The strangest thing just happend on our walk last night.

I was walking both dogs nicely when my GSD (18 mths) spotted a big man with a hood and just froze. I told her to come...nothing.

I had the pinch collar on and gave her a pop...nothing. She just pulled back harder.

She had a good upbringing from what I learned and in our life together has experienced nothing ugly.

What's this all about? And should I have corrected her harder.

She is happy to meet all kinds of ppl otherwise.

Strange but true.

She did it again tonight!! No hood, but big man.
I really corrected her until she squealed, but still really put the brakes on.

We have just started in with schutzhund training. She has met all kinds of ppl there and seems to not mind the horses, goats and other animals (it takes place in a covered barn).

What is going on?? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
BTW, the helper wears a hood and is big, but she seems to really like him.

natural suspician

Really??? It is that simple?

I agree with the natural suspition. Do you have a friend who is a "big guy" who could help you by giving your dog a treat? If the dog keeps getting nothing but corrections whenever he sees a big guy in a hood or not, it will make him even more cautious.

Fair enough....but I thought....what I said rules?

That I am in charge and I will decide who is good and who is evil.

I thought this what being an 'alpha' was all about.

Really folks, this is confusing

Coleen,

Yes, you should be in charge. Just looking at the origional post, I wonder if there is something beyond natural suspicion. With just suspicion I would have expected her to respond to the correction. I wonder if there may be a component of fear involved here.

The dog needs to respond to your commands. The thing I would be indicating to the dog is that it must follow your commands. No matter what she is feeling. If the dog won't move forward move to another command that she will respond to, a Sit or a down. Ignore the person, focus on the dog ang her behavior.

Another thing to do is to stand and talk with someone that is of the size that bothers her. Just ignore the dog beyond making sure she doesn't attack. Just stand there and talk to the person until you see her relax. If she becomes interested in the person let her investigate, but have the person continue to ignore her. As she gets some experience this will correct it's self.

You can "dominate" your dog's actions, but you can't dominate their emotions. She's worried/fearful of this guy and, while you can force her to obey and come with you, you won't have addressed the underlying problem. Better to teach her that her fear is unwarranted. If this happens to be the same guy each time and you see him again, you could be so bold as to ask him if he has a minute to help you out. Approach him obliquely, not head on, or if the dog won't approach him at all, don't force it. Carry food and her favorite toy on your walk and try those as distractions, to take her focus off the man. If she can relax and eat a treat or play, she can't be afraid at the same time. Turn the presence of the man into a signal for play or treats, so it becomes a good thing. If the dog is willing to eventualy approach the guy, don't let him reach down and pet her from a frontal position; that would be too much threat if she's already worried. If he's willing to assist you, he can toss treats on the ground for her or offer from his hand. Eventually, my goal would be to be able to play with her in his presence; then you know she is relaxed about it.

Okay that makes sense.

Appreciated. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />