Scooby is scared of men

Question
I adopted an 8mo old min pin a week ago. He is very sweet and pretty well behaved for a puppy except when my boyfriend met him 2 days after I got him. He barks nonstop and growls...he doesn't bare his teeth or go after him hes just really scared and he runs to hide in a corner or under anything he can fit. I have had Mike leave his tshirt hes worn all day at my house and have Scooby sleep on it and when i hold him I have it on my chest for him to smell. Any ideas for how to get him to trust my boyfriend? the foster mom says that he never acted that way with her husband and I am worried he may never love him. He lets Mike lay with him and pet him, but as soon as he stands up hes barking and he hides in a corner.I have Mike feed him treats and food but I'm wondering if there is anything else i can do. He acts like this with all men-I took him by myself to Petsmart and he was so nervous he puked in the cart bc he was too afraid to walk and then hid under a shelf and would not come out while we were alone in an isle. he is being enrolled in doggy day care on monday to help socialize him and get some training front he owner.

Answer
This breed of terrier is often a one person dog. My brother-in-law has one and the dog has the same issue. When I come around with my wife the dog runs to the corner and barks at me. once in a while it will settle down and take a treat from me if I sit on the floor, but not if I am standing. My brother-in-law thinks its funny, you recognize that it is an issue to deal with.

You are doig the righ tactions, training, and socialization. Using the shirt was also a good idea. The dog is small and sees the standing person as a major threat because of the size difference. It may also have had a traumatic experience with a man previous owners may not have wanted to reveal.

There is one method that may seem odd but works most of the itme is to use oven mits. Get the dogs scent on a pair of oven mits and then have your boyfriend wear the mits when the dog is around. Have your friend sit on the floor with the mits on and encourage the dog to approach using a favorite toy. The dog smells its own scent and becomes less concerned with the man smell and the toy is also holding the dogs own scent. Move on to trying to get the dog to sit or lie down nect to your friend where he can pet the dog with the oven mit. He needs to be very slow and gentle with the dog and speak softly. Once the dog gets comfy with him on the floor, start moving higher is steps. if you have steps, to an upstairs, sit on the first step, then on a chair, etc.  If the dog begins to bark and cary on, go back to the last level for a while and try again. This likely will take several weeks.

Have your boy friend feed the dog and if possible potty walk the dog.

Fears and fobias take a while to overcome so be patient.

Regards,
Henry Ruhwiedel
Westwind Kennels LLC
www.dogkennel.org