I have a male entire Ridgeback, just turned two years old, and he is 99% of the time an absolute delight, lots of fun and full of mischief, life is never boring. He is usually great with people, has never been a people dog as such, much more interested in dogs, but is very friendly and affectionate with his family, just doesnt bother with people outside, will quite happiy just walk past them. If someone comes over to see him he is very friendly and will wag his tail for a minute or so, then walk off. Have never had a problem until now, my younger sister has a new boyfriend, hes nice, very quiet boy of 18, but for some reason my dog doesnt like him? When he first entered the house he actually growled, now, nothing about the boy was unusual, ie wasnt wearing a hat, or anything "different". Now, anytime hes in the house I have to remove my boy from the room, as he literally sits and will growl quietly if the boyfriend speaks or goes towards him. I have tried rewarding him when hes quiet, I've even got the boyfriend to feed him liver cake over a baby gate, he took it well, sat, gave a paw etc, then growled as soon as it was finished?
I've never seen him like this with anyone else, he goes to training classes weekly, where people comment on how well behaved he is for a ridgeback, and I show him and hes never had a problem with any judge going over him, wags his tail when they approach?
The boy has 2 small dogs, and isnt fearful of him, he is quietly spoken. Anyone any advice? I'm really upset seeing him like this, and quite embarrassed at his behaviour. The boyfriend has bee coming up about a fortnight now, and its no better. Thanks.

I tend to trust my dogs judgement re people and would wonder why my normally friendly dog distrusts this lad, though I have found quite a few dogs are uncomfortable/suspicious of adolescent male humans, might be the extra testosterone.  How has he been with other young men of this age group?

I did think this, but hes usually fine. My brother is 17 and has friends up a lot, some talk to the dogs and others ignore them (I also have 2 male GSDS in house aged 6 and 7 who are fine) My boy will bark when people come up the driveway and is quite protective of me, but usually once they are in house and he realises I know them he says hello and then goes back to his bed. The boyfriend seems genuinally nice, very well mannered, and well spoken, certainly not a "ned" or similar.

I agree with Barbara....I'd generally trust my dog if it's trustworthy.

Seems strange but if you are totally in tune with this dog then listen to him - my 'special' dogs have, over the years, given me good advice :-)

Meanwhile dont test your dog with this lad, keep them apart just in case your dog decides to act.

He sounds like a well behaved balanced dog. Maybe the young lad is giving off a scent that your dog has once had a bad experience with? Or maybe he just see's the lad as a threat in his territory. Brainless has made a good point that she would trust her dogs judgement, I would too if the situation arose. 

> Meanwhile dont test your dog with this lad, keep them apart just in case your dog decides to act.

This is what ive been doing past few days, makes me sad to have to remove him from a room, but it isnt worth it. Quite upsetting, have never seen him like this before. I wondered whether to try and introduce them outside on a walk? Keep my boy on lead and headcollar and go for a long walk.
I did briefly wonder if it was an adolesence thing with my boy, the barking at the door has only started last few months, and hes generally acting more mature these last few months, taking more notice of bitches etc?

This is a very interesting thread for me as I've recently brought an adolesent male dog into the house and he loves the entire family except for my adolesent male son! He appears very frightened of him, hiding behind chairs and growling. :( My son isn't intimidating in any way and has always had dogs around him - although the only one he has ever really bonded with is Zaska. My son is 15 and isn't in the house as much as the rest of us so I was thinking it may be that he carries lots of different smells with him when he comes home? We've had several walks together and the dog will come to my son when called and walk ok on a lead for him but he's always looking to me for reassurance, and as soon as we're home again the growling starts over.

So far I'm supervising them at all times and not pandering or reassuring the dog as I think it might reinforce that there's something to be timid about.

Will read replies with interest.

> Maybe the young lad is giving off a scent that your dog has once had a bad experience with?

I wonder this too.  When I was working for a dog groomer some dogs took instant dislikes to people for no noticable reason.  One little teacup poodle called 'Sid Vicious' detested me from first sight.  I remember the first time he was booked in whilst still in his owners arms he was snarling and barking at me from across the room.  After some months he would let me brush his front end but never trusted me enough to turn his back on me.  I remember feeling quite embarrassed. One of our yorkies was the same with a friend of the owner who came in to help over Xmas week and she was a lovely gentle lady and experienced with dogs.

Some dogs would bark through the shop door at just certain races who were walking past in the street.

I did wonder if it could be such stuff as looking like other people they knew and didn't like or even wearing a deoderant they didn't like! 

> Maybe the young lad is giving off a scent that your dog has once had a bad experience with?

Sometimes this is the case, but you will probably never know what it is. My 7 year old male hates my neighbours brother with a vengeance, but my girls all adore him. We have narrowed it down and believe we THINK we know why he hates Douglas, but it just guesswork. It's far easier to keep him away (the dog ;-) ) Douglas is in his 40's and is the gentlest of men, willing to do anything to help out. It's so confusing trying to understand what goes through a dogs mind.

> My 7 year old male hates my neighbours brother with a vengeance

Thanks for all replies, has given me some reassurance, am just so worried its something I've done wrong, or missed somehow. LindyLou, has your boy always been like this with your neighbours brother? Has he improved or worsened as hes gotten older?

maybe its not so much  smell but the sound of his voice...my dogs are fine with my brother in law but as soon as he speaks they all come and sit around me and look terrified ...:(

Unfortunately he has always disliked him. Yet Henry (Douglas's brother) is so adored he is almost idolised ;-)

There is no change in my boys behaviour. He barks and backs off from him. I've tried to introduce them both off and on the premises, to no avail. It's something we will have to live with, I'm afraid. Douglas is the only person he is like this with, though he was unsure about a different neighbours grandson until he sat down. My boy was then all over him, using him as a cushion :-D

Could it be jealousy of the attention the new boyfriend is getting?  You could also try ignoring the behaviour and getting ONLY the boyfriend to give treats/rewards when being calm - not necessarily friendly - and under supervision.

> Could it be jealousy of the attention the new boyfriend is getting?

Dont think so, its my sisters boyfriend, not mine, and to be honest, he generally comes in, says hi, and they head into her room to watch dvds, or he simply comes in to collect her before going to cinema/drinks etc. Tried the treats thing, and he was happy to take them form him (over a baby gate) and as soon as finished growled immediately. Is still doing it, for the moment we are simply keeping him away from the boyfriend, and distracting him when the boy comes in the door. He isnt as bad when I'm there, but if its my mum or dad in (if im still at work) then hes growling a lot, not sure if this is because its only really me he listens to?

>not sure if this is because its only really me he listens to?
Could he be protecting your sister whilst you're out?  As others have said, dogs can be pretty good judges of character, and when you're not there he's trying to do your job, Bless. Got to say it's not good for either of you though, if you can't trust your dog with all sorts of people.  As I've said in another post, I've learned the hard way about allowing protective behaviour.  It's just not acceptable in today's society and it's always the dog that suffers.  I'm not saying your doing that you seem to be trying lots of methods, do keep it up, especially if the boyfriend could be around for a while.  maybe he could do a bit of walking and/or training with him as well.  just another thought, maybe your dog doesn't like the fact that when the boyfriend arrives he takes your sister away - to the bedroom or out.  Perhaps if they could stay around downstairs for a little while your dog wouldn't associate him arriving with your sister disappearing.

Hi Suz,
First; Your boy is, from your description of him in this post, and from what I remember from before, a typical
Ridgeback. He is loving towards his family, aloof but friendly when approached by strangers in the street.
He'll let a judge feel him over, although it's an intrusion on privacy for a RR.
I'd be very pleased with him, he's exactly what you wish for temperament wise.

What you describe in this post isn't too unusul. Your young boy is detecting something he does not like in your sister's new boyfriend.
I'd respect my boy's feelings, if he were my dog. I've learnt to trust my dogs' instincts by now.
The new B.F. seems to have two dogs of his own. Another male? Or an elderly bitch? Could be as easy as your
dog smelling his dogs, and not liking what se "reads". Or, he feels something you can't see or notice in the behaviour
of this young man.
Don't force your boy to interact. Respect his dislike, remove him from the room, and keep him out of the way
when the young man visits.
It's you who decide who's welcome to visit. Not your boy. But he is still entiteled to his opinion ;-)

Thanks very much, a very informative post RRfriend! Has made me feel a little bit better. Think I just have to accept that he dislikes this boy, and will of course keep him away from him at all times. I may try going for a walk with him, and keep my boy on lead at all times. He is very much a typical Ridgeback, dotes on me, loves my immediate family and friends, and will accept people from outside, not with much enthusiasm, but will allow a pet and gives them a tail wag and goes away and lies back down. He has an incredible memory too, just a few days ago a friend came round, who he hasnt seen since the summer, but liked a lot, and as soon as he came in, he was so happy to see him, jumping about and whining excited! Seems once he decides your a friend then thats him for life.

"Seems once he decides your a friend then thats him for life. "

Exactly! That's one of the reasons I like RR so much.
They don't give their affection to just anyone.
But when it's finally given, it's for real, and it lasts!