Pleas Help!

[embgirl]

As you all know, I have a male dog named Giggy. He seems to have a fear of men and has not been properly socialized although he lived with a doctor and his wife and two kids for over a year and lived with the breeder for a couple of years. He will not go to my husband nor my son. He hangs on to his mama's shirt tail (which would be mine). We've had Giggy for 2 months now and we thought he would be used to the guys by now for they speak gently to him and pet him every day. When we got him, he wasn't potty trained but we're working on that and he's doing well. Any advice would be appreciated!

[Maximo]

Try having your husband and son sit on the floor and act casual. Tell them to ignore Giggy, not try to get Giggy's attention. When they sit on the floor, have them hold Giggy's favorite treats and/or toys. If Giggy approaches, your husband and son can make the treats or toys available.

Tell them not to make a big fuss when they do this. Let Giggy do everything on his terms. It will probably help to have you out of the room when they do these exercises.

Patience and calmness are key. This will probably take a lot of repetition.

Also have your husband and son feed Giggy his meals. If Giggy likes walks, have your husband and son take him out on walks.

[Laura]

I have the same problem. It took the guys (husband and two grown boys) a year to get Dexter not to fear them. They were always kind to him, held him most every day. Now 4 year later, he loves and runs to them when they come in, just like the others.

My new dog, Beau, is doing the same thing. It annoys the guys, but they just keep trying. He seems to be adjusting to my husband after 1 month, but is growling at the boys. I just say firmly 'no Beau', my son will sit and hold him for usually a minute or so.

I also tell they guys 'oh, he loves you', and make sure they keep trying. Maybe other men have not been careful not to kick them by accident or something.

Patience is the key.

[embgirl]

Thanks ladies for your help! We have been doing the things you suggested so at least we know we're all on the right track. We've never had this problem before and were afraid he would never come around. Now we have hope.