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I have a 15 month Saint Bernard and as he is getting older he is becoming more afraid of strangers. I take him for a walk 5 days a week and he is trained to walk beside me. He is also trained to sit, stay, down, stay, come. Quinn will do anything for me. But when we go for a walk he becomes very fearful. The older he is getting the worse it is. I want to help but don't know how. I also have a 5 yr old saint female that goes for walks with us too. She is fearful also but in the opposite way. She walks calmly but other dogs will attack her because she always has her head lowered in a fearful position. How do I change them? I walk everyday...I don't understand the fear. It is in every place we go. Not just our neighborhood, but parks, etc. Not one place over another either. I am a calm assertive walker. I don't look for trouble. I react when it gets there. Please Help! Thanks for all your help ahead of time.
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Answers
The solution to your problem is sort of in your own questions. "I want to help, but I don't know how."
Advice on Dogster Answers can be great, but there's no substitute for hiring a behaviorist or trainer who specializes in fearful dogs. Nobody here will truly be able to help the way someone who is able to take a walk with you and your dog can.
I speak from experience when I say that just one or two sessions with a trainer can really open up your eyes to things you might not have seen. We're often too close to the situation to see every angle and a professional can really cut through to the heart of the issue, often within just a lesson or two. The best part is that you start to alleviate the fear by doing the RIGHT thing for your particular dog. The risk of taking advice from someone who has not met your dog can actually make things worse if the actions you take aren't right for addressing the true problem.
I know that's not an answer to your ? but I hope it helps you out.
I read your question a couple of times.
The one thing I see is the 15 month old. I don't know if you know this but there is a fear stage as they mature. Since this is a very large breed I may suspect this is just a stage right now. Positive experiences will do this pup the best.
That would be not letting older dogs dominate him or having people display negative reactions, or behaviors as well.
The 5 yr. old. She is a non aggressive dog that is submissive in nature, it is not her nature to start a fight or be dominant, this is a good thing. And frankly, I would be very upset if other people's dogs were biting her. If I were you I would be going to more friendly places to walk. They both are I think are trying to tell you by body language the places you are going are making them fearful. I am not trying to be mean that is what I am impressed by your question. I hope this helps you.
First of all walking your dogs does not constitute good socialization. I commend you on doing it five days a week however.
What you should do (and please consult a professional in your area for help if you need it). Get a clicker, take each dog out individually, choose a quiet part of the park and sit on a bench. DO NOT talk to or pet your dog. When a stranger walks past and your dog acts calmly to the passing stranger click and reward with a treat. If at any point your dog becomes too aggressive (i.e growling, lunging) get up calmly but swiftly with out a sound and simply walk away from the stranger. Praise your dog quietly only when he is calm. Return to the bench on a different day. You may want to start with friends because they will at least know that you are training. You can use the same principle with your older girl just in her case you will click and treat for her confidence around other dogs and again you may want to start with handlers and dogs you already know.
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