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Dogs/scared, shy of strangers 3 month old puppy

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Expert: Labman - 11/28/2007


Question
I just got a female chow/golden/shephard mix from the pound. She was only there for 3 days.  She was spayed on Monday  Is housebroken!  Does not whine when confined (I do not crate her but she has her own "sleeping room".  Friendly and affectionate to both me and my husband but dedicated to me already.  
When she sees other people she barks and growls and backs up.  Other dogs she is fine. People with dogs no problem.
What do I do to help her get over this fear of people.  I am afraid that she might have been hurt when she was very young?
Other than this she is responsive, intelligent and energetic.  
My instinct is to let her be and let her warm up to the persons on her own.  But I don't like the growling.  I do want her to bark at strangers when they come to the house so how do I show her the difference.
No other issues at all.  Very very smart dog!


Answer
It may be less of a problem of being abused, and more just a lack of being exposed to strangers.  One of the best things to do is to show how happy you are to see the people.  She will take her clue from you.  If you tense up fearing her reaction, she will sense it and interpret it as the stranger causing the problem.  Having visitors offer her a treat will help too.  

Thank you for adopting her.  We have so many dogs needing a good home.  I hope otherwise things go very well.

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Labman

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I can help you with your new dog. I am experienced in, and trained in techniques the average person can make work with dogs, especially puppies. I strongly believe in obedience training and the need to give your dog proper leadership. I have been raising a new puppy every year since 1991. I know housebreaking and protecting the puppy and the house from each other. I can explain the the feeding regimen you can easily follow to give your dog the same long, active life life as highly valuable dog guides. I try to give answers you can make work. The mark of a real expert is knowing the limits of his knowledge. I will not try to answer questions on breed standards, AKC registration, etc. PLEASE DON'T SEND ME MEDICAL OR BREEDING QUESTIONS. An internet forum is not the appropriate place for them. Even if I could tell what was wrong from a handful of symptoms, you would still need to get the medications from your local vet. Breeding should be left to those not needing to ask simple, basic questions. Books have been written about it. Rather than ask me a question, start reading. Those unwilling to do the work it takes to produce quality puppies should spay/neuter their pets at 6 months. I will not answer questions that sound like a poorly prepared breeder.

Experience

Like many, I grew up around dogs, but never realized how much I had to learn before my family started socializing puppies for a large dog guide school. The school shares their experience from thousands of dogs with the people they entrust to raise their puppies. Their recommendations on training, feeding, and care come from a large, well documented program. After it is a year old, they X-ray every one of the hundreds of dogs they breed every year. I continue to attend monthly training sessions with trained volunteers and professional staff. I share experiences with others doing the same. The school must have sturdy, healthy, well behaved dogs, that will have a long, active life. If that is what you want too, I can help you. In addition I have done extensive reading, and the 4 years my daughter was in 4-H were a real learning experience for Dad too. That exposed me to more breeds than the Labs, Shepherds, and Goldens in the dog guide program.

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