behaviour problem with cocker

Question
QUESTION: I have a 10 mos old male, neutered cocker. We got him at 6 mos old. He is afraid of all new people that he meets, whether we go to there place or if they come over. If I do not have him on a leash he runs from them and me and barks and barks and I can't catch him and he won't come to me until they leave.  He is mostly afraid of men. He is good with my husband. Our main problem is his barking at people and being afraid when they come to the house, like he's going to get beat, he pees himself and hides behind me if he's on a leash and growls. He also will bark at home for no reason and he will not stop when we tell him to, he keeps at it for awhile. Like yesterday the door opened in the wind and he freaked out, he thought someone was out there and I couldn't get him to calm down, it took awhile. I would just like a calm peaceful dog. Any suggestions would be great. Thankyou

ANSWER: Okay, you got him at 6 months...where was he all that time?

Can this be solved?  Absolutely yes.

So my first question is this.  You're out - he's on leash - a stranger approaches.  What do you do?  Give me the whole scenario in detail.

I ask because your attitude and response when he's afraid is very important.  And what commands does he know?

And you NEVER have a young, untrained dog off leash.  Never.
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: answer to your first question, is he was at the breeders house the whole time before I got him, she told me he had been socialized. I talked to her a week ago and come to find out she lives way out of town on five acres, the dogs didn't really see strangers, only saw her, her husband and the grandkids, he was an outside dog only, now he is an inside dog outside to potty and play when we are out.
When a stranger approaches and he's on leash and choke chain he trys to stop and hide, I keep pulling him along and say come on lets go, come, lets go and keep walking, if I don't know them. When someone comes to house and he's on the leash he doesn't want to come with me, I do the same thing, "come on let's go and pull him along and he hides behind my legs, I talk to the person, and he sits there quitely hiding behind me and sometimes growls, when he growls or barks at the person, I give him a yank and say no growl, or no bark and then continue talking to the person. Sometimes the person pets him and he just cowers and trys to get away especially if it is a man!!


ANSWER: Okay.  I want you to stop pulling him along and instead command him to "Sit".  No other chat and be matter of fact.  When the stranger passes THEN you say "let's go".

And in the house don't force it.  Tell guests to totally ignore him - no chat, no eye contact...just let him be.  In fact, if he does approach, calmly herd him back and tell him to Stay. (Dogs are curious so make that work for you).

Also, the worst thing you can do with an anxious dog is comfort, soothe, etc.  The message they get is there IS something to be worried about.  So keep calm and understand this will take time and patience

So on walks..work with what he does..he wants to stop..then let him stop but command him to Sit.  Ask people not to try and pet him
at this point.

This was an outside dog in a very isolated environment and for the breeder to say he was socialized is total nonsense. And that he's especially afraid of men is very telling.

And unless he's a bad puller, I wouldn't use a choke chain.  Get him a harness.

Our recent Rescue was much the same.  Very anxious - afraid of men - and had terrible separation anxiety.  Now he's a happy, stable boy.

So try a different tactic on walks and at home and let me know how that works out.  Poor little guy.  Is he more relaxed at home alone with you and your family?  Is he okay when you leave him alone?
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: In the house when I have a guest over, if I don't have him on a leash he runs around cowering behind things barking and growling, the only way I can prevent him from doing that is with a leash on him.  So he can't run, he knows when he's free from it. I can't even catch him if someone is over. I will get a harness.  
He is very relaxed here at home when it is just our family! He acts like a normal happy dog and plays. I have to crate him when I leave him alone or he digs at my doors and potties on the floor.

Answer
You have your answer :)   Have him on leash.  Ask guests to totally ignore him - no chat - no eye contact.  Keep him with you and do NOT even let him approach guests initially.  Dogs are curious and he'll want to - no - after awhile provide guests with a treat for him.
Let him learn that guests mean "good stuff" and he's not allowed to approach them until given permission.

How long do you crate him for?  If it's more than a couple of hours I wouldn't advise it.

Have you tried the "Sit" on walks?  How long are his walks?  He needs a minimum of an hour a day.  A tired dog is a good dog. :)
Delores