Hi! I have a 13 week old australian shepherd. I got him at 8 weeks. He’s wonderful! But he’s on the more skittish side. For example, he is still afraid of all people. At 8 weeks, he would growl at everyone but me. From 9-13 weeks, he had opened up more and doesn’t growl, but will never approach anyone and backs away whenever anyone offers a hand to pet (not petting but just offering a hand for him to come towards). He barks at anything new in the house: a zucchini slice, his dog food bag (loud noise), wreath on the neighbor’s front door, a new package at the entryway. He’s great with dogs though! I take him to 2 classes weekly where he gets to play with other puppies and learn training! I walk him at home depot 3x per week, take him to the outdoor mall every sunday, and he passed people in our apartment complex every day. I take him through the drive-thru, let him approach “scary” new objects and textures, and he goes on a carride every afternoon.
Is this his personality or will he grow out of this? I’d like him to be friendly and confident and hope my training/socialization him will work! Thanks!
submitted by /u/ilikebananabread
[link] [comments]