Shy Puppy?

[TheyBeChillin]

I’m here about my Sheltie again So, I know you have to socialize shelties because they are shy dogs. We have taken him in some stores, had him meet all my family members, have had him visit in a nursing home ( visiting family and had to bring him with us ), and have had him taken on walks on some busy trails. When he was young, he was just shy, but now he is starting to growl and lunge at people. We tell him no, and if he is quiet and calm, he gets a treat. While in the nursing home, he hasn’t barked or growled at anyone. If someone asks to pet him, we say yes, and he doesn’t throw a fit or growl or anything- he lets them. But if we are on a walk, then he lunges or growls. Last night, we were visiting family when one of my family members popped around the corner. My Sheltie growled and barked ( I was holding him ) and when my family member went to pet him, my Sheltie put his teeth on his hand as if it were a warning. He has never done this before. But he seems very unpredictable because although he put his mouth on my adult, male family member, he was very calm in the nursing home. He was shy, but he was extremely calm. He even rested his head on one man’s lap. Another man, he let hold his paw, and he didn’t move away or anything. Another day, while I was walking in my neighborhood, a little girl asked to pet him. I said sure. He didn’t mind. She talked to me about dogs for a short while when she talked about how sharp puppy teeth are, and before I had time to stop her, she stuck her finger in his mouth. He did nothing. Didn’t even put any pressure on her finger. I don’t understand what the difference is- he is picky about people, but the growling and lunging is completely new. He is unpredictable, and then he isn’t. It’s mostly on a walk that he has trouble. However, even on a walk if someone says “ hello “ to us he doesn’t bark. If they go right on by, he does. What do I do? Just keep socializing him? Aggressive isn’t the right word to use for him… he’s a really good dog. He is so intuitive and sensitive to those who are sick or old. He is very sensitive to emotions, and although he is a young puppy, he seems to have a very intelligent awareness to him. He isn’t aggressive at all. He’s a great dog. He just barks on a leash. How do I stop that? He’s never put his mouth on anyone before except my family member. I just want to nip that in the bud and also get him to calmly walk on a leash. Thanks!

 

[lomine]

I agree with the others that it sounds like he is insecure and reacts aggressively. Sounds like he's okay with certain people and I think that's a good sign that this is something you can build off of. It seems like you are already on the right path. Just a few things...

This is just a guess, but based on what you wrote it sounds like he may have reached his "breaking point" during the party where he put his teeth on someone. I would try to keep an eye on him during these types of social settings and when he's looking stressed, give him a break away from everyone else in a quiet area. When he's stressed to that point don't let people pet him. Or try giving him something that will distract him and let him self-sooth, like a chew toy/treat.

As others have said, obedience and other training is great for building confidence. I took my dog to a place called Zoom Room for his basic obedience training. He already knew most of the basics, but he was/is extremely dog friendly and would stop listening to me when he saw other dogs. What he really needed was the experience of being in a room with a bunch of other dogs/people and learn that he still needed to listen to me. Why I decided to go to this particular place was because of all the other classes they offer. Obedience training was good for building our communication, but agility training really boosted his confidence. It was fun to watch him grow. Since then, we have done scent training, continue to do agility, Pup-lates, and we are currently back in obedience so we can pass the Canine Good Citizen test.

 

[My15Ducks]

Hi,
I have 3 shelties. They are a wonderful breed, but they aren’t necessarily golden retriever type friendly with other people. I have one Sheltie who I would describe as reactive/insecure with children. But because I’m very cautious he’s never had an incident in the 2.5 years I’ve had him. My friend who I got him from told me he could bark at children and he didn’t like them, so what I’ve done is never let children pet him. If a child asks, I’ll politely say no, or if I have my child friendly sheltie with me, I’ll let the child pet that one instead. If the child runs up without asking I will pick up my dog, move away quickly, or block with my body if no other option. Basically I will do whatever necessary to protect him from children - at the same time I’m protecting the children from getting a negative experience. If there are children nearby, I will keep my dog’s focus on me with treats and praise. He’s very focused and obedient so he really doesn’t care about children unless they rush up to him.

What I’ve noticed is that my dog can now relax and focus on me even when children are a few feet away. He no longer appears anxious. I think he trusts that I will protect him. He might even be ok with children petting him now but I don’t risk it.

So personally, I wouldn’t let random people pet a reactive Sheltie. Let your dog know it’s ok to be around people, but he doesn’t have to interact. Sometimes taking the pressure of interaction away from a reactive dog can help a lot.

 

[My15Ducks]

Thank you I’ll take him out to get him socialized, but instead of letting people pet him, I’ll say no. You’re right- that would take pressure away from him. I’ve had two people be annoyingly persistent wanting to pet him- usually if he appears calm/just taking everything in, I let people pet him. But I’ve had an instance before where he has been barking and someone has asked to pet him, not wanting to take no for an answer she just did. In those situations, I could simply say he’s not friendly and bites. It wouldn’t do any harm, would it, to tell someone that?

Also, since you’ve had shelties, is there any amount of socializing or bringing him in public areas that would make him comfortable around people- not necessarily everyone’s best friend… I wouldn’t want that, but a dog who is comfortable enough for strangers to pet him?

I was thinking about taking him to puppy classes in May after school is out. I’ll have extra time for it then- we’ve already been working on training, but I thought puppy classes would be good too. He can sit, lie down, recall, stay, and right now I’m working on heel. But I figured at the puppy classes if we went he would get used to being around other dogs and people. He actually likes other dogs. It’s just people he is shy around.

How old is your Sheltie?

I know some people say “Don’t pet my dog, he bites” and that works for them. Personally I don’t, because I’m worried people will overreact. I just say “I’m sorry, he’s afraid of children”, or something like that. And move farther away if I have to. It’s awful that some people won’t take no for an answer. So rude.

 

[LaFleche]

I don't let other people pet my dogs unless my dogs show a friendly interest in them and the person asking is respectful.

The same as I will not like nor endure to have physical contact with everyone wanting to touch me, I will not consent to strangers forcing themselves on my dogs.

 

[MrsEarthern]

Your dog might be exhibiting anxiety.
Trails in particular are a stimulation overload, when you consider the new smells, sounds, and sights.
I would suggest sticking to a few trails, and try to take him on those trails when they are less busy, or at least go at a leisurely pace to allow for sniffing, marking, and generally taking it all in. See if that improves his confidence in those situations where the trail is busy and/or you're moving along at a good pace.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

You're right hes not aggressive, he's just reactive. I just got back from taking my Leonberger pup to a dog friendly resort. Unfortunately, because I haven't done this in a few months, I noticed he was shy and nervous again just like he was a year ago and then I thought, grew out of it (he's 1.5.) So he regressed from me not getting out enough but by the time we left after just one night of meeting people in various situations he was already easing up. It's not exactly the same as he's just scared, but not growling or nipping. But I'm still convinced it's about consistency and that your Sheltie will grow out of it. Socializing just takes longer with some than others no matter what breed. They can start out more "insecure," than other dogs and take longer. My son's Golden has been an extraverted love sponge from the beginning but his high energy with ALL people makes me actually appreciate the difference in my much more tentative Leo. Have you taken him to obedience training? Have you tried wearing him out a little bit before the walk? Letting him do a ton of sniffing before he's expected to then do a good walk can also help.

I had a Newfie that despite that breeds sweet demeaner, he was very nervous and insecure. He was a huge challenge and he did growl and lunge. That coming from a massive dog can really freak people out. I worked so hard with him until the day he died at 12. I never fully trusted him but also because of consistency he never did bite anyone or get us into a bad situation. Newfies being weight pullers, I let him be in the lead when he was relaxed and I made him walk behind my Leo when he was tense. I do think that obedience training is a Shelties best bet because unlike Newfies, they are incredibly easy to obedience train. And then you can do a recall and walk around (feels like herding to him,) when he's good and a sit and stay with correction when he tenses up. You got this! Shelties are just wonderful! No question you will resolve this.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

I have a semi reactive golden. He does okay in stores, in our yard and while camping, but walks trigger him.
He has almost been attacked 2 times by other dogs. So he has a reason to be reactive. He barks and pulls toward other dogs when walking in our town. But he wont when out in public. He does perfectly fine playing with other dogs. The town triggers his reactivity, for a reason. I know that reason, so i can work with him in that area.


He also didnt really like men but has come to accept them and is ok.
He sometimes barks to get attention from people. Which most would see as aggressive behavior. But instead he wants to be pet.



Sometimes they just take longer to be ok with whatever it is.
Tucker was ok until the first dog almost attacked him. Dumb owner letting off a 100 some pound Antolian shepherd. Then second dog was a dog Tucker had played with before as a pup. And now he is aggresive towards all other dogs, but they think its ok to let him off leash.

 

[My15Ducks]

Oops, I wasn’t done typing

You asked if your sheltie can become comfortable around people with more socializing. Absolutely! Many shelties love people. Of course I can’t say how your Sheltie in particular will turn out, but don’t give up. I would focus on rewarding your dog for calm behavior whenever new people are around. Start off not to close, and then move closer IF your dog is doing well. I highly recommend the “Control Unleashed” books.

Of my 3 shelties:
Kip, 4 years old. No reactivity, loves children. Will let anyone pet him but he isn’t going to run up to people for attention. He is very focused on me and will ignore people if he is in training mode.

Brie, 4 years old. Very much a one person dog and couldn’t care less about the existence of other people. He will let adults pet him but he doesn’t care about it one way or another and will practically never seek attention from other people. That being said, he isn’t afraid either. Initially he was anxious around children. He is the one I described previously. At this point he will ignore children and is relaxed around them but I don’t get too close.

Story is 2. He is generally very confident but also not very interested in other people. He will let some people pet him but doesn’t really enjoy it. Initially he was nervous around children but he is getting more confident. Like my other dogs, he can focus and relax around any people

 

[TheyBeChillin]

Your dog might be exhibiting anxiety.
Trails in particular are a stimulation overload, when you consider the new smells, sounds, and sights.
I would suggest sticking to a few trails, and try to take him on those trails when they are less busy, or at least go at a leisurely pace to allow for sniffing, marking, and generally taking it all in. See if that improves his confidence in those situations where the trail is busy and/or you're moving along at a good pace.

Thank you!! Yes, he did better on the trail today. It was his second time going on it, and also there were less people.