Hello! I have a 14 week old Border Collie/Husky mix - we've had him since he was 7 weeks old. Starting at 8 weeks we has been attending a social class and puppy obedience class. He was a little shy when he first started going to the social classes, but after about 2 he realized how much fun he could be having and starting playing and running around with the other dogs. Since then he's been great with other dogs, always wanting to meet them and really friendly.

Just the past few days he's been extremely scared of other dogs on our walks. There's been three instances where he has been trying to run away or trying to get out of his collar just to get away, and when that doesn't work the hair on his back stands up. All three times have been dogs much smaller than him, none of the dogs have been aggressive or really shown too much interest in him. I'm just wondering what I can do about this? I've just been trying to get his attention and telling him "this way" to get him out of the situation, I'm obviously not going to scold him for being scared but I also don't want to coddle him and show him it's okay to act like that.

And just to note he's never shown aggression except for those three times (and even then he just had his hair up). I'm just worried that it will escalate further if I don't correct it properly.

I'm planning on asking the trainers when we go to the social class tomorrow about it, but more feedback would be much appreciated.

Thank you!

Has Dallas's classes been with all breeds? It sounds like he is not sure of smaller dogs, and he needs more socialization time with smaller dogs. I do know that hair standing up is a sign of aggression, but in this instance and quite often it is misunderstood as aggression, it really means being fearful or excited, unsure. Confidence building and more socializing I think will clear that up. I also feel, imho, that when you walk, teaching him to have full focus on you is important, for many different types of scenarios. so I don't believe you are doing anything wrong, in diverting his attention to you, and going the other way. You are very smart in not scolding him, as well as not coddling him. The focus on you is, again imho, the best way to handle it, and the best way to train.

Btw, Amber, Dallas is even more of a cutie as he is growing!!!!!!