Terra,

You are on the right track for socialization. Just taking him places and having him around people is a great start.

I let people pet my SAR dogs (when I allow it) since I pretty much have to since they are finding lost people and I need them to love finding people.
What I did was use it as a seperate training session with people that know how to behave around dogs.

Basically, I would have the dog in a sit or a down and the person would walk up and ask to pet the dog, I would allow it, release the dog from the sit or down and they would then love the dog up and give a couple treats.

I do not let just anyone pet them when we are out training or walking. But, just the training sessions that were structured helped a lot.

And with Ember, no one pets her right now. We are bonding, and since I am going in a different direction with her, we will follow a different set of rules.
(Plus, she attaches to clothing and skin like super glue so she is not allowed to engage with someone who wants to "pet the pretty puppy."

 Quote: terra presotto

I don't want him to be petted, if possible but if someone does touch him I don't want him to be fearful of this either when he grows up. So should some interaction take place?

I only have a pet, but I wanted the same things as you - for him to be confident and comfortable with strangers, and the occasional contact (yes, it does happen, and you don't want your dog upset or aggressive over it) BUT, I don't want him dragging me to every stranger on the street because he thinks he'll get attention, and maybe even food...

I would suggest that you do just what you're doing (it sounds perfect to me, and he's getting the idea that everyone you stop to talk to isn't there for HIS benefit) but I would add the occasional "petting" person randomly too - the key is that YOU give him the word that it's OK to say hello - I actually use the words "go say hi!" (this prevents him from getting worked up over EVERY person and keeps contact limited to those people you approve of - and in the case of my dog, it calms him down a little if I'm verbally welcoming to a stranger, as he is naturally aloof & guarded with most strangers). As Carol suggested, maybe use people you know - a wide range of them - or people you have otherwise consulted about what and what NOT to do when saying hello to your pup. I agree with you though, letting each and every dummy who wants to touch the puppy actually touch the puppy is a bad idea...

In regards to treating, I give a lot of treats mySELF when Oscar is saying hello to people. This keeps him looking to ME for the reward, not the stranger. Don't know if that's backwards, but it works for me. When it comes to kids, I put the treats right in their hand, but only because Oscar has some issues with little ones and I DO want him thinking that all tots are awesome!

Just the other night on a dim sidewalk (and narrow passage between all the snowbanks) a woman I don't even know who had only HEARD about my dog (it's a tight neighborhood where I live) walking towards us in the opposite direction just came straight up to us, bent down and proceeded to REALLY give Oscar a big hello with petting, right on the head. There was no room to really go anywhere, and I could tell Oscar was like "WTF??" - he shot me a look, questioning what he should do (he really doesn't like meeting people this way), but, even though it came somewhat after the "assault" started, I told him to "say hi!", gave lots of praise, and had some treats on me to give in tandem - so he was fine. This is ultimately what I want out of him - he can be stand-offish with the creepy people in the shadows, but when I tell him it's OK, he needs to be comfortable with it (unless his sixth sense kicks in and he wants to tell me I'm actually talking to an axe murderer...) - and better yet, when he doesn't KNOW what to do, he needs to look to me for the correct action.

Hope at least a little of that helped - I think you're off to a great start Terra!

~Natalya

heck, that helped me!

luc is good with strangers - he LOVES people who make a fuss over him. teagan does not like strangers do approach her, particularly head on, and she does not like them touching her. she gets a little malevolent-looking when they do....except for the crying drunk lady, b/c teagan seemed to find her interesting. people who call the dogs 'puppies' or 'poochie' are automatically disallowed from going near my dogs. (blech)

even when i tell people 'just let her sniff you' they inevitably try to touch her, and she becomes visibly annoyed. luckily not many strangers want to pet her, but it's people we see once in a while (my landlady, spike's dad) that this is an issue with. i've been praising her, but i really like the treat (higher value than just my praise, sadly) - and that it comes from me - idea.

(not to hijack, but i'm glad you posted this. teagan isn't aggressive towards people but there are certain situations i feel she needs to be watched more closely in)

Dear Terra: I understand what you are saying. I think you are doing a great job at exposing your pup to many different places where people are. I usually don't let people pet my dogs either. UNless in a situation like I had when I first had Bindi and she was shy of people. I'd allow them to give her a treat, that helped her alot. She is no longer shy.
Your pup sure is cute, what kind is he?
I have a 4-1/2 month old and we are starting to venture out more, he is a jack russel mix and is so hyper I have been trying to train him to calm down a bit. He is continually jumping straight up and down. He is doing much better now and we will be venturing out more.
Sounds like you are doing fine, he seems used to people, not shy and not aggressive. That is good. I am not a professional trainer but that's what I think from what you have shared on your post.
God bless you

 Quote: Sharon Empson

Dear Terra: I understand what you are saying. ... I usually don't let people pet my dogs either. UNless in a situation like I had when I first had Bindi and she was shy of people. I'd allow them to give her a treat, that helped her alot. She is no longer shy.

Sharon has put her finger on why we weren't sure what the O.P. was getting at. Or me, anyway. It totally depends on your dog's personality and your goals. Thank you, Sharon.

 Quote: jennifer mullen

(not to hijack, but i'm glad you posted this. teagan isn't aggressive towards people but there are certain situations i feel she needs to be watched more closely in)

Unfortunately, Oscar went through a phase of being aggressive (loud and domineering - NO biting) to random strangers - only ones who approached us to say hello to him - so we're pretty careful, and work on the whole - "if I say they're OK, you WILL NOT bark and lunge, in addition to just plain saying "NO" to saying hello - a lot! He used to be just fine (we worked very hard on friendly socialization all through his adolescence), but a combo of factors (a big one being me) caused some bad behavior later on - we're mostly over it now. But training goes on for a lifetime!

~Natalya

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

Sharon has put her finger on why we weren't sure what the O.P. was getting at. Or me, anyway. It totally depends on your dog's personality and your goals. Thank you, Sharon.

Ditto!

~Natalya

 Quote: natalya zahn

 Quote: jennifer mullen

(not to hijack, but i'm glad you posted this. teagan isn't aggressive towards people but there are certain situations i feel she needs to be watched more closely in)

Unfortunately, Oscar went through a phase of being aggressive (loud and domineering - NO biting) to random strangers - only ones who approached us to say hello to him - so we're pretty careful, and work on the whole - "if I say they're OK, you WILL NOT bark and lunge, in addition to just plain saying "NO" to saying hello - a lot! He used to be just fine (we worked very hard on friendly socialization all through his adolescence), but a combo of factors (a big one being me) caused some bad behavior later on - we're mostly over it now. But training goes on for a lifetime!

~Natalya

glad training has helped. teagan holds her ground, but will move her head and sort of start to bear her teeth like she's going to snarl or growl. usually the person stops trying to pet her. i'm also there saying 'it's okay' or some sort of friendly-promoting comment. i'd like to get her to the point where i don't have to wonder about her, but i'm okay with her not really associating w/strangers (human or dog) - sometimes i worry i'm too insular, but i've found that approach has worked well with both dogs.

but if i had a dog from puppy, like terra, i think it's a really great opportunity to get positive socialization etc. it sounds to me like brutus is pretty comfortable being out w/terra, which is great (i think)

It sounds like your definately doing the right thing Terra.

Sorry for a little hijack - but it's similar to your issues. We had Teagan since 8 weeks, and she had some socialization. She was generally fine with most people. However, she's hit 18 months, and is now very wary of people, and sometimes 'aggressive' towards other dogs/people when Shalini walks her.

I've suggested that for a while Teagan has a 'No Pet' policy until we get this under control, but Shalini is worried this might make her worse.

Can anyone help with this? Thanks.

 Quote: Jennifer Mullen

teagan holds her ground, but will move her head and sort of start to bear her teeth like she's going to snarl or growl. usually the person stops trying to pet her. i'm also there saying 'it's okay' or some sort of friendly-promoting comment.

Your saying this to the dog? While she is acting like she does not want the person near her? Bearing her teeth?

I hope I misunderstood, since talking to the dog in a soothing manner or telling them it is okay in that state of mind is reinforcing unwanted behavior.