Overcoming Fear of Mean Ole Men

Eve and Jessie at their new home in North Carolina

Autumn Chandler traveled from North Carolina just to adopt Eve and Jessie from Powell County!  These sweet girls were eager to start their new life with the Chandler family.  But as they settled into their new home, it was discovered that Jessie was struggling with an odd fear; Jessie had a of men.   

"As soon as my husband walked through the door the first day she came home, she started growling at him," Autumn explained.  Autumn hoped that Jessie would eventually warm up to her new adopted dad.  Unfortunately, she continued to show signs of fear when approached.  It became clear that Jessie needed a psychological intervention.         

Jessie (the man hater) has a sweet smile!

A dog's fear of men doesn't necessarily stem from past episodes of abuse.   This fear can also develop from the lack of proper socialization during puppyhood.  To a dog's perspective, a man's physical presence can be quite intimidating.  But with the right approach (and a little patience), the dog can easily conquer this fear. 

First, Autumn and her children had to ignore Jessie.  This is a difficult task for a dog-lover, but it forces the dog to depend on the very person they are fearful of to provide for them.  Autumn said, "A dog won't be able to continue to have those fearful feelings if they have to totally depend on that individual for their livelihood."

Eve is telling to Jessie not to be a scaredy-cat.

This approach also requires encouraging the dog to approach the target of their fear.  This was achieved during feeding time.   Autumn's husband would feed the other dogs first, and then focus on Jessie.   He encouraged Jessie to take a step towards him before she would receive her dinner.   When she approached him, Jessie would receive praise and her reward.  After a couple of feedings, Jessie would run to her new daddy without hesitation.  This association of feeding (which is a form of affection) helps the dog associate good experiences with the subject of their fear.    

FOOD?  Well, maybe this mean ole man ain't so bad.

Walking on a leash is a vital bonding experience for a dog owner.  When done correctly, it develops trust and establishes the owner as a pack leader. Jessie was encouraged with treats to walk on a leash, and eventually had no problem letting her adopted daddy lead her on walks.

During these desensitizing exercises, Autumn took a quick trip to allow Jessie to rehabilitate and learn that "big ole mean men" aren't really all that bad. The training was a success, and now they are a big, happy family.  

"When we returned, my husband and Jessie were best buds. As a matter of fact, he is her favorite now!!"

All better now!

If you are dealing a dog that is fearful of men, remember to not force the dog beyond their comfort zone.   Allow the dog to approach the subject of their fear on their own.   And use treats to encourage the dog's progress.  If the problem persists, you may need to seek help from a dog trainer or behaviorist.