[ChrisD]

Hi,

I have a quick question about our pup barking at strangers on occasion.

Our pup is 12 weeks old and seems to be coming along well with socialization to dogs and people, he goes with us everywhere. My wife works at an equestrian facility and he accompanies her to work daily, doing well with all the horses, people, cars, equipment and dogs that come and go.

My question surrounds one incident a couple nights ago. I was walking him and some people came around a corner unexpectedly and he barked twice before I gave him the "quiet" command and he stopped. He didn't really seem scared, just alert and we quickly resumed our walk normally after he stopped barking. I didn't coddle, pet or reassure him. In general, Cyrus thinks people are a great idea, I have strangers give him treats (after a sit!) and he loves attention. I'd like to keep this up.

My question surrounds the method of training him to be quiet while keeping it positive. I have had GSD pups previously and they turned out well, however based on my recent research I feel that I used too much "correction" with them in training while young, so while they always obeyed, it was not as happily as I would like it to be with my current pup. My dogs have always looked to me for appropriate behavior around people, they don't make their own decisions, but I want to acheive this in a positive way. Thanks in advance for your ideas and suggestions.