sometimes he is "spooky"

[chowNcharge]

Sometimes Rajah (chow mix) growls, hackles raised, barks, and backs up in certain situations. I am thinking it is just because he is scared. I just got him (3-5 months old, had him no even two weeks, i dont know anything about him)

He has been upset about
-kids running and playing wearing heavy snow clothes
-a guy carrying metal poles
-people taking out their trash

when he starts showing agitation I back tell him "no sir" then i back away a few feet and I make him sit and watch them. He sits, he watches them and usually doesnt growl or bark unless he is too close. if he is too close we back away some more. and when he seems calm we go a little closer... then he usually wants to investigate, i let him... then he is fine.

does he sound pretty normal? and am i handling this okay?
after he investigates or meets the person he is then very happy!

 

[Maxy24]

It might just be his age, puppies tend to go through fear stages where they get suspicious. While those will pass it's important nothing traumatic happens during that time or else he may become permanently afraid.

What you are doing sounds okay, you don't have to tell him no, but getting his attention and backing him away, then letting him investigate on his own terms is great. What you might try doing to prevent the barking is to carry treats and start rewarding him as soon as he sees the things that tend to set him off. You'll be rewarding him for looking but keeping his mouth shut, and if you are consistent he'll start getting excited when he sees these triggers because he knows you'll give him treats. This will keep his anxiety level down so he won't feel the need to bark. You can then encourage him to explore the trigger if it's unlikely to scare him. I've been doing this with my dog who is terrified of strangers and now when he sees one on a walk instead of barking his starts wagging his tail and looking back at me because he knows strangers are a cue for treats.