Need help shyness with strangers

[Larry gomez]

Hello hope everyone is doing well I am having a issue with my boerboel its kinda of my fault and trying to find a way about fixing it I received my boerboel for my birthday was 8 weeks old when I received him he is now 8 months grew up during pandemic so could not go out much with him he is really great with family and family dogs and goes on walks great aslong as people ignore us walking by he is fine but as soon as they want to pet him he will either hide behind me are will growl and get defensive now if a new friend comes to the house and sits down and he sniff them he becomes a big lovable dog I'm guess this is just him being not socialized to strangers I would like to get him to the point were I can take him out and not worry about somone running up and trying to pet him should I put a muzzle on him and take him around more people he has never snapped at anyone but has growled and and 2 times has barked otherwise just puts his head down and back away from there hand please help me with any suggestions I want to take this care of this as soon as possible thank you

 

[glen]

Hello hope everyone is doing well I am having a issue with my boerboel its kinda of my fault and trying to find a way about fixing it I received my boerboel for my birthday was 8 weeks old when I received him he is now 8 months grew up during pandemic so could not go out much with him he is really great with family and family dogs and goes on walks great aslong as people ignore us walking by he is fine but as soon as they want to pet him he will either hide behind me are will growl and get defensive now if a new friend comes to the house and sits down and he sniff them he becomes a big lovable dog I'm guess this is just him being not socialized to strangers I would like to get him to the point were I can take him out and not worry about somone running up and trying to pet him should I put a muzzle on him and take him around more people he has never snapped at anyone but has growled and and 2 times has barked otherwise just puts his head down and back away from there hand please help me with any suggestions I want to take this care of this as soon as possible thank you

Welcome to the forum.
This behaviour could be a because you was unable to socialise, also it could be hes just going to be aloof with strangers, he could be going through a fear stage also.
My cc is aloof with strangers and he was very well socialised, but being socialised doesnt mean they want to be touched by everyone. Gandalf ignores everyone,
What you need to work on is how to behave when people approach you, dont let the people approach and touch him, get him to sit, stay relaxed and talk to the people, if he growls or barks tell him enough or no whatever command you use to mean no. Then carry on talking. Hopefully the more he sees its not a big deal or threat he will relax more.
Hes goinf to react to people he doesnt know that comes into your house, all of my 3 do, make sure hes at a safe place until he is calm and can see your happy.

 

[Larry gomez]

Welcome to the forum.
This behaviour could be a because you was unable to socialise, also it could be hes just going to be aloof with strangers, he could be going through a fear stage also.
My cc is aloof with strangers and he was very well socialised, but being socialised doesnt mean they want to be touched by everyone. Gandalf ignores everyone,
What you need to work on is how to behave when people approach you, dont let the people approach and touch him, get him to sit, stay relaxed and talk to the people, if he growls or barks tell him enough or no whatever command you use to mean no. Then carry on talking. Hopefully the more he sees its not a big deal or threat he will relax more.
Hes goinf to react to people he doesnt know that comes into your house, all of my 3 do, make sure hes at a safe place until he is calm and can see

Thank you for the reply I really appreciate it and I just read and saw some videos saying that 8 and months are the biggest fear stage and he just turned 8 months so that can also be part of it is was very socialized with family and has done great but not many strangers

 

[Larry gomez]

[QUOTE="Larry gomez, post: 390907,


Thank you for the reply I really appreciate it and I just read and saw some videos saying that 8 and 9 months are the biggest fear stage and he just turned 8 months so that can also be part of it is was very socialized with family and has done great but not many strangers