She is a female 6 month old shih-tzu/chihuahua and all of a sudden she has started barking at men she doesnt know. She is fine around my boyfriend ( her dad) and she is fine around my dads (her grandpas). She is fine with other women that she has never met but she goes crazy around men. I have had her since she was 8 weeks old, and she has never been abused or anything. Also if you know how stop her from going crazy around men please tell me. Thanks Stephanie
2007-11-26 07:02:28 · 7 answers · asked by ? 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Sounds like she's hit her spook age. It's not unusual for teen-dogs (6-12 months) to suddenly become suspicious and afraid of new situations and objects, and even situation and objects they are familiar with.
The important thing is not to make a big fuss out of her when she spooks. Ignore her, yawn (calming signal), do whatever you'd normally do. Do not try and protect her/yell at her/comfort her. Let her meet as many dog-friendly unfamiliar men as possible. Have them ignore her antics and as soon as she calms down somewhat praise her and give her a treat (if you work with treats that is).
If you are "merely" dealing with spook age and not an inherited weak temper, then her hysterics should pass, provided you do not handle them wrongly. She's made up of small breeds so she should mature reasonably fast. Hopefully in a couple of months this will all be over. If it continues, then I'd advise you to seek out a professional trainer who can help train her and give you more detailed advice.
2007-11-26 07:27:21 · answer #1 · answered by Voelven 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Men have deeper voices and look a bit more stern (in general) than women. She may feel threatened by that. Some dogs are worse with men with facial hair because the men's expressions are not as easy to read. If she didn't meet a lot of different men when she was less than three months old, she wasn't socialized enough to them.
Make sure that good things happen for her when men are around. Start giving her yummy treats (hot dogs, cheese, etc.) when on walks and men appear. Continue giving treats and being cheerful until the man has passed. If you know any men who are willing to help, they can pass you a number of times on a walk and drop a few treats to her each time. If she isn't really food motivated, use whatever she loves (toys, belly rubs, etc.).
If you are still having problems, get the help of a private trainer.
2007-11-26 07:11:14 · answer #2 · answered by melissa k 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She needs a lot more socializing. Try asking men she doesn't know to toss her a treat. When you're out walking her, have a pocket full of treats and ask any males you come across who are willing to toss a treat to her. Let her pick it up, and the man come a bit closer and give her another treat. She should start to associate men with treats!
Some dogs just don't like men. Her temperament is also partly genetic - what were her parents' temperaments like?
2007-11-26 07:09:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-05-26 00:44:03 · answer #4 · answered by nakita 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are the Mom so it is up to you to let her know that is not OK. When you see a friends approaching her, tell them to ignore her and not make eye contact. And if she barks to stand assertively and challenge her behavior. No eye contact, just stand and even approach her and challenge her.
Make her come to them to get any attention. If you see someone approaching her on a walk, immediately put her into a sit position and wait for them to pass.
Good help:http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/
2007-11-26 07:14:04 · answer #5 · answered by Lyn B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not unusual for dogs to be more afraid of men than women. There are things you can do to help and nows the time to do it!
Visit
www.fearfuldogs.com especially the book link at
www.fearfuldogs.com/books.html
2007-11-26 10:25:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probbably a result from poor breeding.
Anywho, i have a poodle who is scared of certain men.
But he was a stray, so i dont know his past.
2007-11-26 07:07:26 · answer #7 · answered by ♥purple♥haze♥ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋