Wary of Strangers
Hey all!
So, Ace is 9 and a half months now and is doing great in almost all aspects. His recall on the long line outside is great, we've even had a couple Eureka! moments where he was off-leash in a highly distracting park and he did flawless recalls. His tricks and "gentleman" behaviors are going without a hitch. Overall, he's becoming a great canine citizen.
My only issue that I can't seem to work out of him is his wariness of strangers. It takes him an excruciatingly long time to grow accustomed to other people to the point where he'll voluntarily come up to them with a smile on his face and a tail wag. Now, I know that Cardigans aren't as garrulous as their Pembroke cousins, and that Ace is quite aloof in general, but I would like if he wouldn't shy away or try to hide behind my legs whenever presented with a stranger.
It's difficult to work on this issue as I don't really have access to a place with voluntary strangers to come up to him and wait for me to work my magic. He does go to work with my husband every other day, but it's been around five months now and no one there is a real stranger to him anymore.
So, if any of you have had a wary or shy dog, how did you work past it? I know he'll never get to a Golden Retriever level of open friendliness with strangers. I do want him to be more comfortable around them!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Snickmom on
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I am relieved to hear that many of the things I am doing to help Snickers more comfortable around dogs is what our corgi friends are recommending for Ace. I am starting to overcome my shyness around strangers, too! When you instantly have something in common- a love of dogs, it is much easier to talk to the person in the park who wants to hear about your dog. They ALL seemed to be thrilled to get to give her a treat (think people putting money in a dispenser to get food for the petting zoo). We still have a ways to go, but I can see progress. Another question: what IS the best way to approach a dog you would like to pet? Most people put their hand down, Snickers checks for treats and then turns away. One day a lady just reached over and gave her a good scratch behind the ears. She loved it, and eagerly went to the next person in our path!
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Permalink Reply by Ludi on
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It's so true about having stuff in common! I am often at a loss for what to say in situations where someone just walks up to me and starts talking. But if they're interested in my dog, suddenly I'm quite the Chatty Kathy. What you said about the petting zoo-type mentality is soooo true! I remember going to a deer park in Japan and people weren't hesitating to spend money on crackers to feed otherwise completely oblivious and aloof deer. I don't know what it is about us humans feeling good about ourselves after giving animals treats, but there you go!
Good luck with you and Snickers. :) We can do this!
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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on
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Treats are great. Now I have found that in some instances dogs can get scared if someone is standing and then what may seem to the dog almost like lunging over them so if they can hold out the treat low and let him aproach them may also help.How is your comfort level also? Are you comfortable or feeling a bit stressed yourself? The reason I am asking is that when Livvy started classes and was scared and Wynn was growling at Dobermans and Great Danes that I became nervous also. I had to really think about how I was coming across to my dog. I finally had a "talk" with myself and changed how I was feeling, went in wherever we were going with a "lets go have fun" attitude and I truelly believed this helped. Some may be personality and some lack of early socialization but if you take the lead and make it "fun" it may help! Weird? I know but it worked.
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I'm a bit reserved. But if anyone (and I mean anyone, even homeless folks tripping balls) want to say Hi to Ace, I feel so thrilled and excited to be able to talk about him. I definitely watch myself for any signs of tensing up or hesitation whenever anyone approaches, and nip them in the bud. My excitement and happiness just don't seem to be enough for Ace, though, so the treats route looks like the one I'll take.
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Permalink Reply by Anna Morelli on
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Jane, not weird at all. Dogs are highly intuitive and the more in tune with you they are, the more they respond to your thoughts, attitudes and subtle cues. Most people don't approach situations the way you did. Good for you! We quoted Wayne Dyer here once before, who said " When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change " :-)
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