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122 Posts
i posted this in the training forum, but figured id do it here too to actually get some responses!
winston is the most friendly dog ive ever known, to people and to other dogs. he LOVES children especially! and when im with him on leash or in an enclosed environment, like a house, he is so wonderful and approachable.
heres the problem.. outside, he is hesitant and shy. example.. i live on an active street. i do not have a fenced property. one morning, my husband left him outside and didnt even tell me he was out. i hear him barking and growling at people walking by. they did not sound too happy.
today, i was playing fetch with him. he is extremely play-driven, so recall is generally easy. but a woman and her son were walking down the street and he went over to them. he stayed on my side of the ditch, and he wasnt growling, but his hackles here raised. the little boy asked if he could pet him, but i told him no. winston has never bitten anyone before, even when he is anxious like that [example, a man he had never met walked up to us, winston had his hackles raised and he was dancing around the guy, but as soon as he got close enough to touch him, he started wagging his tail and licking him]..
i know once he gets close enough to touch the people, he will return to his normal happy self, but its the growling and raised fur that i dislike. it scares people. and i feel bad that he wont listen to me calling him back! i dont have a leash long enough to play fetch with him on.
so.. any tips will be greatly appreciated. ill be here to answer any questions.
winston is the most friendly dog ive ever known, to people and to other dogs. he LOVES children especially! and when im with him on leash or in an enclosed environment, like a house, he is so wonderful and approachable.
heres the problem.. outside, he is hesitant and shy. example.. i live on an active street. i do not have a fenced property. one morning, my husband left him outside and didnt even tell me he was out. i hear him barking and growling at people walking by. they did not sound too happy.
today, i was playing fetch with him. he is extremely play-driven, so recall is generally easy. but a woman and her son were walking down the street and he went over to them. he stayed on my side of the ditch, and he wasnt growling, but his hackles here raised. the little boy asked if he could pet him, but i told him no. winston has never bitten anyone before, even when he is anxious like that [example, a man he had never met walked up to us, winston had his hackles raised and he was dancing around the guy, but as soon as he got close enough to touch him, he started wagging his tail and licking him]..
i know once he gets close enough to touch the people, he will return to his normal happy self, but its the growling and raised fur that i dislike. it scares people. and i feel bad that he wont listen to me calling him back! i dont have a leash long enough to play fetch with him on.
so.. any tips will be greatly appreciated. ill be here to answer any questions.
