It's been 2 years since we adopted the rescue known as Smokey and changed his name to Rocky, and he has been the sweetest pup to me and my fiance (husband in 17 days eee!). However, when he comes across another dog in our area, he'll ALWAYS snarl and lunge and bark at them, tail wagging, and unless I squat down and push his butt to the ground, he ignores me completely. He knows the basic commands, sit, stay, come, but when he sees another dog OR just another person walking along, all that training goes out the window, even with treats. This really confuses me. What is he doing? He's never bitten anyone.
Also, anyone who walks near us outside or anyone I'm actually with (like yesterday I went to see some friends) Rocky just starts barking and growling. He will come up and sniff them eventually if they are friends but doesn't relax around anyone. Paul, a friend of mine, has been around Rocky a lot, just not every day. The first few times Rocky was around Paul, he was fine, but this was in a crowded area. Paul even held the leash while I went to the bathroom and such. But if Paul comes over or if it's just me, my fiancee and him, Rocky barks and growls like he hasn't seen him before. Every time.
The only progress made is with our friends who do understand the fact he is a rescue dog, and they deal with the constant barking and growling, and they sit on the couch, and Rocky will then jump up and lick their hand and sit on their lap. But as soon as they stand up, Rocky jumps down and barks and barks again. Why can't this dog relax or get used to people and be friendly? Is there anything I can do to make Rocky a happy people/other dog loving pup? Any help is GREATLY appreciated.
Also, anyone who walks near us outside or anyone I'm actually with (like yesterday I went to see some friends) Rocky just starts barking and growling. He will come up and sniff them eventually if they are friends but doesn't relax around anyone. Paul, a friend of mine, has been around Rocky a lot, just not every day. The first few times Rocky was around Paul, he was fine, but this was in a crowded area. Paul even held the leash while I went to the bathroom and such. But if Paul comes over or if it's just me, my fiancee and him, Rocky barks and growls like he hasn't seen him before. Every time.
The only progress made is with our friends who do understand the fact he is a rescue dog, and they deal with the constant barking and growling, and they sit on the couch, and Rocky will then jump up and lick their hand and sit on their lap. But as soon as they stand up, Rocky jumps down and barks and barks again. Why can't this dog relax or get used to people and be friendly? Is there anything I can do to make Rocky a happy people/other dog loving pup? Any help is GREATLY appreciated.