Big Puppy Problem

[otterdance]

I know we have a lot of experienced dog people and at least one vet here, so I have a question

Comments

[tobyspit]

My logic would be to get him familiar with the unfamiliar.

Bring him to places with strangers often, let him freak out and just ignore him. Talk to some strangers. Once he see's that he isn't going anywhere, and that his behavior isn't getting him attention, he will quiet down. When he does, reward him, and move along.

After enough times of this, he will start to associate stranger with rewards, and then you can phase out the treats and just pet him, and later on you can ever stop doing that.

[paperclippy]

I agree. Another technique is to work on basic obedience with him, then when he gets scared when he sees a stranger, distract him by putting him in a down-stay or something similar, so he is focused on you instead of on the stranger.

[suricattus]

yeah -- Mei-chan is going through puppy training because she Insists on playing with (jumping on) every human she sees (sort of the opposite problem!) and distraction's a big part of it. Also, when she tries to chew on her leash, she is given a rubber bone, instead.

[ravenedgewalker]

bribes - my parents have a totally neurotic and terrified red setter - he's scared of everything, so you're doing better there already. They bribe him with cheese or ham - initially they weren't fussed about strangers giving him the treats, they just stuffed him whenever someone strange came past, and then graduated onto giving said strangers treats to give him. People he's fine with now....they're working on other stuff.

also - consider puppy socializing classes.

[paperclippy]

BTW, 4 1/2 months is not too late for anything! We got my dog when he was 4 1/2 YEARS old and he has learned many new tricks as well as how to behave around other dogs. When we first got him, he'd snarl and growl and lunge any time he saw another dog. Now he just sniffs their butt. ;)

[goddess_help_me]

Respectfully, I slightly disagree with the above response. If he's freaking out that badly, he's over his threshold, he's not going to be able to process any inforation, he'll just shut down

[goddess_help_me]

PS- a really great community here in LJ land for asking dog questions is dogsintraining. They are really very helpful.

[otterdance]

What is it called? I'll check it out.

[pengolodh_sc]

At a guess, dogsintraining

[erastes]

well, watching the old Dog Whisperer - I'd say that letting him doing the timid approach is the wrong way, as by letting him do that slowly, you are giving him permission to be scared, and that be being scared he gets treats, therefore perpetuating the problem.

Cesar seems to recommend just ignoring strangers, walking with the shoulders square and keeping him close to you until he walks next to you, pack-like - and is only concentrating on the walk, not on everything else going on around.

Hard to explain if you haven't seen the work Cesar does, but it's worth trying.

[goddess_help_me]

I would have to say that it is okay for him to be scared. It's a whole new situation for him. It's far better to teach him not to be scared, than to force him into a situation that terrifies him to the point of shutting down.

I have watched Cesar, and I find most of his training techniques are outdated, brutal, and not very useful for the average person. If you want to watch a dog training show, try Victoria Stillwells' "It's me or the dog".

[sioneva]

I'm certainly not disputing you in any way - I'm curious what about Cesar's methods you disagree with? This is pure inquisitiveness on my part, as I know nothing at all about dog training (I've watched "it's me or the dog" as well and Victoria's dominatrix look always cracks me up a bit ;) )

[goddess_help_me]

I have a lot I disagree with, LOL, but I'll just give you my top two or three gripes. :D