Jedda's 7 months old now, and I thought I had gotten her well socialized - I take her everywhere dogs are allowed, she's met tons of people of all shapes, sizes and ages, and she goes to doggy day care a couple times a week, has had a really good variety of exposures. We're on our 5th obedience class. We go on various hikes/walks twice a day, and she's been on several road trips with all kinds of new experiences continuously since I brought her home. But, is it (hopefully) normal to have a bit of a regression around this age?
I'm already doing some serious work on meet-n-greets with other dogs, since she's had some fear/reactive behavior, sometimes. Lately, though, she's morphing into this nervous wreck on a walk we go on some mornings. We've been going there since she was 9 weeks old, and nothing negative has ever happened, but she'll get hyper-alert and completely ignore me, and forget all semblance of obedience. Honestly, the only thing around us are trees, birds, and bunnies. And she doesn't look like she's having fun checking out the wildlife, she looks terrified. What on earth is going on? When we get out into more of an open area (the arroyo) and I throw her ball, she's normal again.
I took her back tonight to the adjacent park area for just a relaxed hang out armed with treats. There were a lot more people there than at 6 am, but believe me, nothing out of the ordinary for what we've been around. She was nearly as crazed as when we walk. I know socialization is only beneficial when the dog is enjoying it, but I am afraid to just give in to this nervousness and allow her to be fearful when there's nothing to fear. I am at a total loss, anybody have any suggestions? Thanks!
I'm already doing some serious work on meet-n-greets with other dogs, since she's had some fear/reactive behavior, sometimes. Lately, though, she's morphing into this nervous wreck on a walk we go on some mornings. We've been going there since she was 9 weeks old, and nothing negative has ever happened, but she'll get hyper-alert and completely ignore me, and forget all semblance of obedience. Honestly, the only thing around us are trees, birds, and bunnies. And she doesn't look like she's having fun checking out the wildlife, she looks terrified. What on earth is going on? When we get out into more of an open area (the arroyo) and I throw her ball, she's normal again.
I took her back tonight to the adjacent park area for just a relaxed hang out armed with treats. There were a lot more people there than at 6 am, but believe me, nothing out of the ordinary for what we've been around. She was nearly as crazed as when we walk. I know socialization is only beneficial when the dog is enjoying it, but I am afraid to just give in to this nervousness and allow her to be fearful when there's nothing to fear. I am at a total loss, anybody have any suggestions? Thanks!