Firstly, thanks for this web site. I have learned so much more from the experts here than the ‘dog trainers’ I have dealt with in person. I wanted to hear any ones opinions on how I could help improve my dogs relaxedness around strangers.

He’s an 11 month old mix (German Wirehaired Pointer & Bernese Mountain Dog) and I got him from a foster home at 3 months. I became aware that he was sometimes nervous around new people soon after getting him, sometimes he was fine, other times he would bark at someone he found ‘unusual’ - either how they looked or they way they approached him. This quickly transformed into a more aggressive approach and on two occasions he spotted someone from a reasonable distance and ran and barked aggressively at them. One of those times jumping up at the person, thankfully not biting. I assumed that would be the next step, and through management (a lead or enclosed/isolated area) I never let it happen. I’m new to dog training and admit this all sent me in to panic. However, several books later, lots of bad advice, lots of good advice (this website included!) I feel I managed to piece together a way forward with the training and overall a much more solid bond. He’s also never put in the position to act these behaviours out, and obedience is becoming much stronger even under distractions like other dogs. Out of interest, he is fine with other dogs and also their owners, though can be dominant with smaller dogs.

I continue to socialise him heavily with food treats or a ball for a stranger to throw and live in a city so his exposure to all sorts of people (even without contact) is pretty high. The problem is, he continues to be nervous about certain people and situations. He will also still alert to people from a distance (down the street or across a park), sometimes even ‘pointing’. I mention the pointing, because of his cross with a german wirehaired pointer and he does this same pointing when he sees a bird or similar ‘prey’ object. When approached by a stranger he will occasionally (just recently) growl slightly and then break into what I see as a very nervous whole body wagging kind of action whilst being petted. If I have guests at home he will press against them and if I ask him to go to bed which he normally does very easily and quickly he will go between the person and me pressing his body against them and looking at me like he doesn’t want to leave us together.

I suppose as I have blundered into this, and feel certain I made a whole load of mistakes earlier on I wanted to hear some opinions on how I might improve his relaxedness around strangers. I recognise the dog is a bit of a nerve bag and that will probably stick, but I feel the bond we’ve now developed through obedience, play and recognising him as a dog have already helped his uncertainty (or at least his response) to new people. Is there a more pro-active way to socialise? Or do I just keep chipping away? I’m just worried that if I don’t get more done soon, he will fix these responses even more solidly. He has a high prey drive, and loves a ball or tug, so this could be part of any socialising.

Any response gladly appreciated.

Note: I didn't know whether this should go under 'fear biters/shy' or here. Perhaps that might explain some of my confusion!