Socialization help!

[2ManyPuppies]

I have a 7 month old spayed German Shepherd. We need to work on socialization but I'm not sure what else to do. She went through puppy training and is almost finished with intermediate training (one more class!). She is very smart and does great with all animals. She is fearful of strange adults and children who approach her. She is great with our friends and family, including their children. If she just passes people on a walk she is fine. When they apporach her or try to pet her she hides behind my legs and just watches them. If they continue to approach, she barks. She goes to pet-friendly stores with us, we play everyday and we walk everyday. I purposly walk her in places I know will be filled with people. Even with treats, she isn't too secure. She will take the treat from a stranger then she will run back to my side. What else should I do? Has anyone else experienced this? I want her to be friendly and comfortable around others!

 

[lizzybeth727]

Unfortunately, this is very common in GSDs (as well as many other breeds, of course). Have you discussed this with your trainer? Since your trainer has seen her for several weeks in a row, now, she probably has better insight in the problem than we, who have never met her. Are you clicker training?

 

[Maxy24]

For now I would continue just letting people giving treats (or is she's uncomfortable just tossing treats) and not trying to pet her. If she likes to play ball you can go to the park and offer for children who would like to pet her to throw the ball/toy instead so long as you take the ball not the child. Also try and have people always approach from the side not straight on as that can be threatening to them. If you are clicker training you can also ask help from someone you know who is willing to help but has not met the dog before. Ask them to take one step towards her, you give a treat and the person steps back. or the have the person take one step toss the treat herself and step back. That should happen over and over and once she stops reacting poorly to the person (including stepping back, turning head down and away, barking or any other sign of fear/nervousness) ask them to take two steps, then repeat. Slowly increase the number of steps until the dog is comfortable, still not petting though. Later once she is fine through the whole approach have the person kneel then stand and leave. Do that over and over. Then have them kneel and put there hand out barely in front of them hold it there for a second and drop the treat once the dog eats it they should stand up walk away and repeat. She can slowly hold the hand out further to drop it and hopefully one time she holds the hand out the dog will take the treat. I don't know how aggressive the dog may become so I cannot say whether or not you should progress to petting the chest. Never let someone pet the dog on the head or over the head on the back (they may from the side). NEVER try to force her to meet anyone or prevent her from hiding, that is how to get someone bit. ON the same token don't make a big deal when she is afraid, just be normal. Other than that continue socializing and keep things positive, don't make her do things that she is uncomfortable with, have everyone who asks to pet her give or toss her a treat instead and then say thank you and leave. Praise her heavily (and with enthusiasm, treats, toys etc.) for her showing confidence in the presence of strangers.

How long has she been acting like this? It could be temperament due to poor breeding (or possibly just a random outcome) or she could be having a fear stage.

 

[Romy]

What do you do when she hides?

Here is the wrong thing to do:
*start petting and rubbing her* "ooohh, it's all right sweetie. Good girl. It's ok. You're ok. What a good dog."

The right thing to do:
Totally ignore her shy behavior. Have people keep giving her cookies. As she comes out of her shell, praise her. So one day, when she takes a cookie and eats it standing in place without hiding behind you, give her a nice pat one the head and tell her what a good girl she is.

The reason it is wrong to try and comfort her (if that is what you are doing) is that the dog is not getting the message "it's all right, you are safe". By doing those things you are praising her for acting fearful. You want to ignore the fearful behavior, and reinforce the bolder behavior as she starts to change through continued socialization. When you coddle her after something negative happens, you are essentially saying, "good dog! good dog for being scared! I like that behavior!"

Not sure if this is in fact something you do, but thought I would point it out because it seems like every other person does it, thinking they are helping their dog when they are not.

Lastly, 7 months is a very typical age for german shepherds (among other breeds) to go through a "fear period", where they develop seemingly irrational fears for no apparent reason. The most important thing to do is to keep their experiences positive during this time, and don't make a big deal when they do act scared. Just stand tall and confident. Remember, your emotions are broadcast right down the leash to your dog so if you are confident she will pick up on that and feel better too.