sheltie barking/growling at strangers

[Silaria]

I agree with what Trini said. She's in a new living environment and hasn't fully learned you will protect her. I've had my 5.5 month old puppy for just over a month now and it took the better part of that month to develop that bond of trust, she's been with you for barely a week.

Exposing her to things is great! You just need to take it slow. I had my pup at a local park that borders a busy street. We sat on a bench not to far from the street but far enough not to cause stress. As cars and buses passed the park I treated him. We moved slowly closer to the street (the walking trail goes along the road like a sidewalk) and over time were able to walk down the trail.

Another time there were people playing basketball. We watched from a distance and I treated him during ball bounces and especially when the ball hit the metal backboard. It took time but eventually we were able to walk past the basketball court while people were engaged in play.

Part of the key to my approach was only spending 5-10 minutes in the area I was working in (road traffic/basketball/etc.) then relocated to a quieter area to reduce the stress but still enjoy the time in the park.

As Trini said, the little girl you met is in there. You just need to give her the time she needs to feel comfortable and safe with you.

 

[trini]

<<<<Part of the key to my approach was only spending 5-10 minutes in the area I was working in (road traffic/basketball/etc.) then relocated to a quieter area to reduce the stress but still enjoy the time in the park.>>>

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Excellent advice! You always want to end any "training session" on a happy, unstressed note.

 

[Biscuit]

I agree with what Trini said. She's in a new living environment and hasn't fully learned you will protect her. I've had my 5.5 month old puppy for just over a month now and it took the better part of that month to develop that bond of trust, she's been with you for barely a week.

Exposing her to things is great! You just need to take it slow. I had my pup at a local park that borders a busy street. We sat on a bench not to far from the street but far enough not to cause stress. As cars and buses passed the park I treated him. We moved slowly closer to the street (the walking trail goes along the road like a sidewalk) and over time were able to walk down the trail.

Another time there were people playing basketball. We watched from a distance and I treated him during ball bounces and especially when the ball hit the metal backboard. It took time but eventually we were able to walk past the basketball court while people were engaged in play.

Part of the key to my approach was only spending 5-10 minutes in the area I was working in (road traffic/basketball/etc.) then relocated to a quieter area to reduce the stress but still enjoy the time in the park.

As Trini said, the little girl you met is in there. You just need to give her the time she needs to feel comfortable and safe with you.

Great ideas. The park where we go to is bordered by a sidewalk. Me and Christy walk down our road and through some grass to get there. This is where we sit on the bench and do tricks. This area has the less activity. In the distance she is able to see the park, basketball players, and the library. So that spot is great, except for the occasional jogger/walker. I think we will slowly work our way closer to the playground area little by little. If nobody is there, we explore the playground and other paths.

 

[Hanne]

Biscuit - "I work a whole lot with her on looking at me, lying down, sitting down, stay, leave it." -- "we sit on the bench and do tricks"

She has only been with you in less than eight days, in my personal opinion I seemed still that you should put your focus away from these "tricks".

She is still a very small puppy in a new environment, you are still new people of her world.

Her little head find it difficult to tackle so many new things at the same time.
Let her be allowed to be a little puppy and give her peace to "digest" each new environment without requiring a lot of things from her.

I know you have high expectations to train her, which is really nice.
But leave it until she is much more "strong" in ordinary surroundings and everyday things, everything else can come later.

She needs just to be a little puppy in a big, big new world, she must have time to explore and digest.

 

[Biscuit]

Biscuit - "I work a whole lot with her on looking at me, lying down, sitting down, stay, leave it." -- "we sit on the bench and do tricks"

She has only been with you in less than eight days, in my personal opinion I seemed still that you should put your focus away from these "tricks".

She is still a very small puppy in a new environment, you are still new people of her world.

Her little head find it difficult to tackle so many new things at the same time.
Let her be allowed to be a little puppy and give her peace to "digest" each new environment without requiring a lot of things from her.

I know you have high expectations to train her, which is really nice.
But leave it until she is much more "strong" in ordinary surroundings and everyday things, everything else can come later.

She needs just to be a little puppy in a big, big new world, she must have time to explore and digest.

You're right, we should focus more on surroundings and bonding rather than tricks. Next time we take a walk, I will just sit around and let her explore. We will also spend time just sitting at the bench. But if a stranger walks by, should I redirect her attention by doing tricks, or just letting her look at the stranger and giving her treats? Also would it still be a good idea to enroll her in obedience class, or should I wait later. I don't want her to be fearful because of being suddenly in class, but then again puppies should be socialized as early as possible.

 

[Silaria]

But if a stranger walks by, should I redirect her attention by doing tricks, or just letting her look at the stranger and giving her treats?

This is where something like "watch me", not necessarily coupled with a behavior like sit, is your best friend. With "watch me" the dog learns to check in with you regularly for guidance. Can you pair it with a behavior like sit? Yes, but, in my opinion, the command should be stand alone because if you are walking you don't necessarily want a sit and look at you all the time.

 

[Biscuit]

This is where something like "watch me", not necessarily coupled with a behavior like sit, is your best friend. With "watch me" the dog learns to check in with you regularly for guidance. Can you pair it with a behavior like sit? Yes, but, in my opinion, the command should be stand alone because if you are walking you don't necessarily want a sit and look at you all the time.

Great, we will work on eye contact more than the other tricks. She is actually very good at it at home, and does it at the park pretty well until there is a distraction. She's getting there.

 

[Hanne]

cut --1. Next time we take a walk, I will just sit around and let her explore. We will also spend time just sitting at the bench. But if a stranger walks by, should I redirect her attention by doing tricks, or just letting her look at the stranger and giving her treats?
2. Also would it still be a good idea to enroll her in obedience class, or should I wait later. I don't want her to be fearful because of being suddenly in class,
3. but then again puppies should be socialized as early as possible

Still my personal opinion:
1: It is important that you let her decide the pace, do not give treats or "watch me" when people go past, let her sniff the air, see / experience them first - just before you can see, it's too much for her, you take contact.
To see / meet people shall be a natural everyday thing.

2: When you are sure that she tackles these everyday things, then you can start watching for a place you seemed, you both fit.

3: Yes, and it is your largest and most important assignment, and that is what you do everyday by being with her at home and when you walk and let her experiencing new things / places but again in a quiet and calm tempo, it is here she becomes socialized.

 

[Silaria]

Still my personal opinion:
1: It is important that you let her decide the pace, do not give treats or "watch me" when people go past, let her sniff the air, see / experience them first - just before you can see, it's too much for her, you take contact.

Sorry, Hanne, I don't agree with you on the part I highlighted above. If Christy is reactive to motion whether its because she's scared, herding instinct or something else, such as a jogger or biker passing by, a "watch me" is EXACTLY what is needed. You DO NOT want the dog, especially one who is nervous and uncertain, at any point, to think it's OK to bark and lung at people or objects. It just reinforces the thought that she needs to take care of herself in this strange new world and will escalate over time resulting in a highly reactive, even less confident, dog.

Even though she's still settling in there IS some level of training that must take place so Christy learns her family will help her be safe in her environment.

 

[Hanne]

Biscuit ask : 1: ---We will also spend time just sitting at the bench. But if a stranger walks by, should I redirect her attention by doing tricks, or just letting her look at the stranger and giving her treats?

My answer1: It is important that you let her decide the pace, do not give treats or "watch me" when people go past, let her sniff the air, see / experience them first - just before you can see, it's too much for her, you take contact.

Silaria -Maybe you misunderstand what I write because of my bad English.
Please -be nice to read what I write here above.

The situation is that they are sitting quietly and sees people walking by.