[LoreenF]

My husband and I just got a 6 month old lab puppy,Apollo, from a breeder out of state last week. He has bonded with me and is very affectionate and loving. For some reason, he is terrified of my husband. Apollo will follow him around but when my husband tries to pet him or turns around, Apollo runs away and hides. He will sometimes bark or growl at my husband and needless to say, my husband is not happy and is ready to send him back! I called the breeder and they suggested that my husband simply talk to Apollo and convince him he wants him here but not to touch him or try to discipline him yet. Does anyone have any other suggestions? I teach and in the fall my husband would take care of him. He can't get Apollo in his crate if Apollo is terrified of him and clearly my husband doesn't want to get bitten. I should mention that Apollo is shy around my dad too. The breeder thought it might be because they both have really deep masculine voices where the breeder is soft spoken.

[cigwyllt]

Sounds like he hasn't been very well socialised doesn't it. By six months you would expect him to have met a wide variety of people and to be accepting of all sorts of voices and sounds.

To start with it would be good for your husband to feed Apollo - he can even feed him by hand. Perhaps he could sit on the floor and, without making eye contact, throw some food in Apollo's direction. When he has eaten that he can throw some more to land a little nearer him and so on until he is dropping the food by his side an Apollo is coming close to him. Then when he is comfortable eating the food on the floor beside your husband you can offer him the bowl to eat from.

Your husband needs to be exceptionally calm and gentle around the dog - if he is frustrated and cross it will simply make the situation worse. This dog has clearly had quite a limited start in life and you and your husband have the opportunity to put things right for him but your husband needs to work with you to build the dog's trust.

To be honest there is very little that you can do - you have bonded with Apollo and he trusts you. If your husband wants that same relationship with him he will have to do the same work that you have done. If he isn't prepared to work with him and to be patient and calm then there is very little chance of Apollo ever trusting him.