New puppy hates husband

Question
QUESTION: We brought home a new puppy a week ago who is a Staffordshire Bull Terrior, she's approx 17 weeks old and seems to be very placid. Our trouble is that she seems very afraid of my husband...she wont come to him, listen to him or let him pat her. He has not mistreated or yelled at her and I'm wondering what we can do so that she and my husband bond.  He's worried that she doesn't like him and wont want anything to do with him in the future either. She starts obedience training next Sunday, do you think this will help and that she will get better with time?  Thankyou for your help.

ANSWER: While it is possible she was mistreated by a man in the past, it is far more likely she simply wasn't exposed to any men early in her life.  The continuing stream of basic questions about breeding by those without a clue here upsets me.  I can't imagine those needing to ask such questions understanding the importance of exposing puppies to a wide variety of people and situations before they are 12 weeks old.  Even many of your better breeders neglect socialization and hold the puppies in the kennel too long.  

Given time she should accept your husband.  The obedience should help.  So will this:

''Elevation for small puppies:  Sit on the floor and gently put your hands around your pup's middle, below his front legs, and lift him up.  He is facing you.  Hold him for 15 seconds.  Repeat until he no longer struggles.  If he is past 10-12 weeks, lift his front feet off the ground, but don't pick him up.  

Cradling for small puppies:  Hold your puppy gently on his back, as you would cradle a small baby.  If he struggles, hold him firmly until he quiets for 10-15 seconds.  With larger pups, you can do this as your sit on the floor, with your pup between your legs.

Quiet lying down:  Place your pup on the floor on his side, with all 4 legs pointing away from you.  Use your hands on his neck/shoulder area and middle, to hold him in this position.  When he is quiet, praise him.  Lengthen the time that you keep him quietly in this position.  When he accepts this position well, handle his paws and muzzle, while keeping him quiet.''

The quotes mean this isn't my original work.  It is copied from my Puppy Raising Manual.  I have long used these or minor variations of them, and they are very effective.  You may want to give him a belly rub while he is on his back too.  Helps bonding.  There is a big difference between him rolling over and demanding a belly rub, and you choosing a time to roll him over and rub his belly.  The latter cements your place as pack leader.

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QUESTION: Thankyou so much for your reply it has helped heaps when I'm around.  However, we are now finding that: when I'm around the dog is just about fine but when I'm not home and my husband is the dog takes off and hides under the bed until I arrive.  He's even tried rewarding her with her favourite treats when she does the right thing and comes when he calls her but to no avail.  Is this situation a lost cause???  Husband is getting quite depressed that his dog is so frightened of him and apparently doesn't want to know him. Thankyou again your help is really appreciated.

Answer
Some of the academic studies are very negative on this.  In practice, with time, she should do better with him.  I think he needs to careful not to force himself on her when you aren't around.  Demonstrate to her that you love and trust him.  Control your stress.  If you let her stress you when he is around, she will blame it on him, confirming he is not to be trusted.  He needs to give her time.  If she feels safer under the bed, let her come out on her own.