My GSD puppy barks at strangers, then runs. How to build confidence?

If you are seeking a dog specifically to bark at strangers, your best bet would be not to introduce him to others outside of your immediate family. If you allow him to mingle with lots of other animals and people, he will likely become a well adjusted dog that gets along with most people. German Shepherds are definitely known for their protectiveness, especially towards their family and property. Unfortunately they are also known for their neurotic behavior and destructiveness when not given an appropriate job. Because of their high level of intelligence, German Shepherds tend to do better when they have a purpose. Oscar might benefit from some training in some type of dog related activity. German Shepherds are known for their acumen in Schutzhund. I would suggest you watch some videos online about this, and see if it is something you are interested in pursuing with your dog.

German Shepherd Dogs are one of the guarding breeds, but Bruno should only go into protection mode when there is an actual threat to you. A benign stranger passing by is most likely not a threat. He needs some training in leash walking and ignoring non-threats. I would enroll him in a good obedience class as soon as possible. I would not recommend your getting another puppy until you have Bruno under control.

It sounds like Noble is not very comfortable interacting with strangers at this stage, so I would stop allowing people to pet him. Instead, you can stand at a distance and just observe people - praise and reward with a treat every time he sees someone walk by. This way, he can learn to associate good things with seeing people, and will also learn that he won't be forced to interact if he doesn't want to. Later on, as he gets more comfortable, he can say hello to certain people if he offers to approach them himself.

It may be due to the fact that Daisy is getting older. It could also be due to a fearful experience with a stranger and now Daisy thinks that will happen again. Most German Shepherds are not known to be overly friendly like a Labrador. Most German Shepherds are somewhat disinterested or even wary of strangers or individuals who do not have close contact with them. You can try to keep her behavior towards strangers more eager or positive by asking them to give her a high value treat (when appropriate obviously). A training class is an excellent opportunity for this. You should also do some reading about the breed as you may get some very valuable information. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Socialization is key, and that means exposure to everything! Make it a fun game and every time your dog hears or sees something new, praise them and give them a treat when they show interest in it. If he's too scared, move him to a distance where he isn't as startled, and then treat and praise from there until he is more comfortable. If he's very scared, or runs away, taking a break and trying again later is best, as you don't want to force him into it and then turn it into something bad instead of something good. Since Tobi is so young, everything is probably very scary and new right now, and a lot of this will get better with time and practice. I also highly recommend a puppy kindergarten class once he is old enough and vaccinated so that you can practice learning together in a structured environment.

That is a very young age to get a puppy and take it from its mother, which can affect socialization some. I highly recommend enrolling in a puppy kindergarten class together once Jerry is old enough to ensure you both set some ground rules, learn how to communicate with each other, socialize with other puppies, and get started on some basic obedience. It is normal for puppies to bark and be active, but if she is being aggressive, growling, snarling, etc, it is also a good idea to speak with a trainer or behaviorist in your area as this is not normal behavior. A trainer can work with you in person to help make sure Jerry is feeling comfortable instead of fearful, and that you both learn how to work together.

Check out this fantastic website that has tons of free information about how to help socialize your dog and correct unwanted behaviors. This is Dr. Ian Dunbar's site, and he is a very respected veterinarian, dog behaviorist, and dog trainer. dogstardaily.com. Good luck!