My 1 Year Old Has A Fear Of Men

[cookierhys]

My 1 year old male Medium x Breed has a fear of men, he's fine with women, other dogs and cats. I'm not sure about children because i've only had him for a few weeks, not sure what he'd be like around boys and male toddlers or children, he wont be around many anyway. I recently posted a topic called 'My 1 year chews everything he can,' and got some helpful tips so here i am posting again lol pathetic huh? but since he's my first dog, i don't want to do anything wrong and want to get as much helpful tips and suggetsions as i can. Since he chews and doesn't like men, he's pretty good with everything else so hopefully this will be the last topic i have to write up!!!

Anyways, I'm renting this place i'm at now, and the woman who owns the place has her dogs here too and mine and hers get along really well so there's no dramas there! This property, i guess you'd call it, has a main house, which i'm in and a little flat out the back where a man lives, he's a nice guy and he loves the dogs, but mine does not like him. He's not vicious or anything like that, he just barks and does circles around the man and wont go near him. Also, the woman who owns the place has a good male friend who comes over and does handy-work on the house from time to time and my boy does the same thing with him too. Most of the time when there's a man here i'll hold my dog by the collar and let the man go up the him slowly and pat him. He will sit there very nervously and try to pull back, that or completely freeze. I'm guessing that in his previous home he might have been abused or harmed by a man, on a regular basis too maybe.

Should i just keep holding him when there are men about and let them pat him so he gradually gets used to them, these are the two man he will be around most so it's important that he gets used to them.

Anyone have any other suggestions that may be helpful? Or similar situations their dogs and them may have been in?

[poodlefan]

Get some professional help.

Holding a dog still by the collar and forcing him to confront what he fears may trigger him into defending himself. There are methods to build confidence that are less confronting than that.

Where did you get your dog from? I would make no assumptions about abuse. His fear could be caused by lack of exposure to men or simply poor nerves around folk with deeper ("discipline") voices and a larger physical presence than he is used to.

[Addicted to Dogs]

For a fear of a particular type of person - such as men -use the approaches identified at http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/socia...ion-with-people and http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/teach...-respect-people and particularly focus on men and boys.

If you prefer listening rather than reading check out http://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/training/106 and http://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/training/163.

There might also be some useful info on fearfulness generally for you at http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/fearfulness and http://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/training/124

You can stop feeding your dog from a bowl and he only gets fed by hand (or initially with food thrown down for him) by men and boys - on the walk (if you can manage it) or that you can get to come around.

Another trick is to throw a treat of high value down just in front of a fearful dog - far enough away from you and close enough to them that they will take it. Then for taking that step towards you throw an even better treat past them so that they step away to get it (make sure that they see it). Then they should turn back and look expectantly - throw another treat past them. They should quickly start looking to coming closer and closer as coming close is no pressure and is rewarded by being reinforced for moving away. sounds complicated - but works. http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/retreat-amp-treat gives the basics but in an extreme example.

Do not force your dog to deal with people - you want the dog to be (and feel) able to move away to a safe distance. And top priority - safety, safety, safety. If the dog feels pressured he will bite - so don't go down that route. Oh and do not punish your dog if he growls - thank him for it and do something about it (check out http://www.dogstardaily.com/blogs/why-growl-good and http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/fearful-growling for more info).

If doing intensive intervention such as suggested here doesn't work quickly (within days), your dog appears to become more nervous or aggressive around men or you don't feel confident doing this then please get professional help ASAP. Men and young boys are amongst the groups with the highest risk of being bitten by dogs - you don't want to go there.

Let us know how you go.

[cookierhys]

Get some professional help.

Holding a dog still by the collar and forcing him to confront what he fears may trigger him into defending himself. There are methods to build confidence that are less confronting than that.

Where did you get your dog from? I would make no assumptions about abuse. His fear could be caused by lack of exposure to men or simply poor nerves around folk with deeper ("discipline") voices and a larger physical presence than he is used to.

Sorry, i shouldnt just assume that, please dont feel offended, that was just the first thing i thought of, should have been more broad in my thoughts. Yes, not enough exposure could also be reason for his fear. Sorry again if i've offended.

BTW, thanks for the tips, i'll talk to my local vet about what she suggests i do with his fear. She knows more than i do, right!

[cookierhys]

For a fear of a particular type of person - such as men -use the approaches identified at http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/socia...ion-with-people and http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/teach...-respect-people and particularly focus on men and boys.

If you prefer listening rather than reading check out http://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/training/106 and http://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/training/163.

There might also be some useful info on fearfulness generally for you at http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/fearfulness and http://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/training/124

You can stop feeding your dog from a bowl and he only gets fed by hand (or initially with food thrown down for him) by men and boys - on the walk (if you can manage it) or that you can get to come around.

Another trick is to throw a treat of high value down just in front of a fearful dog - far enough away from you and close enough to them that they will take it. Then for taking that step towards you throw an even better treat past them so that they step away to get it (make sure that they see it). Then they should turn back and look expectantly - throw another treat past them. They should quickly start looking to coming closer and closer as coming close is no pressure and is rewarded by being reinforced for moving away. sounds complicated - but works. http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/retreat-amp-treat gives the basics but in an extreme example.

Do not force your dog to deal with people - you want the dog to be (and feel) able to move away to a safe distance. And top priority - safety, safety, safety. If the dog feels pressured he will bite - so don't go down that route. Oh and do not punish your dog if he growls - thank him for it and do something about it (check out http://www.dogstardaily.com/blogs/why-growl-good and http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/fearful-growling for more info).

If doing intensive intervention such as suggested here doesn't work quickly (within days), your dog appears to become more nervous or aggressive around men or you don't feel confident doing this then please get professional help ASAP. Men and young boys are amongst the groups with the highest risk of being bitten by dogs - you don't want to go there.

Let us know how you go.

Thank you for all these website, they are very helpful.

Will try some of these techniques tomorrow.

Thanks again, so much for your help!

[Borderpower]

my 9.5 year old Border collie is also scared of men started when he was 6 months old when went to an Obedience school Trainer (a male) lost his temper at Lucky cose Lucky wouldn't stop trying to eat every dog there, so the trainer grabbed Lucky out of my mums had started hanging in the air by his check chain, ever since that day he was fearful of men, he was really hard as Lucky was my show dog and most judges are males.

I got some professional help,All in all I had to get guys to come up to Lucky and try to give him treats, this over year or so did work.

Lucky is not as bad these days but he is still very weary of men.

The trainer was sacked after more complaints were failed agenest him...

I wish you all the luck with your dog, and I agree with others to get some professional help

Ed can't spell lol

Edited April 15, 2010 by Borderpower

[cookierhys]

my 9.5 year old Border collie is also scared of men started when he was 6 months old when went to an Obedience school Trainer (a male) lost his temper at Lucky cose Lucky wouldn't stop trying to eat every dog there, so the trainer grabbed Lucky out of my mums had started hanging in the air by his check chain, ever since that day he was fearful of men, he was really hard as Lucky was my show dog and most judges are males.

I got some professional help,All in all I had to get guys to come up to Lucky and try to give him treats, this over year or so did work.

Lucky is not as bad these days but he is still very weary of men.

The trainer was sacked after more complaints were failed agenest him...

I wish you all the luck with your dog, and I agree with others to get some professional help

Ed can't spell lol

I actually just read about that; getting men to come over and present my boy with treats, i'll give that a try.

Good thing that trainer got the sack, that's just not the right thing for a trainer to do, to someone elses dog, or his own.

I've only just gotten my dog so i am not sure what may have triggered this fear of men, wish i knew tho, might have helped me help him better, but all i can do is show him that men arent bad and can be trusted.

Thanks for the tip, and for your fear story, really helps to read about someone elses troubles and how they fixed them, that way i know they know what they are talking about lol

[Stitch]

Regardless of all the doom and negativity saying that your dog should have been socialised in the first 3 vital months, you can still improve your dogs social skills by taking it to dog training classes.

The not liking men thing can be the result of just being raised by a woman and having little contact with men, as men walk and have different body language to women.

As a breeder I have raised many puppies and can definitely state that temperaments are for the great part hereditary.

I have seen many variations of temperament in just one litter and fears can manifest themselves in many different behaviours.

The best way to introduce a dog to another person is to totally ignore the dog and just approach the person as you would if the dog wasn't there.

By picking up the dog and making it submit to being patted, you are increasing the stress the dog may already be feeling.

By ignoring its behaviours you are sending the message to the dog that there is nothing unusual happening and it doesn't have to feel uptight.

If you take your dog to a good dog obedience club and go regularly you will find that your dog will definitely improve and they can also help you with any problems!

Your motto should be - do not notice the bad behaviours but reward the good behaviours - plus don't pick the dog up all the time!

[poodlefan]

Get some professional help.

Holding a dog still by the collar and forcing him to confront what he fears may trigger him into defending himself. There are methods to build confidence that are less confronting than that.

Where did you get your dog from? I would make no assumptions about abuse. His fear could be caused by lack of exposure to men or simply poor nerves around folk with deeper ("discipline") voices and a larger physical presence than he is used to.

Sorry, i shouldnt just assume that, please dont feel offended, that was just the first thing i thought of, should have been more broad in my thoughts. Yes, not enough exposure could also be reason for his fear. Sorry again if i've offended.

BTW, thanks for the tips, i'll talk to my local vet about what she suggests i do with his fear. She knows more than i do, right!

Absolutely no offence taken. I only raised it because the conclusion a lot of folk make about a nervous or timid rehomed dog is that this the result of abuse. What then drives their actions is pity and feelings of protectiveness. Dogs who lack confidence need confidence building experiences, not that. Folk feeling sorry for their dogs doesn't help the dog with learning to conquer their fear.

Edited April 15, 2010 by poodlefan

[megan_]

BTW, thanks for the tips, i'll talk to my local vet about what she suggests i do with his fear. She knows more than i do, right!

My experience is that vets have experience with medicine, not behaviour. I suggest getting a qualified behaviourist in who can spend some time with you and the dog and see his reactions.

If you let us knwo the area you live in I'm sure someone can suggest a behaviourist who is great.

[cookierhys]

BTW, thanks for the tips, i'll talk to my local vet about what she suggests i do with his fear. She knows more than i do, right!

My experience is that vets have experience with medicine, not behaviour. I suggest getting a qualified behaviourist in who can spend some time with you and the dog and see his reactions.

If you let us knwo the area you live in I'm sure someone can suggest a behaviourist who is great.

I'm in bendigo victoria, i don't think i'd be able to afford a behaviourist though, thats why i thought of a vet because i'm close friends with one and culd probably get 1 consultation for free!!! lol

[poodlefan]

BTW, thanks for the tips, i'll talk to my local vet about what she suggests i do with his fear. She knows more than i do, right!

My experience is that vets have experience with medicine, not behaviour. I suggest getting a qualified behaviourist in who can spend some time with you and the dog and see his reactions.

If you let us knwo the area you live in I'm sure someone can suggest a behaviourist who is great.

I'm in bendigo victoria, i don't think i'd be able to afford a behaviourist though, thats why i thought of a vet because i'm close friends with one and culd probably get 1 consultation for free!!! lol

Had you got your dog from a rescue, I'd be suggesting that's who you talk to. Did you?

[cookierhys]

BTW, thanks for the tips, i'll talk to my local vet about what she suggests i do with his fear. She knows more than i do, right!

My experience is that vets have experience with medicine, not behaviour. I suggest getting a qualified behaviourist in who can spend some time with you and the dog and see his reactions.

If you let us knwo the area you live in I'm sure someone can suggest a behaviourist who is great.

I'm in bendigo victoria, i don't think i'd be able to afford a behaviourist though, thats why i thought of a vet because i'm close friends with one and culd probably get 1 consultation for free!!! lol

Had you got your dog from a rescue, I'd be suggesting that's who you talk to. Did you?

I got him from the pound here so i cant really find out anything about his background.

[cookierhys]

Just tried out my boy with one of the men here. Had the man hold out some traets at waited for my boy to come and eat them, he gradually did but was still quite guarded and scared. Will have to keep doing this for how ever long it takes! At least it worked, for a little while anyway lol

Thaks for all the tips, will keep u all updated!

[newfsie]

I took on a Dog/people aggressive rescue newf. She was really a scared dog fearful of all men and dogs.

I asked for help.....And I had a great dog-trainer/behaviorist help me with her. She nearly tried to eat him at first, but with his help we got over all our issues. I got the help of a lot of male dog trainers. And what they mostly did was ignore her initially in class and we would keep on doing our obedience. Annabelle now loves all the dog trainers and is really good with most people, but certain people still give off a certain aura, which makes her bark. I just put her at heel and she seems fine. But let me tell you it took six month of hard work and lots of training and with the help of a lot of people. I would never trust her like I do the other newfs I have had from pup............I would always seek help from a trainer/behaviorist.

Edited April 16, 2010 by newfsie