AB Fear Stage

Hello all I don't know if this has been discussed I haven't been able to find it so bare with me please. I have a, soon to be 10 month old American Bulldog and I was wondering, approximately when do they get out of the fear stage? He'll be 10 months on March 11th and when we go on walks the head is CONSTANTLY moving. If he sees something in front the ears will go up as if interested but ANY sound from behind freaks him out. Finally, today while walking he noticed a big rock behind a gate and he jumped back then a car drove down the street kinda loudly and REALLY shocked him, he jumped and his tail went between his legs. The rock was in someone's yard but the gate was open so I touched the rock and said it's okay and he was fine then he tried to go towards their tree and I took him and we continued the walk. Hope this explains enough and not TOO long-winded LOL. Thanks

[quote1299384382=ABBB] Camper, From my experience with bulldogs two years is usually the age the fear goes out and the courage kicks in. On a side note and related, a dog will look to you as the owner to understand the world around him. When a car goes loudly down the block act as if nothing out of the ordinary happened and just keep walking. The same thing with any loud noises. When there is thunder act like nothing and your dog will adjust to thinking there is nothing wrong. Expose your dog to as many different situations that you can while he is a pup so when he is an adult he will be able to decipher friend from and foe. [/quote1299384382] WOW 2-3 years didin't expect that. I also have to say that I have socialized him since I got him EVERYWHERE and he's completed puppy AND intermediate class. I also TRY to walk him without fear and I DO for the most part, chest out sending out positive vibes but at night I ALSO have to be on my guard. Thanks for the feedback though I was concerned that there weren't any American Bulldog enthusiasts on here, it took a few days to hear from anyone. Thanks again

[quote1299384881=gsicard] Acamper, Check out this http://molosserdogs.com/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.3308 and you may find your answers. All the best. Gary [/quote1299384881] Thanks Gary I'm about check out the link now

A stable dog shouldn't be like that. In my opinion, the dog either came from a place that never exposed him to the world OR the dog simply has weak nerves genetically OR both. With rehabilitation (exposure) by a handler that is NOT nervous or anxious about the issue, but one that goes through an environment with confidence and calm reassurance (do not play up on the "its ok" stuff, but passively say "come on" without expressing frustration), one can certainly make improvements in the dog's response. "Monkey see, monkey do."

[quote1299437155=indie] hi Acamper, AB enthusiast here also.. hope we can exchange ideas in raising our AmBulls.. [/quote1299437155] Thanks Indie, I'm quite a newbie this is my first dog of ANY kind, LOL. I'll probably be stealing more information than giving so I WELCOME your input.

[quote1299437407=babigirl] Ignore his responce and keep going about your business like the dog didn't do anything. If you respond and comfort the animal YOU are telling the dog that was the correct behavior. [/quote1299437407] Thanks babigirl and EVERYONE that has offered advice. While walking I NEVER say anything just continue to go about our business, on occasion if he spots someone and his ears go up I'll say good boy and watch em, is this incorrect? I also saw somewhere that if you take them up to what causes the anxiety and touch it and act like there's nothing to it it will help them. I did this with the big boulder behind the gate then took him to closer inspect it, first he went up to it then ignored and tried to go to a tree that was near the rock to mark I said no and we went on, LOL. During day walks I see NO issues and when we pass by gates with barking dogs at night there is NO problem his head is just constantly on a swivel and when we saw the rock he jumped back a bit, recovered then a loud car came by that shocked him. One thing that I constantly look for is his tail going between his legs and that NEVER happens. I know this is a long response but I was actually trying to respond to everyone babigirl. His temperament is pretty steady he's just a pain in the a$$ at home, (stubborn AND hard-headed).

hey, my 15 weeks old girl is 50% AB, so I guess it makes me being a AB enthusiast, at least at 50%...lol I'm sure your boy will be ok.

[quote1299559233=Castanha] hey, my 15 weeks old girl is 50% AB, so I guess it makes me being a AB enthusiast, at least at 50%...lol I'm sure your boy will be ok. [/quote1299559233] LOL, good to hear THANKS