[JuanRamos]

I think her mom is lying about him being scared of dogs to avoid letting out that she doesn't like pets, or doesn't allow him to have one for whatever reason. I'm not surprised the kid acts that way since he might truly feel more at home when he's visiting neighbors.

I'm sure that he will try to change his attitude if you talk with him, since chances are that he might think higher of you and your husband than he does of his actual parents.