ANSWER: A lack of proper socialization as a puppy is another reason some dogs fear strangers. Dogs that are fearful of strangers may run and hide, bark, nip and even bite at strangers coming into your house. A dog's fear of strangers should be managed very carefully. If they learn to trust and interact with different people, they will be comfortable with humans later on in life. Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Most owners aren't around all day to keep an eye on their dogs. Shyness can be learned from the mother’s behavior, and dog breeders see that boldness runs in certain bloodlines, while timidity and shyness run in others. Like move suddenly, growl, drop something, dance, etc. Because a severe fear of strangers can lead to aggressive behavior, including growling, snapping, and biting, it can be useful to work with a dog trainer or behaviorist to come up with a plan to deal with your dog's fear of strangers. My new german shepherd i got about 2 weeks ago has just turned 6 months old. A dog that has a general fear of all strangers—rather than a specific fear of men or children, for example—may be genetically predisposed to being fearful. If this person backs away, the dog will learn that this behavior is effective at getting what he wants (for the stranger to go away), and a new habit of fear aggression will be formed. Puppies that don't have a chance to meet a wide variety of people are more likely to develop a fear of people they don't know. Some dogs suffer extreme fear of strangers. Or he or she may recommend at-home training with a certified dog trainer (CDPDT). He hates people reaching out, he flinches and bolts. The fear can be of a person, dog, or object. This problem is getting worse and worse this year. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet's health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet. One phrase I hear frequently is “Suddenly, out of the blue, my dog…”[featured-image] This phrase is generally associated with some unwanted or inappropriate behavior the dog has started to display. Have some treats on hand for your visitor to gently toss on the floor close to your dog during the visit. First, if this fear came on unexpectedly, it’s likely a situational thing. If your otherwise docile pet suddenly becomes aggressive, then this could be an indication that he is in pain. Make sure no one goes in this area without checking first; the dog must feel like it won't be interrupted or surprised to feel safe. When you're away, … Because dogs that are afraid of strangers may bite out of fear, it's your job to make sure that everyone stays safe around your dog. Whenever anyone new comes to visit, have the person completely ignore the dog. It is extremely important to remain upbeat and positive during these training sessions, as your dog will feed off of your mood. However, dogs are also often afraid of things that are in no way dangerous to them. In addition, my scottie nipped many hands as strangers would reach out to touch her. A dog may be fearful of strangers simply because he was not well socialized as a puppy. Finding a certified dog trainer to work with you and your fearful pet is helpful at any stage. Some dogs never learn to fully accept strangers, but you may be able to alleviate your dog's fear to some extent. In reality, a dog may be fearful of strangers for a variety of reasons. All dogs bond with their owners. Depending on the severity of your dog's fear, it may quickly warm up to a stranger and allow petting and handling, or it may need several visits to warm up to a new person. Dogs with a history of abuse may also be afraid of strangers. During personal interactions, instruct others on how to behave with your dog. In nature, during this time, puppies are getting out of the den and starting to explore the world around them. Pay attention to your own actions while walking your dog; do you shorten the leash and tense up when a stranger approaches in anticipation of your dog’s behavior? In fact, it might be simpler to list the things she's NOT afraid of. If a dog is pushed too far out of its comfort zone and not allowed to get away, it may resort to biting. Bryce t c: German shepherd has started to become afraid of strangers how do i fix it? Why is my dog suddenly afraid of strangers? Fear is a physiological, emotional, and behavioral response to anything that poses a threat. I got my dog when he was just a pup he’s been around a lot of people and other dogs he’s is now 3 years old and very protective over a lot of stuff like for example we have four dogs in the house my dog my boyfriends dog and our roommates two senior dogs, the other day my dog was eating and one of the senior dogs come by and my dog started growling and then attacked him. Unfortunately for the dog, he will inevitable have to interact with other people throughout his life, like the vet or groomer. Dr. Monica Tarantino is a small animal veterinarian based in the Charlotte, NC area with five years of general practitioner experience. If your dog is scared of strangers, do not be discouraged. This can result in your tensing up or tightening your hold on its leash. Muzzles are never to be used for punishment and nylon or cloth muzzles are not recommended outside a veterinary office because dogs can not pant well through them, which can lead to emergent situations. If your dog is scared of other people, you could have several different problems on your hands. Socialization is a life long process; the learning never ends for your dog! One dog may simply cower in a corner in the presence of a stranger. You never want to put visitors or your dog in a situation where someone may get bitten. Fear in Dogs Fear is the instinctual feeling of apprehension caused by a situation, person or object that presents an external threat—whether it’s real or perceived. This most certainly is the case for some dogs, but not for all dogs. A common reason for fear in dogs is a lack of positive exposure to new people, animals and environments during the critical fear period of the puppy socialization process. One possibility is its genetics. A dog that has a general fear of all strangers—rather than a specific fear of men or children, for example—may be genetically predisposed to being fearful. You can correct your dog for not obeying a command, but do not punish for fearful behavior, as this will only increase anxiety. One possibility is its genetics. Dogs with a history of abuse may also be afraid of strangers. Puppies that don't have a chance to meet a wide variety of people are more … During these stages, puppies may show fear of items, situations, or people with whom they formerly felt safe. Bad Experiences. Many sounds, places and things may trigger worry and anxiety in your pet. Never force your dog to accept handling by a stranger, especially a child. Puppies, like children or other baby animals, will form memories and associations to what they learn at a young age. Do not force your fearful dog to meet people or accept pets if it does not want them as this can sometimes lead to fear biting. All Right Reserved. Depending on your dog's reaction, working with a certified dog behaviorist to help identify cues and management strategies to practice is be very helpful. They cower, tremble, and try to hide from any new person they meet. Butt Kissing On Facebook – Attention Seekers on Facebook. A shy or timid dog is more likely to produce skittish offspring. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This is certainly the case for some dogs, but not all. The visitor should not attempt to pet or make eye contact with the dog. If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. And yet for other situations, a trainer may recommend a modality such as a wire basket muzzle that can help limit biting while still allowing a pet to pant and drink water. Discussing your pet's fear with your veterinarian is important as he or she can help guide you on tactics you can use at home and discuss if medication may be warranted. To our dogs, affection is a reward. Possible reasons why your dog is afraid of strangers are that it is still young, it is naturally submissive, it was mistreated by strangers in the past or that certain strangers approach it in an intimidating way. In reality, a dog may be fearful of strangers for a variety of reasons. Obedience training can be very helpful in managing fearful behavior and relieving some of your dog's stress. To avoid this potentially dangerous habit, you must prevent your dog from becoming scared, and also prevent positive rewards for aggressive behavior. On first meeting, there should be no eye contact or touching; the stranger should act disinterested in your dog. Many people assume that when a dog is fearful or shy, he has suffered some kind of abuse or trauma. While it's not unheard of for dogs to be afraid of strangers, the ideal reaction is one of open friendliness, not hiding or running away. If we are on a walk however and she sees other people she will bark lightly under her breath. It is now hard to take him in public places because I am worried he will lash out at people. Typically the sooner a trainer is involved with a fearful pet, the better. Getting a handle on this behavior is essential, not … Dogs and Destructive Chewing – Correcting the Problem. 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