scared of certain people

[geoff]

Hi everyone
Theo is now 16 months old as you may know, since he was young he has never liked the inlaws ( a blessing some of you may think)
But it is now getting to the stage where he as shaken so much with fear when they come round that he shi*s himself and turns aggresive towards the father in law, who by the has had gsd's all his life up until about ten years ago.
Whilst we are sat chatting theo is constantly pacing up and down the room tail between legs watching for any movement, He has never ever approached
my father in law who has brought around allsorts of treats chicken etc,

When they have left theo is restlees for an hour or so sniffing the areas where they were sat etc etc. I have tied taking theo round to there home but the reaction from him is just the same,

Now i know what most of you are thinking he has at sometime been mistreated by them, i can assure you he hasen't he will go nowhere near them to be mistreated.

This may be a coincidance but it may be related to hair colour as he seems to bark at people with grey hair when out walking, ( god help me when i'm older) seriously any thoughts would be appreciated .

Thanks Geoff

[wildmoor]

Hi not sure of your dogs background which may help
How old was he when you got him
How was he raised both before/after you got him

For now your father in law needs to completely ignore him no treats no talking no eye contact

[geoff]

hi, he was 8 weeks when we bought him. he was purchased from a breeder and we saw both parents. he was the last of the litter. he has socialised with other people since he was 8 weeks old, just seems to be the inlaws especially father in law, he doesnt like.

thanks, Geoff x

[wildmoor]

Is he English bloodlines?
Did anything at all frighten him between the ages of 8wk - 12wk?

[geoff]

Yes he has english bloodlines, and from what we can remember there was nothing that frieghtened him between the age of 8 and twelve weeks.

thanks geoff

[kita]

How does he react with other people that come in your house?

Does your father in law have anything different about him, for example does he use a walking stick, or wear glasses?

I used to wear glasses when I was younger, I visited a family friend who had a number of Yorkies, they had never met me before. One of them totally spooked and would not approach me - until I took my glasses off. Without the glasses this dog was fine, as soon as I put them back on the dog backed off. All the other dogs were fine with me. I guess he could not see my eyes and he really did not like it.

I would also tell your father in law to totally ignore the dog and if the dog approaches him, then he could offer a treat, but still don't look directly at the dog.

Sue

[Bonniesmummy]

Lol @ grey hair! get your father in law to wear a wig

[wildmoor]

Originally Posted by geoff

Yes he has english bloodlines, and from what we can remember there was nothing that frieghtened him between the age of 8 and twelve weeks.

thanks geoff

It maybe that he has a genetic predisposition to be fearful
Re your father in law do as I said above it will take time