Suggestions wanted for helping doodle meet new people

[Alicia]

I have a 16 month old female labradoodle that is extremely friendly, exuberant, and bouncy with people she knows. She greets everyone with a smile...really, she smiles.  She goes everywhere with us and has been socialized from a very young age.  We visit a local park where she is off lead running around twice a day for her play time.  However, whenever she meets new people she will cower down and walk toward them if I'm lucky.  Otherwise she'll just look at them with no tail wag or anything. She never barks nor shows any signs of aggression whatsoever as that isn't her nature. I try to carry treats to help in the situation when meeting new people.  

She is more comfortable meeting people when she is off lead as she has more control in the situation. She'll go up and give them a quick kiss and then bounce away.  It's on her terms so it's good. I'd just like to help her feel more comfortable rather than be at two ends of the spectrum with her personality especially as we're so close to being ready to take the assessment to be a certified Delta Therapy dog.  Any tips or suggestions are greatly appreciated.  Thank you!!  

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I would enlist the aid of people in your neighborhood and at the park - teenagers are usually really, really happy to do this.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

This is very interesting, and is going to be a big problem for you on the therapy test if you can't find a way to correct it.  For the therapy test one of the main things is for the dog to show no reluctance in meeting other people.  The reason behind that is that it will make people feel like she doesn't like them.  Trust me, the people will notice even the slightest hesitation.  My Lucy is somewhat timid and has to meet people on her own terms.  She is all happy go lucky once she decides you are ok, but if she isn't sure she sort of backs away.  She used to go to our local Veteran's Home when I would take Sophie sometimes.  Some of the residents have commented that she didn't like them.  I'd always explain to them that she was a little shy.   I've never taken her to be tested for that very reason.  My Sophie was my therapy dog.  She had the perfect personality in that she never met a stranger.  If someone walked past her and didn't stop and pet her she would turn around and look at them like hey, you didn't pet me.  My suggestions would be just like Nancy said to enlist people in your neighborhood to help.  Using the treats is a perfect idea (although you won't be able to use them during the test).  You can give the treats to the neighborhood kids to give her when she goes up to them.  You could also go to shopping centers and places like that to practice.  You might also consider taking a Therapy Pet Training Class as they might have some good suggestions for you to help with that particular problem.  To add to it she is going to have to be comfortable going up to people that have walkers, canes, wheel chairs, are very shakey etc.   Lots and lots of practice.  I waited until Sophie was two to have her tested because I just felt she needed a little more of the puppy out of her before she tested.  She passed with flying colors.  Good luck.  Hope that you find something to help! 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I really think the Therapy Training Class is a great idea.  I took this class with Guinness and it helped tremendously.  The instructor set up all kinds of training situations for us to get the dogs used to being comfortable meeting lots of "strangers".  It was an 8 wk class and we went to stores and nursing homes to "practice". 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Alicia -- One other thing that I just thought about that I have been trying with Lucy lately.  Last April when Sophie's Delta certification was expiring Delta was going through the transition to Pet Partners.  There was no one in my area doing any Delta testing so I ended up having to go with this local organization.  They were a sub group of Delta but were breaking away and going out on their own.  Anyway, they made me take a training class (never mind I had been with Delta for two years already).   In their training and in their testing they wanted the handlers on the level with the dog when greeting people.  In other words, if you can't pick your dog up, then you are getting down on your knees (tough to do for old folk like me).  Anyway, I tried it the other day with Lucy and it really seemed to make her more comfortable.  We were visiting with a little neighbor girl who was about 8.  Maybe you could when you are practicing with the neighborhood kids, try maybe when they are about 10 feet away (or where ever she starts backing up to put her in a sit, then get down on your knees with her, then let the visitor approach slowly with a treat.  Then gradually work to get closer and closer before you put her in a sit. 

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

This is exactly what they taught us as well. Monty passed the Pet Partners (then Delta) evaluations and we joined a local dog therapy group. I remember the leader of the group saying: Strangers will pet your dog, but you need to pet him more. Monty is certainly not shy to go meet other people, but while we stand next to a patient's bed and the patient is petting Monty on his back, I either stand right next to Monty or kneel down and pet his back.

You know, she does not have to be excited to meet new people, she just should not shy away. I've seen seasoned therapy dogs before we took the evaluations and I was horrified since all the dogs were completely serious when being petted by strangers. No emotions, nothing. They just came to you and stood there while you touched them. I was certain that there is NO way my Monty is going to pass since his turbo tail never stops wagging and he is always on the go.

A therapy training class would be great if you can find one in your area. Also, I would take her to a local Home Depot or a store that allows dogs inside. Just walk around during weekends. There will be plenty of people who would want to pet her (nobody can resist a doodle) so you will have a chance to see how she does.

[Alicia]

Thank you all for taking the time with your helpful responses.  I've now got several ideas as to where I can go from here in supporting my doodle.  I'm also realizing that as much as I may be ready for us to take the assessment to become a therapy dog that she may not be ready now, if ever.  I genuinely appreciate your kindness and guidance you've provided through your responses.