We got our first lab puppy in February when she was 10 weeks old. Everything was going great with her socialization at first, we were taking her to stores and getting her out around people and walking her in the neighborhood. She was a champ about all new experiences. Then the virus hit and starting March 17th, we were locked down and could only walk in the neighborhood and rarely saw another person and when we did it was from a great distance and they acted afraid of us. Fast forward to the end of May when she was nearly 6 months old and we finally took her out again and now she barks at everything and doesn’t want anyone to pet her. Then we were finally able to the dog park for the first time when it reopened the first weekend in July and she is terrified of other dogs. Not aggressive at all, just doesn’t want them to sniff her or play with her, or look at her. She barks furiously at them through the fence, then runs from them when they’re in the same space. We have continued to take her places and she does well until someone pets her (she sniffs them, licks their hands, then backs up and barks at them), or she sees another dog (she barks immediately). We took her to her breeder’s house and let her be around an old dog who lives there. She was super scared of him at first, but eventually settled down in his presence after 45 minutes or so. We haven’t been able to go to dog school yet because they all shut down for the virus and none have reopened in our area. Sorry this turned out to be so long, just wanted to give you the full story. Any suggestions for helping to socialize her? Are we doing the right thing by continuing to take her places and letting people interact with her? Thank you for any insight you can provide!!
Hey! Sounds like she is used to having her own space due to lock down and now doesn't like people being in it. Are you able to start by introducing her to friends/family and having them in 'her space'. Another great way of socialising is getting a dog walker to take her out with other dogs a couple of times a week. It gets her use to other dogs and people. Thats what we do with Luna now so she doesn't shy away from things.
She has a dog sitter who comes over any day we have to be in the office all day to take get out and spends an hour with her. She loves her. She just started bringing her husband and Freya warmed up to him right away. Due to the virus, we really don’t have people over, but I thought about asking a friend to bring her dog over a let them hang out in Freya’s yard to see how that went.
Thats good then! Think that would be a good idea to introduce other dogs in her garden to start with and it should help her see that they aren't scary. She will feel safe as its her space and if she isn't happy she can retreat back into the house.
Thank you so much for your replies! We really want her to be social and to be comfortable around new people/animals. She seems confident in new environments, as long as it’s just the three of us. So I think there is hope for her!
She will definitely get there! Once she is used to your friends dog in the garden then try move to playing at the park and it will hopefully help her see that its okay
I have the exact problem with my 6 month old pup! Covid has ruined his socialization and he's scared of strangers and dogs Same thing, he doesn't like people to pet him. Unfortunately he's scared enough that when we meet new dogs he gets a tad aggressive and snappy. Hopefully because they are so young, we will be able to work it out. I got a Labrador purposely because they are meant to be so friendly. I don't have much in the way of advice, just wanted you to know that you aren't alone!
