Ripley is 9 months and all of the sudden terribly shy

[elkshawkeye]

Just a note to ask you guys something.

We have a new friend visiting our home and for the first time ever, Ripley is very shy. In fact, he will hide from this visitor.

Ripley is normally quite outgoing at Lowe's, Petsmart or when other visitors ...well...visit!

Ripley will take treats, and is okay to be walked by this visitor, and will start play language and then look "afraid/apprehensive" and then come and sit by me, or hide behind the recliner or kitchen table. The visitor is another race and male, but Ripley's been around other races before with no blowback.

Any thoughts?

Picture of him is a 8 months, 125 lbs. He's 9 months as I write, and my husband forgot to weigh him at last nail clip.

 

[Smokeycat]

They can go through another fear stage at his age. As much as you can ignore the fearful behavior especially when he hides. If you must acknowledge it I always used a tone of voice that humans would understand as my think they were being stupid/ridiculous. This seemed to snap them out of the fear behavior.

 

[Hector]

Have the visitor completely ignore him. Hang out and just chat with the guy. The dog will eventually be relaxed enough to check out the visitor. Visitor should continue to ignore the dog. If he wants to offer food, then offer it open palm from the side and don't look at the dog.

Play language doesn't always means the dog wants to play. He may be gesturing that he is no harm.

 

[Max's mom]

Maybe he doesn't understand why the guy is still in HIS spot...when you visit those other places, all the people don't mean a lot because they are passing by, passing through etc. Now, the people are in his territory. Just a thought.

 

[elkshawkeye]

Thanks for the replies. I will ask the kid (18 years old) to just ignore my little darlin'. What I didn't mention is that tons of people are in/out of our house (our son is 18) and this is the only time Ripley has acted that way. Thanks for the insight on the body language as well. Hadn't thought of that.

 

[elkshawkeye]

How do I get a picture on my Member spot? My fella is so handsome and I want the world to know!

 

[elkshawkeye]

Trying to update picture


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[DDSK]

Yep just have the visitor ignore him, sooner or later his curiosity will make him overcome his fear.

 

[EverythingEnglishMastiff]

My neighbor has a lil girl and she is very shy with almost every visitor except me. I've found that at first I had to be very passive in her environment and not to engage her, make eye contact, or sudden movements. Once she became more comfortable with my presence, her owner actually got her to sit in between us on the couch of her own free will. At this point of course treats help.

Point being was we let her approach the situation under her terms. I didn't immediately try to speak with her or follow her around trying to get her to accept me or let me pet her. Now when I go over she is usually the first one to greet me at the gate. But it took time and sensitivity to her feelings.

P.S. I love the picture with you holding that big boy. I can't pick mine up anymore =(

 

[TWW]

As the rest have said ignore. 9 months is famous for being a fear stage time leading into the teens time.

Invest in booze.