She has never been abused before. I have had her since she was 7 weeks old. The only thing that I can come up with is that she hasn't been around very many men. She really has only been around 2 which one was disabled and in a wheelchair (she loved him) and another guy which she still gets along with now. She barks at any guy that comes in the house and runs from them if they try to approach her. Even if they ignore her she still won't go anywhere near them and continually barks at them and is in my face and on my lap the entire time they are at the house. She loves kids and women she can't get enough of them. She is never aggresive with any of the men just scared and barks the entire time they are here. Overall though she is a great dog (besides her basset traits, the occasional bathroom "accident" when she is mad at me) and just want to help her get over her fear.
2007-02-20 12:48:05 · 9 answers · asked by slruupp11 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Some of these answers scare me. You can't yell at your dog or tell her to ignore men. Dogs don't speak English! It will just make her more afraid.
You're right about the cause: men are unfamiliar. The answer is desensitization. Find out what distance starts to freak out your dog. Don't work from any closer than that distance to start with. Put her on leash and get a helpful man to come just within her comfort zone - then feed her lots of free treats, with lots of praise. GRADUALLY decrease the distance. If she gets scared, you're going too fast. If you run straight to a situation with lots of men in close quarters, you'll set her back. You wouldn't ask someone who's afraid of needles to get a full body tattoo to conquer their fear, would you?
Remember to work gradually, and good luck!
2007-02-20 13:00:23 · answer #1 · answered by corgi_tryst 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My 2 year old Pitty/Rotti cross does the same! She's not scared of my dad or my dads friend but if any other men come in our house she wont stop barking, now little boys she's fine with and same with teenagers, she only dislikes men with deep voices. She couldn't have been abused either because I got her when she was only 2 months old.
2007-02-20 12:55:02 · answer #2 · answered by antonios mama ♥ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's very common in dogs. It sounds like you may be reinforcing her behavior by holding her in your lap. Do not allow that behavior. Don't be mean, but don't encourage it by coddling either. Fear can lead to aggression if it isn't stopped, and you don't want that.
Try having her interact with the men she gets along with more often. Gradually wean her onto other men. Make sure they all are gentle with her, but don't let them coddle her either. If it gets too bad, consider talking to a trainer or behaviorist.
Good luck =]
2007-02-20 12:55:37 · answer #3 · answered by dark_reaction 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Animals are a good judge of character...so listen to her. I had a cat that got up on a former boyfriend years ago and stuck his behind in his face! My cat was right, the guy was a 'butthead'!
She also picks up on the fact that he is a different gender than you and so she identifies with others of your gender. Kids are usually a no-brainer, they pose no threat.
But as I said, watch her reactions that are long term, she could be your best in-home 'jerk warning device'! Just think, you could rent her out to other single women and make a small fortune...lol...I'd be the first to rent her too.
2007-02-20 12:59:47 · answer #4 · answered by MadforMAC 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Have her around men as much as yopu can. Have them offer her treats and only talk in calm voices.
2007-02-20 12:53:55 · answer #5 · answered by allyalexmch 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I simply would not allow this behavior to occur and when she does act this way I would scold her until she stopped and behaved. I have a very similar dog - a real fearful animal and I constantly have to work with him.
Keep a leash and collar on him when you have visitors and scold him by pulling on his choke chain when he starts acting this way. Only when he sits calmly would you completely leave him alone.
Works for my dog...
2007-02-20 12:54:51 · answer #6 · answered by dressage.rider 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
sounds like a perfect dog.....most of us men are con artist of some kind or another why should she trust them....hehe..
really though, dogs pick up on your vibes, and even though you might think you aren't giving off distrust vibes about certain men, she maybe sensing your anxiety about her behavior toward men and confusing this, thus reinforcing any distrust she had already
2007-02-20 12:58:16 · answer #7 · answered by Eric J 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Keep her around men and tell them to ignore her and you do the same.
2007-02-20 12:51:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
well about the dog problume you should put her around more men and boy dogs and it should get her to like men alot better. Well I dont blame her for not liking men beacuse they can be pigs and alot of other things so like I said have her be around more men and boy dogs.
2007-02-20 12:53:41 · answer #9 · answered by scarlet_chelsea1 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋