background: bf's (bestfriend) has an awesome mama dog, who has reliably borne smart, even-tempered and affectionate pups. she bred her one last time and promised me a pup. she kept her promise, but i was not able to bring the pup home, due to circumstances beyond my control, until he was about 14 weeks old.
he spent the extra time with mama, nursing and playing with his sis, that my bf decided to keep also.
they were kept in a large pen (30x40) together, while bf was at work, and let out when she was home, having the run of about 1/2 an acre. my bf is *great* with animals of all kinds, and especially dogs.
the problem:
when i went to pick him up finally, i sat on the grass and played with his mom and sis, but he would not come near me. he finally came up behind me after about 15 minutes, because i had treats. but he would go up to my kids (3 & 1) just fine.
i take him home and our dog (female, never had pups) and him are fast friends. i keep treats to bribe him, i read my copy of "good owners, great dogs" to death, i spend all day outside, with the kids and dogs trailing me all over the property.
he will come up behind me, but as soon as i turn around he runs off. he'll stop after about 10 feet and look at me. but he will hang out with the kids just fine.
i am consistent with my treatment of him, yet he reacts differently almost every time.
eta: he will come when i call him, but i'm not sure if he's following our other dog or actually listening. in any case, he runs off if i try to pet him. i usually don't try to pet him. but if i also just make too much eye contact, he will run off.
he has never shown any signs of aggression, except, at night, if dh goes outside. he will stay at the far end of the yard and growl. it is a normal sounding growl, not a "i'm going to rip your throat out" growl.
dh is concerned about him becoming aggressive toward us or the kids. he wants me to re-home him or take him to the shelter
. he is about 5 months old now. i don't think i can find him a home, and i just can't give him back to bf. i don't want to give up on him!
what can/should i do? tia
he spent the extra time with mama, nursing and playing with his sis, that my bf decided to keep also.
they were kept in a large pen (30x40) together, while bf was at work, and let out when she was home, having the run of about 1/2 an acre. my bf is *great* with animals of all kinds, and especially dogs.
the problem:
when i went to pick him up finally, i sat on the grass and played with his mom and sis, but he would not come near me. he finally came up behind me after about 15 minutes, because i had treats. but he would go up to my kids (3 & 1) just fine.
i take him home and our dog (female, never had pups) and him are fast friends. i keep treats to bribe him, i read my copy of "good owners, great dogs" to death, i spend all day outside, with the kids and dogs trailing me all over the property.
he will come up behind me, but as soon as i turn around he runs off. he'll stop after about 10 feet and look at me. but he will hang out with the kids just fine.
i am consistent with my treatment of him, yet he reacts differently almost every time.
eta: he will come when i call him, but i'm not sure if he's following our other dog or actually listening. in any case, he runs off if i try to pet him. i usually don't try to pet him. but if i also just make too much eye contact, he will run off.
he has never shown any signs of aggression, except, at night, if dh goes outside. he will stay at the far end of the yard and growl. it is a normal sounding growl, not a "i'm going to rip your throat out" growl.
dh is concerned about him becoming aggressive toward us or the kids. he wants me to re-home him or take him to the shelter
. he is about 5 months old now. i don't think i can find him a home, and i just can't give him back to bf. i don't want to give up on him!what can/should i do? tia
