Is my new dog going to be a wimp forever?
- Thread starter Zeusophobia
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Thank you, Smkie. I don't think the OP is a terrible person, I think this post DEFINITELY came out the wrong way and I do think they got this puppy for the wrong reasons without doing enough research on the breeds. I hope they read my post and many other chaz threads and raise a wonderful dog. And if they don't, I hope some others might read it and understand why their baby puppy is acting fearful and how to overcome that.
Aww you can't just expect your puppy to protect you right away and be unafraid, You sound tough enough it doesn't seem like you need the dog, He's not even all done growing give him time, unless you think that's fair if you put you out of the street when your 3 months old and we expect you to be unafraid! and protect your owner? i don't think so just give him like 6-9 months......Sorry but it's true
Okay, Milos gave you some stellar advice in her post 
Not only is your pup 3 months old, he was in a shelter, which is a traumatic situation for any dog, but especially a youngster like that.
Your first job is to raise his level of self confidence. You do that mainly in two parts, first by giving him plenty of chances to watch and learn about his world from a safe distance, gradually letting him get more and more involved as he gains confidence. The second part of that is by setting him up to succeed. Work on simple training together and be lavish with the praise and rewards. Help him learn how smart and wonderful he is and that he's never going to have to go back to The Scary Place That Stinks of Fear. Always end a training session with him successfully completing a task and being petted, praised and treated.
Let him learn that you will always have his back. The most effective "guard" dogs aren't dogs who have been trained or taught or just plain old don't like strangers; the best ones are the ones who are part of a team, where you both depend on each other and trust each other no matter what.
Not only is your pup 3 months old, he was in a shelter, which is a traumatic situation for any dog, but especially a youngster like that.
Your first job is to raise his level of self confidence. You do that mainly in two parts, first by giving him plenty of chances to watch and learn about his world from a safe distance, gradually letting him get more and more involved as he gains confidence. The second part of that is by setting him up to succeed. Work on simple training together and be lavish with the praise and rewards. Help him learn how smart and wonderful he is and that he's never going to have to go back to The Scary Place That Stinks of Fear. Always end a training session with him successfully completing a task and being petted, praised and treated.
Let him learn that you will always have his back. The most effective "guard" dogs aren't dogs who have been trained or taught or just plain old don't like strangers; the best ones are the ones who are part of a team, where you both depend on each other and trust each other no matter what.
Hi Zeusophobia.
I have not read through this thread in its entirety so forgive me if this has been said already.
At 3 months your puppy is still very much a baby, considering you got him from a shelter I would also venture a guess that he has not had much socialization so the world to him seems an unfamiliar and scary place.
What I would do is to take him and socialize him like crazy, you want him to meet new people, see new places, and have positive experiences in the world around him.
I also noticed you got him just a few days ago, and I do think you are being a bit harsh. He is a new home, with a new person and I can guarantee he senses your displeasure with him. It's not wrong to suggest that may be making him nervous. A little kindness and compassion will work wonders.
At his age he should not be expected to be ready to defend you, he is the one that should feel safe, secure, and protected.
Work on his confidence. A confident, well socialized dog, raised in a loving and nurturing environment will be protective in ways that "grooming him to defend" never will.
I have not read through this thread in its entirety so forgive me if this has been said already.
At 3 months your puppy is still very much a baby, considering you got him from a shelter I would also venture a guess that he has not had much socialization so the world to him seems an unfamiliar and scary place.
What I would do is to take him and socialize him like crazy, you want him to meet new people, see new places, and have positive experiences in the world around him.
I also noticed you got him just a few days ago, and I do think you are being a bit harsh. He is a new home, with a new person and I can guarantee he senses your displeasure with him. It's not wrong to suggest that may be making him nervous. A little kindness and compassion will work wonders.
At his age he should not be expected to be ready to defend you, he is the one that should feel safe, secure, and protected.
Work on his confidence. A confident, well socialized dog, raised in a loving and nurturing environment will be protective in ways that "grooming him to defend" never will.
Stack the deck for your puppy....set up some encounters that are going to be positive for sure. Get some friends with friendly and forgiving dogs....If you are near Milwaukee Sal would volunteer.
Try some puppy classes where the trainers know how to build confidence. You puppy is just stressed out right now and needs security and support not contempt. If your dog knows you will keep him/her safe and has mostly positive experiences they will come out of their shell.
If your dog "fails" a social encounter and then you express discussed you will make the "problem" worse.
Recap:
Find a good confident, stable and friendly canine role model
Find a confidence building trainer
Set up some positive social events
Give complete/unconditional love and support
Remember to have lots of patience...it pays off later.
Puppies are not easy especially if they haven't had a good start to life.
Try some puppy classes where the trainers know how to build confidence. You puppy is just stressed out right now and needs security and support not contempt. If your dog knows you will keep him/her safe and has mostly positive experiences they will come out of their shell.
If your dog "fails" a social encounter and then you express discussed you will make the "problem" worse.
Recap:
Find a good confident, stable and friendly canine role model
Find a confidence building trainer
Set up some positive social events
Give complete/unconditional love and support
Remember to have lots of patience...it pays off later.
Puppies are not easy especially if they haven't had a good start to life.