
[Re: sue george ]
#56830 - 11/07/2003 12:57 PM |
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I like Orv's suggestion; get with some people who understand dogs and their behaviors, like at a schutzhuhnd club.
I did the same thing with mine, as his temperment was very simlilar when I first brought him home. He was already 4 months old, and what was done before I brought him home was out of my hands. So I had people kneal down and hold out pieces of hotdog, and let my pup approach them at his own pace. I always let him approach the people, not vice-versa. This way, he's doing all the work, approaching the people all on his own.
Don't forget to do this with kids too.
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