Question:

I have a 4ish-year-old rescue mutt who I adopted a little over a year ago. She was rescued as a stray and we know nothing of her history with people (or dogs). She is extremely dog-friendly and gets along with nearly every dog she meets, even those that usually don’t like other dogs. Humans, on the other hand, are a problem. When we first got her she would bark at roughly 70% of the people we passed on the street and was supremely shy with new people. We completed obedience classes and have continued daily obedience exercises. I have also tried to introduce her to as many new people as possible under very happy circumstances (doggy daycare and the dog park have been great for this).

Now she wants to bark at only about 10% of the people we pass on the street, but it still very very shy, even with folks we see nearly every day, whose dogs she is friends with. Once she trusts someone she will adore them, and once in a great while she will trust someone automatically. The vast majority of new people, though, she automatically mistrusts, and they have to work pretty hard to change that. I can’t figure out a pattern of who she’ll be outright afraid of (that 10%), who she will be wary of and who she will like. I feel like we’ve really hit a wall with her training, and I can’t get her over this last hump. Any suggestions for turning her into a full-time friendly, confident dog?

ANSWER:

First congratulations on adopting a four year old with some issues. Sounds like you have done a lot of work with him. If he is only barking at 10% of strangers rather than 70% you are doing really well.

When walking and encountering strangers that you want your dog to be friendly to give the person a treat to give to your dog. First have him sit and then let the person offer the treat. This should work. Note, some dogs are naturally shy of strangers. Its okay if he isn’t affectionate or even friendly to everyone.

I gather, what you are more concerned about is barking at strangers. The barking part when encountering someone new, have your dog sit, continiously treat him while talking to the stranger. This serves a dual purpose. He cannot bark with a full mouth. More important it shows him that meeting new people is a positve thing.

Hope this helps
Nancy

Outside of the dog world, Nancy has both a Bachelor of Social Work and Masters degree in Criminology, which led her to become a correctional social worker. For over 30 years, she has been a practicing social worker, working in Children’s Services and Corrections.

“In 2004, I decided to go to the IPDTA conference just to see what it was about. It was amazing, all these dog trainers talking about using operant conditioning,” exclaims Nancy. “I decided that I wanted to be part of that world. The amazing journey of becoming a positive dog trainer had begun. I am still on this new adventure and learning more every day. I did not realize there was so much information and theory to learn about canine behavior and emotions. My social work background has helped immensely as much of the theory I learned at university about human emotions applies aptly to dogs.”

The Good Dog Blog welcomes Nancy and her background in both dog-training as well canine nutrition. To learn more about Nancy, visit her website, Devoted to Dogs and her Devoted to Dogs Blog.