My sweet boy is 6 months old and doing so well in so many ways. In the past two months, we noticed some anxiety when meeting new people in public and have been working on having him on his anxiety around new people. He’s been doing much better, unless someone is wearing sunglasses (even people he knows) approaching him! He seems to be only ok with my husband or myself wear sunglasses, but barks a nice deep “stay away” bark if anyone else has them on. As soon as the sunglasses come off, he’s everyone’s best friend. I plan on continuing to work with him by having him sit, watch me, and get some treats, but if anyone has experience with this or has any ideas I’d love to hear them!
My girl used to be wary of hats. I asked some friends and family to wear hats and I rewarded her for looking at them then turning to me for a treat. How is he with people wearing normal glasses?
Normal glasses are just fine! I’ve talked to our trainer and the vet about it and have been told some dogs fear sunglasses because they can look like large pupils staring down at them, which is scary to the dog. The biggest problem is he’s fine some of the time and in total state of non-stop barking other times. It’s difficult to figure out when he’ll be triggered.
I bet it you work at it, with you and friends wearing sunglasses in a non threatening manner, she will get over it (treats involved). I understand that most dogs don't really like people staring at them, but most pets get used to it, and are fine with it after a while. I bet sunglasses are an extension of that.
So what we need to is teach your boy that sunglasses are the best thing because they mean treats. If you can recruit some willing helpers it would good. Begin with them just walking into the same room As your boy. As soon as he sees them give him a really tasty treat. We want to pair sunglasses to the treat to change his emotional state from fearing the sunglasses to loving the sunglasses. Make sure he gets the treat before he has chance to react. Once he's happy in one room practice in another and then the garden, outside the house, down the road, in the park. Reaction to sunglasses is quite common in autumn, winter puppies in much the same way that bobble hats and the like cause a reaction in spring, summer pups. My training mentor has a dressing up box that she uses in her puppy training classes to try and cover these type of problems.
