Socializing an older puppy? Need help please!

[Bjfsr1021]

Ok, a little background first. I have a female GSP that i got at 4 months old, she is now 6 months old. She lived with her littermates until I got her. We have been working with her since we got her. She stays indoors when people are home and outside in her kennel when we are not, inside at night. When I take her outside or in the field by myself there are no issues. She seems like a normal dog, runs around, plays with me or whoever bring her out just fine but, when there are more than one person outside, even on the other side of the house she runs to the front door and wants to go inside to hide. When inside, she's very skiddish when anyone approaches her but will eventually come once you get to where she was sitting. If there is more than one person around in the house she hides in her kennel. Everyone is very kind and gentle with her and she gets tons of attention but I though after having her for two months she would be used to all of us and all of the normal noises around her. Just not sure what to do to get her to socialize more? Is this normal?

[shags]

Does she get the tons of attention when she's acting shy and skittish? Or when she interacts with someone of her own accord?

Never praise or comfort a dog when it's doing something you don't want it to do.

[Bjfsr1021]

She doesn't get the attention or praise until she comes back to us. She will walk away when we approach her then come back slowly to us. At that point we pet her and play with her. Should we just turn around and ignore her for a while if she does this?

[EvanG]

Just not sure what to do to get her to socialize more? Is this normal?

What is "normal" is normal for each individual dog. And 'yes', it happens that some dogs behave this way. If you have friends and/or family who will follow directions the solution is usually fairly easy.

Start simple, and add complexity gradually. That is a steady theme in modern sequential training. It makes sense of things to dogs, even when an act is very unnatural to them. In this case it's not a skill you're building. It's a modification of behavior linked to a natural inclination. Like we do with many young puppies, we're going to treat-train. That means the first thing you'll do is find a treat he's nuts about! Pick something he really loves, and use small portions as a reward for proper behavior. I suggest one of the simplest, most basic and essential commands; "Here". Start indoors if you can, and in private...at first. Use whatever kind of 'sit/stay' function you're used to using so he's familiar with what's expected.

The next step is to take it outside and do the same thing. Even if there are no people present, outdoors contains distractions. Add people into the setting one at a time. If they create a distraction, stop training the command, keep the pup on leash or rope, and you & your dog sit down with the new person together. Speak in soothing tones and take turns offering the pup treats. Over a course of a few minutes allow only the new person to give treats and praise. This usually takes little time, but let the pup show you when he's ready to continue training. This time when the pup comes as called both of you get close together and praise the pup, and both of you offer treats. Then stop training after a few reps, and just sit with the pup...ending the session.

As long as that session went well (it nearly always does), add another person to your next session. Since you have already used the drill to acquaint your pup with the situation, you should not need to do a here drill any longer. Just go out in the yard and invite the new person (who should have treats) to come and sit with you as before. When the pup is calm and accepting, invite another friend the same way. Day by day, adding one person at a time, do the same thing. It even helps to do it in the same spot for a while. Keep adding people until your group is a dozen or so.

When that circumstance is warmly welcomed by your dog, have a friend come over with treats, and take your dog to greet him at the door. Your friend should kneel down to greet your pup and offer treats. Remember, the actual amount of food offered as a treat should be very small each time. Get that far, and let me know.

EvanG

[Cicada]

Would having a younger dog or pup visiting once and a while help or hinder this problem?

Grant

[EvanG]

Once the process is moving forward, another dog or pup could help in the same way. Dogs are situational learners. They behave according to their expectations in each situation. Anytime people or dogs are present you want your pup to expect to be happy...to feel good. That's what you're building here.

EvanG

[DoubleBarrel GunDogs]

Evan has given you some good advice.

One of the benefits of treat training is to help build trust. It aids in communicating with the dog in a non threatening way. Many dogs perceive unfamiliar people and things as a threat.

Nate

[Bjfsr1021]

Thanks for the advice guys. I would have thought she would know my kids by now. They are around her more than I am.

[EvanG]

Thanks for the advice guys. I would have thought she would know my kids by now. They are around her more than I am.

That depends on how they established their relationships, and how the dog perceived it. It's not automatic.

EvanG

[Bjfsr1021]

This is all good to hear. I thought that I might have a dog with issues. Hopefully with work she will trust everyone more and interact with everyone in the family.

[Georgia Boy]

IMO you do have a dog with issues.3-5 months is a critical time in a pups life where they should be getting exposure and socialization to, and with, as many different things as possible. Sometimes when they haven't had this they will act in a manner such as your dog does or worse. It can take a lot of work with a dog to overcome this and some never will completely.

[Sharon]

What I was going to say. That's the clear truth .

[roaniecowpony]

Evan
when would you introduce the dog to public places like stores?

[Trekmoor]

If she was kept with her litter mates up to the time that you bought her , do you know or can you find out if they seem well socialised or do they exhibit the same behaviour as your pup ?

Bill T.

[EvanG]

Evan
when would you introduce the dog to public places like stores?

Step by step. When strangers are met calmly in a familiar environment, take the process to a dog park, or something similar. Move step by step through this and it will go well. Gamble be moving on too quickly and it may not.

EvanG