Socialization
Socializing for your dog? In a funny sort of way yes. Socialization is all about ensuring your dog is comfortable with strangers, whether that's dogs or people, coming up to him/her in unfamiliar places. Whether it's people petting or just getting to, your dog needs to learn this as a priority given that it is an important skill for your pet. Taking your dog to places such as the Pet shop, the park or even on the bus or tube is a great start, but ensure you get professional help from your local dog training centre on how to handle different situations.
Where your dog reacts negatively to strangers, use familiarity of places and people to help them get over it. Ranging from barking to cowering away from strangers, you can sometimes use treats as a way for strangers to approach your dog. This may distract them and then you can assume that familiarity will breed a sense of comfort for the dog. In the same way, your dog must also get to know other dogs. You can make this simpler by 'introducing' dogs that you know to be calm and trustworthy. Reward your dog for being close to the other dog, then for being closer and then finally where both are next to each other.
Any dog that is noisy or aggressive to people or other dogs in particular, is inviting danger. The potential for two or more to start fighting is a very real prospect and not something you should allow. So with both humans and other animals, you need to teach your dog how to interact and how to be comfortable with others. This is where professional dog training classes will be invaluable. Check out your Yellow Pages or online to find trainers that specialise in nervous or aggressive dogs so that you can nip this behaviour in the bud.
Related ads:
