Day two, nervy with people

[JennieLeigh]

So, I got Fender yesterday, we've been mostly laying low, fresh neuter, fresh adoption and all. But we went for a couple good walks. He issei good, so smart, so mellow, but he barks and growls at strangers. My mom stopped by and he got growly and nervy, but she's gentle and calm and she just was patient with him and eventually he chilled out, quickly I might add. The same with my cousins who we visited on a walk. Bark, growl, back up, then come around.

I know he's new, and needs to get his wits about him, and we are really just feeling one another out. But when I'm walking him through town, he barks and growls and pulls towards people walking or in their yards. I stay as calm as I can and we keep walking and he settles, but I don't want to ignore it. That doesn't help in the long run.

We will be going to obedience classes starting either this week or the next. But in the meantime I can't ask every stranger we meet to give him treats and let him get to know them quick...can I?

[Dutchringgirl]

Sadie does this too, she always has from when she was a puppy. Stay low for a while, he is new to you and just got snipped so he may be mad LOL.

Keep him quiet and with not alot of new stimuli for a bit, let him get acclimated to you, your house, your routine. Walk him in a quiet place, let him see as few new stimuli as possible, he may be getting overwhelmed.

When someone new comes up to you, ask them to ignore him, do not look at him, do not acknowledge him, let him feel out the situation. You stay calm, if he can sit or down , have him sit or down and wait.

When someone approaches me or comes to my house, I put Sadie in a down and make her stay. Step on the leash so they cant jump or leave the position you put them in. YOu can tell them to be quiet and praise them for becoming quiet.

It is good that he does settle, when he settles, praise him.

[Owned-By-Hendrix]

I would honestly just focus on walking him in low stimulus environments. If he's been snipped he's dealing with adjusting the new (or lack of) horomone balance, new home, new owner, new surroundings, he's probably sore and maybe in a bit of pain, and just dealing with a lot. The fact he's backing up concerns me - any show of fear or anxiety and I would stop.

I would work on building his confidence and his bond with you instead of having him meet new people. Let him chill and relax into his new home. These guys thrive with strong bonds with their owners but it also a relationship that needs work and dedication and respect and time. Also keep in mind the breed is highly protective and as a result can be suspicious or aloof with strangers; so during his transition time I would be very careful with his responses to people. You don't want to start a bad habit.

Enjoy each other and take things slow. You've got your new baby and setting him up for success is all you need to do! You guys will get the hang of it! Can't wait to see you and him grow!!!!

[JennieLeigh]

Thank you guys. So, because I live in a small town, it's honestly full of people out walking everywhere, dogs, kids, etc. people in their yards, lots of elderly people gardening etc. so. I'm curious, I don't want to not walk him during this transition period, but no matter where we walk we will meet countless people. So I'm wondering if he would suffer from not being walked for a couple weeks, and just having him and I interacting together in the house and the backyard.

More mental stimulation than physical while he heals and adjusts?

[Owned-By-Hendrix]

You can certainly try it. Fender will let you know if it's enough. When my guy was smaller I could get away with a short walk (like 10 mins) and the rest mental stimulation for a week or two. Not so much now. But I also had a backyard to take advantage of for a more controlled "outside" experience when needed. I can't remember if you mentioned if you were in a house or an apartment.

Another idea if it's possible is driving to a part of town or a park that may be a bit more quiet. I used to live in a super small town so I totally understand about it being busy! Now that I live in a bigger city suburb I'll specifically go and hunt out parks or nature preserves and figure out their different hours of busy so I can take H at certain times to match his mood.

Also, if on a walk there's people far off (like gardening in their yard about 10-15 feet away) and ignoring Fender that would also be considered, in my opinion, a low stimulation environment. Of course Fender has final say on what he considers low stimulant environments. As you learn about each other you'll be able to pick up on what he thinks is too much and what isn't. Some days H thinks everyone staring at him is a low stimulant environment and other days if a dog ignores him on a walk it's too much. I can't blame him; some days I just want to lounge around the house and not be seen then others I want to go to parties every night. Those party days are usually when I run out of alcohol. lol!

[Dutchringgirl]

I dont think a couple of weeks will set him back. I agree on scoping out other quiet areas, so even one or two new stimuli would come up at once, not alot. I used to find quiet areas to walk Sadie while she was learning, or do really short walks to just get her out to look then pack her back up.

How is Fender in the car? you could take him for drives so he can see the world but it is far enough way. That helped Sadie too, she would hear noises, and get scared but it was so quick since we were moving that it didnt last long enough to really bother her.

[JennieLeigh]

He's funny. He's getting spunkier in the house. And he's far smarter than i ever thought possible. If i even make a move towards the front entrance, he is right there, sitting, nosing at the door knob and looking at me expectantly. I feel bad because most of the time i'm only in there because i'm doing my laundry!! Poor guy. Haha. And sometimes when I'm on my tablet facebooking or what have you, he will come over and sit and stare at me with those "I'm smarter than you" eyes, and then he'll sigh really loud. I feel like he's judging me in those moments!!! hahaha.

I'm looking forward until his two week healing period from his neuter is over and we can go out to the farm and play super hard.

I go to our first training class tomorrow without him. So i'm really hoping that the trainer has some tips so that whatever he's feeling right now that's making him bark and growl at people won't settle in as a permanent behavior. I frankly don't care at all if he ever likes strangers, in fact, i'd prefer him to NOT like strangers. But i'd like him to be quiet about it....and not pull at the leash barking and growling and making us look like a hot mess on walks.

But after three days I'm pretty over the moon inlove with this dog. wow.

[Owned-By-Hendrix]

Get ready for the never ending energy. Even at rest if you twitch they're up and ready. I taught my guy how to hold a screwdriver for me. He was very interested in tools... I debated the danger showing him there are things in the world to assist with problems. Next thing I know he'll build a catapult to get over the fence.