Afraid of people at 7 months.

[Mary Bouchard]

Our puppy recently started barking and backing away from people when they approach is this normal at this age? (7 months)

She was doing so well sociallizing and I told my daughters friends to let her approach them and we socialize ignoring her till she settles down but what a fuss over people she knows!

I tried grabbing her muzzle and telling her be good, stop in a firm voice.

I even left her home and this really upset her that she could not go with me.

But she is really afraid of people suddenly she starts shaking and growling and backing away. I explain to the teenagers she seems to be afraid of you giants let her get used to you but;

Is this a set back? How should I handle her sudden fear.

She has a great time once she gets used to the teenagers but for the initial reaction.

[spidey]

is this normal at this age?

Yep. Pretty much. Fear periods can happen off and on until 14 months or even older (one recent article I read even said that some of the current thinking is that some dogs seem to be in more or less a permanent fear period, with ups and downs, from 6-12 months). I wouldn't be grabbing her muzzle for barking, as this may stress her even more (growling should be corrected) - treat this like she was a tiny baby - ignore the bad behaviour (again, don't ignore growling), praise any small steps of bravery (moving toward the person, etc). Have people come over to your house and feed her treats, go and stand beside the people she's scared of and speak to them in a friendly manner so you're showing her that YOU aren't scared of them and that they're friendly, have people crouch down and let her approach them, that sort of basic socialization stuff. Be positive about it, she's still young, this is normal behaviour (that first year is filled with frustrations and joys, sometimes it feels like one step forward and two steps back - remember that it's all part of them growing up and if you're patient and work WITH them instead of against them, it'll all come out all right in the end).

I sympathise, my puppy's in one of those phases now too, he barks at, and backs away from, strangers, and it's very hard to get strangers to spend the time to get him used to them when he's barking at them like they're invaders from Mars (we've invited some of those invaders from Mars (who are posing as my husband's co-workers) over for a barbecue this weekend to help him get used to them). I've also been going to every UKC dog show I can get to - "dog people" are great and most not only understand fear periods and how to approach a dog, but are willing to help a bit with socializing by taking the time to feed some treats.

Hang in there - PM me if you need some support, it's driving me crazy too! :)

[Carol Burke]

Sorry, but I don't find this normal behavior. Yes, puppies go through fear periods according to the experts, but, IMO these periods should be short lived and not anywhere near as dramatic as what you are describing. I would continue socializing but be aware that this dog may bite because of fear. I would not push her to interact with people she is not comfortable with. Obedience class might help build her confidence.

[Judi W]

Fear period or weak nerves, this is a critical time for imprinting.

What training does. It teaches your dog not only to obey commands, but to trust you and your judgement. A frightened dog needs this more than others so you cannot continue to delay getting this pup into training classes.

A dog backing away and growling and barking is saying “I am very frightened and please go away from me”. To ask strangers to move in to a dog that is in this emotional state is to ask them to risk a bite. Why in the world should they and why would anyone want them to? In training classes you will have an instructor who will coach you and you will be dealing with other dog people who will better be able to judge the dog’s limits. A dog that is backing away is trying very hard not to be pushed into a bite. This dog needs to be brought along carefully and certainly should not be left to its own devices to try to solve the problem. What you are seeing is the dog doing just that – attempting to solve the problem.

The adolescent period is important. It is a time when predator species start to be aware of outsiders. The leaders take charge of what is a danger and what is not. For the domestic dog, that gets caught up in this, it is considered a weakness as the dog is seeing danger where there is none. Work with this dog in its comfort zone slowly decreasing the distance. You must make sure your body language is positive and friendly. Do not leave this dog on its own but be there to reinforce good at the dog’s boundaries and to help it to gain confidence. You cannot do that if you are in another room. Having people into the home is not sufficient for the dog to learn social skills. In fact the dog is reinforced in this by being on its home territory which it thinks must be defended from perceived danger.

Also, contact your breeder for assistance and advice.

[spidey]

Having people into the home is not sufficient for the dog to learn social skills

Does "not sufficient" here mean "it's a bad idea" or just "you need to do more as well"?

[Judi W]

More. The home is a very limited environment unless you intend to raise a dog that never leaves it. Dogs that do not get out and about on a continuing basis have a very difficult time generalizing. What can become comfortable can look entirely different in a new setting for those dogs who have led sheltered lives.

[Mary Bouchard]

These were teens she plays with daily so they were surprised that she acted afraid.

Once everyone ignored her and we were all talking around her she did settle down and once she was comfortable she was fine.

It is an ROTC group could it be the uniforms and hats?

How do we get her comfortable around the uniforms as we live in a by the airforce base?

[spidey]

Thanks Judi, that's what I thought you meant. :)

Mary, I'm sure the others will have suggestions, but what I'd do is just take her out to places where she can see people (in or out of uniform), and stay far enough away that she's still comfortable (i.e. not shaking or barking or tense), and gradually get closer, praising her for every step, and pausing if she tenses up until she relaxes again. Maybe take a book and a bone with you and go and sit in a park far away enough from people that she can see them, but isn't upset by them. The sudden change really does sound like a fear period to me, but as has been mentioned, that doesn't mean you don't have to work through it.

[Mary Bouchard]

We really enjoy taking her with us everywhere and she was doing so good socializing.

And she has the sit, down and stay commands learned much faster than my other two.

I want to comfort her but I also don't want to reinforce bad habits.

I could not believe the sounds that came from this puppy though my male doesn't have that deep a tone it sounded like Cugo in the horror film, I actually had to look down to make sure it was coming from her!

That's when I grabbed her muzzle and said knock it off now!! She stopped and I told her down and she immediately went into the down position at my feet and I said good down and ignored her till she relaxed but what a noise.