Freddie strange really but when I take him out for his little walks he is so confidant
but!!, twice now last night two strangers abit dodgy looking said hello to him and he barked at them ,Then today my husband had him out and a young girl screamed at him and squashed
her self up against a car which startled him and he barked at her.My husband told the little girl
he was a real sweetie not to be frightened of him.I think she ended up stroking him .
Zac never reacted anything like this and with children freddie is great ,Do you think I have a problem starting should I say to freddie if he barks at folks NO Freddie only 13 and half weeks old ?

Pat XX

patricia,

Some people are frightened of dogs. Puppies are often inquisitive and likely to turn sharply towards someone and scare him. I would say what you described sounds fairly normal for a young puppy.

Michael
25 June 2002

Does Freddie understand what 'No' means? If not I can't see anything to be gained, and plenty to be lost by giving him attention for his actions.

Well thanks for that, Yes he responds to No very bright puppie, but I do not want to scold
him and take his confidence away and the little girl did run up to Freddie and then scream at him
he did not go for her. so maybe just watch him awhile. and the two other guy's looked like beggers
I was a little dubious of them .

Thanks Michael and digger

Pat xx

HI Pat

It may be a good idea to make sure he now has some good experiences with kids, such as playing with him near kids and treating him near kids (as long as he isn't barking at them of course!) so that he realises kids are nice to be near, and that nice things happen to him when kids are close by.

It is important to get dogs used to different kids, not just say, those in the family, or the dog won't "generalise" those good experiences.

If he does bark at them, wait til he has finished and then play and reward his good behaviour.

I'm sure he will be OK

Lindsay

Don't think you will blunt his confidence by saying 'No Stop' if he barks at people and you don't want it. If he stops then praise, if not ignore and walk away with him in silence (yours) JH

Hi Lindsey

I have 5 grandchildren all very young and Freddie came from a breeder that had young children
picking him him from a few weeks old, My grandkids feed him play with him tell him off no problem
it's this barking at people when he is out not all the time just certain people strange
last night he done the dame thing to a man so I just said don't be silly and carried on walking
maybe the world is a big place and he is feeling his paw's

Pat xx

HI Pat

Freddie sounds a character, , but i would guess he still needs to get more used to strange kids, because for instance the breeder's kids may have been over-exuberant with the pups,(not saying they were, just using it as an example), and he is used to your grandkids (you did say grandkids didn't you?), but he may not still "generalise" that kids out and about are the same thing at all. I haven't explained this very well but hope you see what i mean!

Also kids can behave very differently, as you will know, depending on their ages. Toddlers, babies, 8 year olds etc are all viewed differently by a dog.

It may be a good idea to take him to good socialisation classes? Not necessarily obedience, but one geared towards helping him develop his "interpersonala skills"!

i have a breed that can tend towards nervousness, coupled with a very strong chase instinct/guard instinct, but the socialisation classes we attended were such a huge big help. Besides, we enjpyed them and it's fun to chat to other dog people, some of whom may have the same problems as you.

Good luck
Lindsay

No - I don't think you are worrying over nothing.
Freddie is growing up and that involves going through several developmental stages - including fearful. He's a confident little chap which is good. He's settled in and become one of the family and I'm a firm believer in start as you mean to go on. From day one of a new addition joining the household begin spelling out the rules and teaching what he is allowed to do and what he is not.
Nipping a potential problem in the bud is a darn site easier than dealing with trying to correct a nuisance problem which has become a habit.
As Michael said he is displaying normal puppy behaviour, but this doesn't necessarily mean that it is acceptable. It's normal for my dog to cock his leg - but he sure as hell aint doing it against my settee!! There's a time and a place!
It's important how you respond to Freddies reactions because it's your guidance now which will shape his future.
If Freddie understands what NO means then use it followed quickly by another command like QUIET if he starts barking at someone. Try to distract him from whatever it is he's worried about. Reward him if he stops barking and transfers his attention to you. You may have to work hard at this! Keep yourself calm. Raising your voice etc.. will make him think what he's doing is right because he will pick up on your agitation. Likewise, petting or cuddling him if you think he has been frightened will also have a negative effect in that he'll again think that he's been doing right. You can even create a nervous dog by doing that.
The screaming child was a difficult one for your hubby as he had a frightened child to deal with and be concerned about as well as Freddie, and it's understandable that he wanted to allay their fears. I'm glad it all worked out.
Good Luck

Thank you lara I think you are right have not had this before in a puppie
and I learned such a big lesson with Zac. I can not walk Zac without a halti lead
he pulls and walks side ways all the time and for my Husband to come round to using the halti
things must be" bad" I am going to take your advise on Freddie!! Zac feared traffic Freddie just looks up quick not afraid but inquisitive.both puppie's are smashing little chap's to own .

Pat xx