Blake-(SP) wrote:
Thunder seems to only be following my mom around and is practically everywhere she goes. We expected him to do this for everybody, but it seems like he doesn't exactly trust my dad. Now we're thinking that Thunder might have been abused or yelled at by an adult male figure in his past. Does anyone have tips on how to help Thunder become more confident with my dad? Thanks ;]
I'm not exactly sure if he's been abused by men, because my dog is the same way around them and we don't live with any men that could've abused her. She's fine with my dad when he comes to visit, but weary of any other man who goes near her.
I think it could be a dominance thing, dogs seem to listen more to men at times, but I swear my brother is invisible to my dog, when he talks to her she acts like she can't see him. Men have deep voices, and most dogs are scared of that. When my dog is in trouble, I talk in a deep voice. Not exactly as deep as a mans because I'm a girl, but deep enough for her to know that she's been bad.
You could have your mom stay by your dad and have your dad call him, and when he reaches your dad, allow him to have a treat, but not boring old milk-bones, try cheese or some form of meat, something the dog would go crazy for. Hot dogs are great because they're cheap and contain the basic ingredients of dog food, so he shouldn't get sick or anything. Since the dog seems to like your mom, you could have both her and your dad giving him praise, and after a while you can try this with your dad alone and your mom in another room. The dog will learn to trust your dad over time, just make sure he doesn't yell around it or anything, or the dog will become more scared of him.
I hope this works, it worked for me and everybody else that I know who's tried it. But it wont happen right away, it takes time and you all have to be patient. Good luck
Thanks for the advice, Outlaw :] I'll be sure to try this out, it seems like it could work ;]
