Socialization

[pinkie1205]

Of course most of you know that I got Killer a few months ago.

Here lately he hasn't been reacting to well to strangers. He doesn't bite but I can't get him to stop barking. I have noticed lately that if I take him for a walk and he sees someone, he will bark and if they go to pet him the hair on the back of his neck will stand up. Like I said he won't bite, but he isn't too friendly either.
He does get walked but I live in a small town so he really doesn't get to see people other then my family. He goes to my mom's house with me and he sees the neighbors there but he is always friendly towards them. I took him to a dog friendly store with me the other day and he was friendly to some of the guys in there but a girl came in and asked to pet him and he wouldn't stop barking at her.

I am afraid that he's getting what I call the small dog syndrome....where he will only be friendly towards me and the people who are around him most. I don't want this to happen to him. I really want him to be friendly with everyone.

Does anyone have any ideas? There aren't any dog parks around here and really his problem isn't dogs, it's just people. I'd rather not resort to taking him to pet smart and places like that.

[CrWoodyspets]

I think that you should have a lot of different friends/family over and then when the dog barks take him into another room for a few minutes and then bring him back. Keep that up until the doggie stops barking at people. Its a long process and I hope it works, you just have to be patient and see.