My Pet World: When a loving rescue dog is afraid of strangers

Cathy M. Rosenthal, Tribune Content Agency on Nov 11, 2026

Dear Cathy,

I adopted Bravo six weeks ago, and every day I thank God for him rescuing me after I had to put down my mini Goldendoodle at just 28 months old due to severe epilepsy. (The phenobarbital prescribed caused liver failure.) Then came along Bravo who is constantly by my side, loving me every minute of the day. Bravo was found in the forest preserve with a mangled coat and no ID or microchip and was not neutered. The foster mom said he was timid and shy hiding in the back of his crate. But when he is out of the crate, he barks constantly at anyone walking down the street and he will bite anyone near him, he does not know. Help!

— Gary, Addison, Illinois

Dear Gary,

I'm so sorry about the loss of your Goldendoodle at such a young age. I'm glad Bravo came into your life when he did. It sounds like you both needed each other.

While Bravo has clearly bonded with you, he still seems unsure about the rest of the world. Given his unknown history and timid behavior in foster care, he may be frightened of people he doesn't know.

I'm curious about the shelter or rescue group that placed Bravo with you. Were you told about his barking and biting before adopting him? If they knew about these behaviors and didn't discuss them with you, that's very concerning. Shelters and rescues should never place a dog with a known bite history without discussing the risks and resources needed to manage the behavior safely. Contact the organization and ask what behavioral support they can provide.

Dogs often bark, growl, lunge, or bite when they're afraid. It's their way of saying, "Stay away from me." When people retreat, the dog learns that this behavior works, which can reinforce it.

You've only had Bravo for six weeks, so he's still adjusting to his new home. But time alone won't necessarily resolve his fear, especially if he's already using his teeth to keep people away.

Because you mentioned biting, I strongly recommend working with a certified professional dog trainer or behavior consultant who has experience with fearful dogs and uses positive reinforcement to address these behaviors, as they are likely related. They can help you understand what's triggering Bravo's reactions and develop a training plan that builds his confidence while keeping everyone safe. The goal should be to reduce his barking, address the underlying fear, and most importantly, prevent him from biting anyone.

Until then, don't force Bravo to meet strangers or allow unfamiliar people to approach or pet him. Keep him at a safe distance from others and avoid situations where he might feel threatened. If he barks at people passing your house, close the blinds or use window film to block his view. A trainer can also help you introduce a properly fitted basket muzzle using positive reinforcement as an added safety precaution when around others.

Once you're working with a trainer, you can begin teaching Bravo that seeing unfamiliar people doesn't have to be frightening. The goal is to help him feel more comfortable around others without putting him, or anyone else, at risk.

Dear Cathy,

I discovered your column in the Buffalo News this week. Regarding the reader whose one-year-old Siamese followed her around and tripped her, I'm 68, have owned cats all my life, and have had Siamese cats for 20 years. She seemed new to cat ownership, but you didn't remind her to have her cat spayed. Siamese are very people-oriented, and she should have researched the breed before adopting.

— Siamese Cat Lover, New York

Dear Siamese Cat Lover,

You're right that Siamese cats are known for being affectionate and wanting to stay close to their humans. Sometimes a little too close, especially when you're trying to walk across the room. While researching a breed before adopting is always wise, every cat has its own personality. My mixed-breed gray-and-white cat is more underfoot than any cat I have ever had, including several Siamese mixes. Sometimes, we don't know just how closely a cat will follow us until we are sharing a home with them.

I am a strong advocate for spaying and neutering. Since the reader didn't mention whether her cat was spayed, and it wasn't directly related to her question, I focused on helping her manage the behavior. But thanks to your letter, I have now worked on that important reminder to get this done.

Thanks for writing and sharing your experience with Siamese cats. I always enjoy hearing from readers.

_____

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(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)