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Originally Posted by Mary Edith  I can see improvements @matese as the days go on.
I think I am nervous of him a bit as the rescue centre did say he can snap. So I am trying to figure out his triggers, both times strangers have tried to touch him and he snapped, but I want him to be friendly so maybe it's a confidence issue.
I am happy to let him do his own thing and let him comes to me for attention. My husband is impatient and wants to pick him up and cuddle him, and he's not really into it. So I am trying to train them both ! |
You have to relax around him, if you're nervous the dog can sense this and feed off your fear, I know getting your emotions under control is difficult cos no lone wants to get bitten, but you have to show him you have confidence in him. Him being in a shelter, dogs barking, crying, whining, strangers coming and going, this baby was is scared and yes, he would snap out of fear. Once he builds a trust in you and hubby, once he knows he is safe with you and knows no harm will come to him, the snapping "may" stop, if it doesn't you can train that out of him. I wouldn't have strangers around him at this time, he is going through a LOT of adjustments, you and hubby are still strangers to him, let him build his trust with you, when he has 100% confidence in YOU that YOU will protect him, then you can start introducing him to strangers, but limited, say one new person at a time, some dogs don't like ALL ppl, they are just not ppl friendly, It's all about his past, which you will never know about. And yes, let him come to you for attention. Your hubby has to have patience and again can not show his frustration, annoyance , impatience, the dog will sense this and feed off it causing fear in the dog. No picking up, some dogs don't like to be held, have their feet not touch the ground. 3 years and I am still training my rescue he's safe with me when I pick him up and press him against my chest for snuggles and smooches, trusting I am not going to drop him. He has gotten better with that lol, but it's still work in progress. Let your hubby offer him a treat, cheerios are a favorite for a lot of dogs, let the dog jump up on the hubby then give him the treat. Have hubby praise him, stroke him and if the dogs wants down, let him go. Sounds like he is coming around. Do you know how long he was in the shelter.