Is this normal?

Jennifer

Jennifer

Some of you will remember how nervous and reactive Scott and Scout were with people and dogs and obviously I’m trying really hard, maybe too hard, not to let Hunter end up the same way. There were a number or reasons S&S were reactive and Hunter’s temperament is very different to there’s to begin with so I don’t think he’d have the same issues but todays walk has got me worrying. He’s always been a little bit wary meeting new people and dogs but gets over it quickly. If someone puts there hand out to stroke he’ll quite often bounce away in a playful way then eventually decide their ok and be best friends especially if they crouch down to his level. S&S never made friends with strangers. With dogs he bounces and play bows away from them if their trying to get too friendly too soon but if they start ignoring him he wants to make friends and the more often he meets the dog the more confident he is. Also if a dog passes us without stopping to meet he just watches it go. Very different to S&S. This morning we went for a slightly longer walk to see my friend who has Hunter’s uncle on the next farm to ours. A lady who I’ve been meeting for years stopped to talk while we were there with her staffi. We were on the other side of the gate. Hunter ended up barking at the staffi although he was showing play/puppy body language. I distracted him. I didn’t let him meet the staffi as I know it can be reactive. When we set off for home one of the tractor drivers stopped and jumped out of the tractor to meet Hunter. He put his hand out Hunter bounced away but when the man tried again he bounced away and barked. I was able to distract him and while we talked Hunter ended up going to him. He didn’t make best friends but he wasn’t bothered anymore. I remember Murphy was wary of men for some unknown reason at a similar age but having experienced Scott and Scout I just want to know if this is “normal” puppy behaviour. It’s hard to remember.🤔
 
kateincornwall

kateincornwall

Location
Cornwall , UK
Reuben was quite wary of people at times when he was younger . I just didnt make a big thing about it , let him greet at his own pace and if he didnt want to, that was ok . He was also more wary of men but over time, this has gone completely , I think its just ( for me anyway ) just letting him set the pace where meeting was concerned and now, he loves everybody ! xx
 
HAH

HAH

Moderator
Location
Devon, UK
This is incredibly normal. Barking and bouncing away are all part of their puppy repertoire for creating distance if they're uncertain, or worried, or confused.

Just watching is a lovely behaviour and we try to encourage this with both our boys - giving them time to process things wherever possible and (I've had to retrain myself a lot with this one!) avoid saying 'it's okay, don't worry' for everything because actually it's important for them to have space to work this out for themselves. This sounds like what happened with the tractor driver - as you carried on talking to your friend, Hunter had space to come to his own conclusion and decide to investigate him further. You're doing brilliantly, and are making clear observations of Hunter's environment and body language. He's a lucky pup to have such an engaged human!
 
Kelsey

Kelsey

Like already mentioned from others, Axel was also wary of strangers as a pup, but he did eventually grow out of it! Axel was bad enough that I streamlined treats as we passed strangers, if we did stop and talk I would toss a bunch on the ground to distract him until his confidence grew. People were usually really good at letting him come to them when he was ready. The wary behaviour should stop as Hunter’s confidence grows, it’s a whole big world out there to learn 😍
 
Selina27

Selina27

Location
Herefordshire, UK
Jennifer said:
I need to remember to relax, go with the flow and not stress the little stuff right ?. I’m trying I really am %)
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:giggl:

I set out with Cassie to have the perfectly trained dog :giggl: - became blindingly obvious fairly soon that that wasn't happening :giggl:

A certain well known gundog trainer said to me once "there's something I want say to you but I don't know how you'll take it" I said go ahead that's what I pay you for -- "Well" she said " You are rather anal with her" :rofl::rofl:
 
edzbird

edzbird

Location
Isle of Man
No puppy experience here, but it does sound very normal to me. I don't think you're even supposed to offer your hand to a strange dog, just crouch and let it approach if it wants to.
Jennifer said:
If someone puts there hand out to stroke he’ll quite often bounce away in a playful way then eventually decide their ok and be best friends especially if they crouch down to his level.
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Like this.:nod:
 
kateincornwall

kateincornwall

Location
Cornwall , UK
A very knowledgeable gundog trainer once told me, when Sam was a puppy , she said think of this scenario : How would you feel if a complete stranger came up close and wanted to touch your hair or hug you ? Answer , you wouldnt care for it ! You would back right off and feel very threatened or at the very least most uncomfortable , so right and apt . xxx
 
Jennifer

Jennifer

Selina27 said:
@Jennifer - not that I think you are being anal with Hunter, not at all!
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:rofl: Don’t worry Selina I didn’t think you were but I‘ll happily admit I probably am. Good to know I’m not the only one.:wink:

I’m pleased to be able to report a much better first meet and greet on our walk. Yet again a tractor driver (there seems to be a theme developing in our socialising :unsure:) The difference was this tractor driver knew what he was doing. He was working on one of our fields as we walked past and came to see Hunter. Hunter trotted to him wagging, driver put his hand out to stroke, Hunter bounced away. The driver then crouched down said “come and check me out then“. Hunter went straight to him, gave him a good sniff then kind of leaned into him. Driver then said “am I ok now ?” and started stroking Hunter who then started climbing up the poor driver licking him like they were long lost friends.🥰 If only all people knew how to greet a puppy/dog life would be so much easier.
 
Jennifer

Jennifer

I’m back. So this afternoon we met yet another farmer with his young cocker spaniel. It’s about 18 months old so very lively and bouncy. Noses sniffed Hunter bounced away but the young cocker bounced after him. Hunter then kept bouncing all over the place trying to get away from the cocker. When the cocker backed off Hunter stopped. He even went to the farmer quite a few times to be stroked but when the cocker moved nearer off he’d bounce away again. We walked along with them to our gate and Hunter was fine with that. Hunter and the cocker then did everything you’d want young dogs to do, play bow, bounce in and out, yapping but if the cocker bounced too near off Hunter went. I just let Hunter do what he wanted. I’m not too bothered by this as he is very good at sitting and watching a dog pass and I’m not really a fan of dogs meeting on lead anyway as it can get complicated but I want Hunter to meet friendly dogs while he’s a pup so I’m going with it at the moment. I just wondered is it better to avoid these meetings so he doesn’t get overwhelmed or is there something else I could do to make it easier for him? It often depends on the other owner of course. Some have realised Hunter is a bit wary and get their dog to back off to try and encourage him while others, like this afternoon, just let their dogs carry on because they “just want to play”. :wasntme:
 
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