My dog is scared of strangers, please help?

I was thinking about this Sarah, and how about turning visits from people into a positive experience for him? such as, if they give him a little treat when they visit, but to come in and sit down and chat to you first, totally ignoring him, and then let him go over to them in his own time and be rewarded with a little treat? worth a try? x

Hi Sarah,

This is most strange that he´s like this as you´ve had him from a puppy you say !!!.

Did you well socialise him when he was able to get out and about ????......do you know if anything or anybody has maybe given him reason to be fearful ???.

I think the way to go forward here is to enrol in Dog Training Classes with a reputable group and get him used to working and being around a variety of people including men of course and other dog´s and to try and invite lot´s of people around your home and when they arrive,making it a pleasurable experience for Bobby ie: allow your visitors to pet him and offer him favourite treats and intereact with him such as a game of ball,etc.

If you allow this behaviour to continue,it can lead to all sort´s of problems later on including seperation anxiety..so encourage Bobby to get out and about and see more people and encourage him to mingle with visitors to your home too....hopefully as he´s so young,you will be able to turn this around but you need to be persistent,consistent and patient.

I wish you all the very best now with him....good luck.

Hi Sarah,welcome to petstreet, i suggest you put this post on the Dog Forum,, that way more people will see it.