Shy puppy

[EarthRootsStarSoul]

I need help socializing my puppy. She's a 4 month old American Pit Bull. She is so wonderful, calm, docile, and cuddly. But she's shy of strangers, especially men. She loves children, I have a 6yo and 2yo. And she likes other children even if they are 'strangers'. I always take her with to pick up my son from school, and she sniffs all the children that run past until she finds my son and gets all excited, and she likes getting petted and attention from all the kids.

But she really does not like most adults. She hides behind me from them. Last night was the second time that she GROWLED at a strange man with a deep voice. Ugh, this is not acceptable!

We just started a once-a-week dog training class, and she warmed up to everyone and is friendly and playful towards other dogs. She gets to play with my sister's dog daily, and some of my friends dogs occasionally. I take her for lots of walks in busy places, to the pet store a few times a week, to friends houses, car rides on short errands, pretty much everywhere.

I got pick of the litter and I chose her for her docile, aloof temperament, because I'd rather work with a shy dog than an aggressive dog, what with having children. She isn't mouthy and doesn't jump up on anyone except for me, because she wants me to pick her up. But she still likes licking and cuddling with kids.

What I've been doing is carrying a bag of puppy food with me and having strangers give her food. Sometimes she takes it, sometimes she doesn't. Is there anything else I can do?

[lonegirl]

Originally Posted by EarthRootsStarSoul

I got pick of the litter and I chose her for her docile, aloof temperament, because I'd rather work with a shy dog than an aggressive dog, what with having children. She isn't mouthy and doesn't jump up on anyone except for me, because she wants me to pick her up. But she still likes licking and cuddling with kids.

What I've been doing is carrying a bag of puppy food with me and having strangers give her food. Sometimes she takes it, sometimes she doesn't. Is there anything else I can do?

This is something many do. But I have seen more fear aggression than dominance aggression....especially when I have to do anything with them at work. I have sat outside a cage on the floor for an hour to quietly convince a dog to trust me. It did and I was the only one who could do things with it. The trick is going slow. They are the least predictable dogs.

That being said. It is good you are working with her now at 4m and not waiting. It is important that when you are with her and approach another adult that you don't tense up and worry about how she is going to react. She will pick up on this and will feed off your feelings. http://content.breederoo.com/users/j..._a_Shy_Dog.pdf http://www.puppytrainingtips.org/817
both are good articles on working with a shy pup

I recommend joining a fun puppy class (ask at your vet's for recommendations for good classes...sometimes even the hospitals have tech run classes.)-oops saw that you already joined a class

I love pitties but they are banned outright here in Ontario (and any pitbull like dogs). Most pits are wonderful but they have a very bad reputation...I wish you well on your journey to a well adjusted adult Pit!!

[greenmagick]

There is a great booklet called The Cautious Canine by Patricia McConnell. It is a step by step program to getting a dog over fears. Also, here we have shy dog classses...you may want to look into something similar. Basically you want to keep interactions really positive and calm. Do not force her into situations and do not correct her for growling etc...that can cause her to associate the correction with what she is scared of and make it worse.

Basically you want her to start associating people with wonderful happy things.

And while it doesnt really help now...the majority of aggression comes from fear.