Socialising A Frightened Six Month Old Puppy

[Beetle]

Hi all, I've just joined this forum!

I need some suggestions because I am stuck here. Sorry this is going to be long!

I've had dogs my whole life but never come across such a cocky and dominate pup before.

Quick background. Saved the little fella from being drowned as he was really sick. As he was so sick he couldn't be socialised until now. And he is now almost six months old.

Male, Jack Russell x Shitzu. His mother is very aggressive and has bitten people. He was taken from her at 8 weeks old.

I always thought the mother was aggressive as she wasn't socialised. My parents looked after her for three months and she became a very happy dog and stopped attacking people. So I am hoping it is not bred into him to be aggressive.

I've been walking him almost daily the last two weeks and have seen a slight improvement in him.

His problem is strange dogs and strange humans. The ones he knows (three dogs and several humans) he loves to death but cannot cope with strangers. His little heart goes one hundred miles an hour and I cannot get him to stop barking!

This constant barking at people - he does wag his tail at the same time but I am worried about letting anyone pat him while he is barking in case he nips out of fear. He doesn't show his teeth but he quivers like a leaf.

He also got off the lead one night when I was walking him and he was having a go at a mans heels - very serious stuff - I do not want to deal with an aggresive older dog - obviously would like to nip it in the bud now. He never bit the man but sounded pretty aggressive.

I don't know if he is doing it because he is protective of me or my other dog or because he's just I'll be taking him on some walks without the other dog this weekend to see.

I can't take him to dog obedience classes or puppy school yet as he hasn't been vacinated as we are weaning him off his tablets. And the vet said he cannot be vaccinated while on these tablets.

When walking he has gotten used to walking past women or kids as long as they ignore him - it's just men that he is frightened of and other dogs.

When introducing him to other dogs (these dogs are family dogs and healthy and vaccinated!) Should I have him off lead and the strange dog on a lead so he can approach them in his own time? Or both off leads and let them work it out? Or both on leads. I know these other dogs will not hurt him at all.

Thanks for any suggestions!!!

Looking forward to reading through this forum.

[Flaves]

Hi. Very cute pup.

My first suggestion is to stop walking him until he has had his needles. Very important as he may pick something up and get ill again. I am not sure where you live but Parvo seems to be rife in sydney/nsw at the moment.

Once he has been vaccinated THEN look at his socialisation/training with a qualified trainer.

I have just got a rescue pup, that i may keep and he is a very scared boy. I have a pup that is vaccinated adn well socialised and having him with her will help but once we make the decision whether or not we keep him, then he will be going to obedience with qualified trainers to help overcome his scaredness (if that is a word).

Don't reward his barking, ignore it, becasue by saying its okay etc or even reprimanding him you are rewarding him and he will continue to do it.

All this is my opinion based on what i have read.

Private message Steve (k9 force) or go to his web site k9force.net as he has fantastic training methods that have been proven to work with many members dogs.

Good luck.

[Miranda]

You are risking his life by taking him out if he hasn't been vaccinated at all, unfortunately it would be wiser to keep him confined to your property. Why can't he have a vaccination, what exactly is physically wrong with him?

[Nekhbet]

if he is not vaccinated then no going outside and ESPECIALLY no meeting other dogs. If he is barking at people and other dogs then bringing him closer will not help.

If he is shaking, he is frightened and barking out of fear. If his mother was a biter and a nervous dog then he probably does not come from the most stable stock in the first place. Also if he is ill he would not be feeling the best and so not too keen on stress.

If you want to take him out, he looks small enough to carry. Take him around but dont force him into a position of being close to people he doesnt know. He may relax if he is closer to you too.

Also PM K9Force for some more advice. Which state are you in?

[German Shepherd Lover]

When socialising with other dogs keep them both on a lead so that you can keep them under control. Maybe have your little one on a long lead or extending lead so he can approach in his own time, but you will still be able to pull him away if he gets too narky.

A proffessional dog trainer would be best if you dont want problems later on though, you could probably even get one to come to your place and work with you one-on-one.

Best of luck with your puppy.