[Frisco's Mom]

Hi all, I'm new here!

After losing our beloved pit bull Babe 6 months ago at the age of 16, we finally adopted a puppy from our local pit bull rescue.

Frisco is 12 weeks old and is a pit bull mix. The "mix" part is unknown. Maybe Lab, we're not sure.

Anyway, Frisco's story is that some guy's female pit bull got pregnant by accident and the jerk was taking the litter to the shelter. A kid found out, and took one of the puppies home, begging his mom to keep him. Mom said no, and looked for another home. Her mother (kid's grandmother) said she'd take him, but with her existing three dogs, decided it was too much and gave him back to the kid and his mom. Then they contacted the rescue, who took him at 9 weeks and placed him in a wonderful foster home until we adopted him three weeks later. So....this is FIVE homes in three months for this pup.

Frisco is a model puppy in most ways. Housetrained, crate-trained, already knows sit and will plant his butt whenever asked, and even when not asked, if he wants something. Not dominant at all. We can put our hands in his food dish, take things out of his mouth, etc. He readily except being rolled onto his back and held there. He is great with our cat (the foster home had cats and four other dogs that he played with) and is just a great dog all around, except for one thing, that may or may not be a red flag.

He seems timid at times. Not shaking-in-fear timid, but just a little shy around new people and takes a little while to warm up to them and want to play with them. This isn't such a big deal. The main problem is that while he loves me (I'm home with him all the time) and my husband, he seems to forget who my husband is if he leaves the house for work or whatever, and then returns home. My husband is greeted by fearful barking. Frisco also tries to hide behind me while still barking like mad at my husband during these times. Each time, in just a few minutes, it's like Frisco remembers who my husband is and all is wonderful again, and he's bringing my husband his toys and acting like his old self. Another weird thing we noticed when we first got him is that if my husband was sitting on the couch, the pup would be all over him, playful and loving. When he would stand up though, the pup would get kinda scared of him and keep his distance. Like he was intimidated. He doesn't do that with me at all. If he was ever abused by a man, it had to have happend at 8 weeks old or less.

We only got him last Thursday night (four days ago). That first night, when I went to take a shower and get ready for bed, I left him in the den with my husband and when I came back out 30 minutes later, he barked at ME like he didn't recongnize me. He got over it within seconds though, and he hasn't done it with me since - probably because I'm home with him almost constantly and he is more familiar with me now due to all of time we spend together.

It is just weird that he seems to forget who my husband is, even if he leaves just for an hour or two. And the fear-barking stuff has me worried. I do not want a fear-aggressive dog - and he will be about 70 lbs grown up.

Given his history, is this normal puppy behavior and will he get over it with time? Or do we need to start taking some steps or consider returning him? We are so very attached, even after four days. The little guy is smart as a whip and is a big snuggler (with both of us) and is just a great dog other than the weird thing about not recognizing my husband and barking at him when he comes home. My husband gets so saddened and worried about this behavior. My heart says that we've only had him four days and he needs time to adjust. I hope that's all it is.

Thanks for any words of wisdom!

Jennifer and Frisco (pic attached)

[Deafdogsrule]

K, first-off, THAT IS ONE ADORABLE PUPPY!!!!!!!! He's so cute, I want him! LOL

He may very well have some fear issues, and with having so many strangers in his life, it's quite likely. but I must ask this question: how's his vision?

I am a clicker trainer, and clicker training is extremely useful in these type of situations. Have Hubby (or whomever is away) keep high value treats handy, like cut up hot dogs or really smelly dog treats (maybe in the car or mailbox) and the person who is home needs to know when the long lost family member is to arrive. for ease of typing I'll just say hubby for the person away, and you for the person at home.

Put Frisco on a leash shortly before hubby arrives. Get out the clicker and treats. do some calm exercizes, like sit, down, eye contact, just to get the pup focused. when hubby walks in, have him walk right past you, while giving the pup no eye contact. have him drop treats near the pup as he goes past. let the pup follow him, while hubby drops treats in his wake. you are all but ignoring the pup at this point. once the pup recognizes hubby, have hubby ask for a sit, take off the leash, then great the pup.

Your pup needs to learn that strangers coming in the front door is ok. soon, he'll associate the sound of the key in the lock with yummy things. you can begin having company come over and do the same.

Frisco is young and unsettled, keeping things totally positive will help him to learn that people=great things! It wont take him long!

[Frisco's Mom]

Thanks Sara! Re: Frisco's eyesight...well, he can spot a ball from a mile away so I don't think his sight is an issue. Thanks for the compliments on him too. We think he is the cutest thing ever.

Before I got your response last night, I had Will (my husband) call me just before he got home. I left the house, and left some yummy bits of porkchop outside the door for Will to give him when he came in the door. I left because I wanted to see if Frisco would act the same way without me being here with him. So, Will got home, walked in, and Frisco barked at him as usual. Will then lured him with the pork chop treats, which Frisco took from him. Then Frisco ran back to the bedroom and stayed there for a few minutes. Will didn't follow him or try to win him over - he just did his thing out in the kitchen, going through the mail, acting normal. After a few minutes, Frisco crept out, snuck up behind Will, sniffed his pants, and then ran back into the bedroom. I came back home at that point and Will told me that Frisco was hiding in the bedroom. Frisco had no idea that I was home now too. Then Will went back to the bedroom, sat on the edge of the bed and Frisco came over to him, and within a minute, was fine and happy and playful with Will. Weirdo. They came out of the bedroom together, with Frisco acting normal, and that's when Frisco saw me and went wild with happiness. lol All was well the rest of the night.

This morning, Will forgot something and had to return home from work after being gone only about 2 hours. This time, I met Will out front and brought some small pieces of turkey sausage with me. I gave them to Will to give to Frisco. We walked in together, with Will entering in front of me. Frisco greeted him just fine with a wagging tail and acting excited. Will asked him to sit, and he did, so Will gave him the sausage pieces. Frisco acted just fine. I think it was because a) Will was gone for a shorter period this time, and b) I walked in with him, maybe telling Frisco that he was okay because Will was "with me". ??

We'll see what happens tonight when Will comes home from work. We will try what you suggested if he reverts back to the fearful behavior.

Thanks!!
Jennifer and Frisco