Scared pup is mean! Blazer is 5 months old now. He's always been around other dogs, cats, and kids. I've taken him out in an environment where he is surrounded by thousands of people and dogs and he was just fine. Now, all of a sudden, he is acting scared of things and people and barking at them. I'm afraid that he is going to bite someone, just yesterday he did snap a a guy. I just had him outside and a dad and his little girl, probably not even 2 yet, walked by. Blazer pulled at his tie out to go see them but then acted really scared and would jump back but kept barking. He wasn't listening to his "No bark" or "Enough" command, so I know that I need to work on that more but how can I make him understand that he is ok and safe and that he didn't need to be scared? Where am I going wrong with him? |
The Critical Fear Periods in Puppies By: Nancy Frensley, CPDT, CAP1 Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society Training Manager The Critical Fear Periods in Puppies: When people visit your home during these periods, put your puppy in another room until visitors are settled in, then bring your puppy out on leash and praise for any show of confidence. Even have visitors toss good treats toward your puppy without approaching him or her Seven to Nine Weeks Four to Six Months Approximately Eight to Nine Months Approximately Twelve Months Approximately Fourteen to Eighteen Months During these periods, puppies may show fear of items, situations or people with whom they formerly felt safe. They may start barking at people entering a house or become fearful and startle at benign items like trash cans, drainpipes or even yard gnomes. They may crouch, shake and try to run away, submissively urinate or tell the scary thing/person to go away by showing an aggressive display (which could include piloerection, snarling, lunging or other unruly behavior. You must be patient during these periods and keep to the familiar. These are not good times to introduce your puppy to new situations or people. Be very careful to avoid doling out punishment or reprimands. It’s vitally important that you understand that your dog is afraid and that you add to the fear when you reprimand or punish. This, in turn, can set the dog up for future aggression problems. During these periods, introduce your puppy slowly to the situation, with good tasting treats, so that he or she does not experience fear. Control situations so that you can prevent a fearful response and show your puppy that you enjoy the situation. Use food treats and happy talk to lure your puppy up to scary objects. Teach the targeting exercise (touch your hand with his nose) and work on getting your puppy to "touch the goblin". |
Not sure if this would work with being scared of people, but ever since Joel was a baby I taught him "check it out," which just mean go touch whatever it is. Things like a vacuum or something that makes a loud noise, or even a person,lol. Now he's barely scared of anything and if it looks like he's about to get scared I say check it out, and I can instantly see his facial expression change from "scared" to "ok, go touch it!" and then lots of praise when he touches it That might work for your little guy:) |
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So far I've been trying to redirect him, telling him to sit and tell him no bark. When it is something in the house that scares him, like the vaccuum, I'll bring him over to it to have him check it out, I'll pet him and praise him to show him that everything is ok. It is mostly when he is outside and another dog or human walks by that he "freaks out." He has been doing well with visitors, but we haven't had anyone new IN the house for a couple of weeks so that may have changed, too. Ugh, I hope not! Thanks for the post kjc- I knew that I'd read that somewhere before and just assumed it was here. I appreciate it! |
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