Fear of some people?

[Noah]

Noah loves all.. people, children, other animals, etc., but we have a strange situation. He adored our best friends who visit us about once a month since he was a pup. About a year ago, suddenly he became terribly afraid of both the husband and wife. As soon as they come into our house, he runs upstairs and hides. He will not go near either one of them (who love all animals, especially, Noah). We cannot figure out what happened? We've tried using treats to get him to come down to visit, but he is not motivated by treats. In fact, he won't even take a treat from me anywhere in the house when they are here. This is so disturbing to us and our friends who can't figure out Noah's strange and fearful behavior. Any ideas out there??

[Ginny Nightingale]

Not a clue! A smell, perhaps? Do they have pets or an unusual job that would leave odors? That is a strange one. My dog is particularly afraid of men with beards but also my husband's friend, who happens to be a trapper. Yup--they still exist. He always has interesting smells because he works with coyotes, beavers, you name it. (EW!) I put Lyric on a leash and keep rewarding her for sitting calmly when he is here--but i do use food, since she responds well to it. Try to find a different food that she can't resist--like bacon or american cheese-- and only use it when they are visiting. Maybe if you keep her on a leash (for reassurance) and feed her these "super-treats" while she is sitting in the same room as them--then gradually she will get closer and get over this!

[Noah]

Hi Ginny - thanks so much for responding. I haven't tried putting Noah on a leash when they are here. Sometimes I can coax him downstairs when they are in the kitchen, but he just hides under my feet. I have tried cheese (which is usually his favorite treat), but I haven't tried bacon. This couple does have a cat, but they visited for two years before Noah became afraid of them!). We also have cats next door and he loves the couple that lives there. I'll let you know how I make out next time they visit. Thanks again for the tips.
Susan

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

NO... but many of us have this issue. My girl is doing the same thing. It's sudden, it could be just out of the blue, this week she is now afraid of the Custard Stand :) even though she has been there before. Last week I took her alone, just with me, a girls night out thing. Since that day she cowers on the floor and refuses commands to respond, eat ice cream, or come out and enjoy the family. Nothing happened that night.

Please join us in the Doodle Anxiety, Behavior, and Mental Health Issues Group--We love our dogs and are trying to share ways we can help them--or us ( he he ). It is a new group. Some of us have Big issues, some are just small quirks.

[Noah]

Thanks so much! Don't we wish our doodles could talk and tell us what they are thinking. I will join the group (as soon as I can find it). I haven't been into DoodleKisses for a long time and need to explore more. How wonderful to hear that Noah is not the only one with "quirky" behavior. Thanks again!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Hi Noah,
Here is the link to the group. http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/mentalhealth/forum/topics/fear-an...

Join us in our boat.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Going with the smell idea Ginney and Jane presented an idea might be to ask this nice couple for an unwashed T-shirt, and old couch pillow.... something with thier scent. Present it to your dog and go from there.

[Noah]

That's a great idea. Then we can find out if it is just their scent that he is responding to! Thanks so much