Help! Dog randomly goes for strangers

[Aimeet86]

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Hi,
I was hoping to get some advice, I have a two year old Yorkie cross who when we are out on walks sometimes growls and tries to nip at people's ankles, I think to get rid of them. It has happened about 7-8 times in the last 18 months. I've noticed they seem to be single people walking towards us with their hands in their pockets. He will only come back to me when I offer a treat which I'm not sure is the best thing to do!
His recall is generally good, I'm a single woman so think he is protective of me but I'm not sure what to do as it happens so infrequently. Any advice welcome thanks

 

[Hemlock]

Pre-empt. You are taller and can see further. When YOU spot a person heading your way, no matter how distant, put your dog back on lead with a super reward, then step between him and the approaching person so that your body shields him, get as big a distance as you can to the side, reward him again as the person passes while leaving no opportunity for the person to get any closer to your dog, when person has passed, reward dog again (tiny rewards but good ones - this is not a kibble moment!) and let your dog off-lead again.

He is not protecting you (sorry) but protecting himself. By doing the above, you show him that you understand his fear and are protecting him. This will gradually reduce his need to protect himself. The behaviour will thus diminish in time (may take quite a while, so don't let up and think it isn't working).

 

[Robins mum]

Hi,
I was hoping to get some advice, I have a two year old Yorkie cross who when we are out on walks sometimes growls and tries to nip at people's ankles, I think to get rid of them. It has happened about 7-8 times in the last 18 months. I've noticed they seem to be single people walking towards us with their hands in their pockets. He will only come back to me when I offer a treat which I'm not sure is the best thing to do!
His recall is generally good, I'm a single woman so think he is protective of me but I'm not sure what to do as it happens so infrequently. Any advice welcome thanks

Hi! THAT is really interesting! I agree with Hemlock on a resolve, but I would also like to add that animals are SUPER SENSATIVE! Perhaps there is a passed memory of something with a person with hands in pockets or just that the dog can sense a bad person! They are able to feel our energy and sometimes people who are fearful of dogs are really easy for the dogs to see through! - OR! .....is it you! have you had an experience that has caused you to perhaps have a worried attitude when seeing a single human approaching with hands in pockets ? Just asking!