Dog owners can spend hours worrying about their pet's wellbeing, especially when they start displaying concerning behaviours.
While your dog might be calm and comfortable around woman and children, their mood can completely change in the company of men.
This can even happened with men who regularly visit your household - and could be due to them being undersocialised with males.
When owners discover their dog is scared of men, especially their rescue dogs, they often put it down to a bad experience.
Although abused animals can develop a lifelong fear of either gender, in many cases, dogs can simply find men more intimidating due to their usually larger structures, being taller and bigger, and for having deeper voices.
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Having worked with animals for more than 20 years, a licensed veterinary technician has been sharing behaviour and training advice with owners struggling to socialise their dogs with men.
One owner asked the Pet Coach : "We have a rescue dog who is afraid of men. He is fine around women. What kinds of things can my husband do to build trust with our dog?"
The veterinary technician recommends he starts feeding, walking and playing with the dog on a regular basis to build up a positive relationship.
He added: "Speak calmly and softly when addressing the dog. Your husband should also carry small treats in a pocket. He should call the dog and offer a treat when the dog responds. Don't reach over or stand over him if possible.
"Once he is comfortable with your husband, slowly introduce him to another male using the same techniques, then another.
"Calming collars or pheromone sprays may also be effective in easing his anxiety around men. Schedule a consult with a veterinary behaviourist if necessary."
Another concerned owner said: "I would like to have some tips how to have my dog trust men. She is fine with dogs, women, kids, but she doesn't like to be pet by men."
In response, the veterinary technician told her to "slowly acclimate her to one male, then another and another."
He added: "Use praise and small rewards as she progresses. The use of pheromone collars or sprays may help to ease her anxiety."
When asked why an owner's dog barks and growls at men in her home and in public, another veterinarian said the dog could have "dominance issues"
He explained: "Your dog may feel like men are trying to be the leader of his pack and he wants to challenge them - or he may just be afraid of them and showing fear.
"I would socialise him with many men by walking her on a leash and having the man calmly drop a treat in front of him.
"The more different men who do this, the better. Praise him when he is not barking. Then have them come closer and get down on his level and hand him a treat. Go slow with this and don't have them reach to pet his unless he approaches them.
"If you're walking your dog and he starts to bark, get his attention back to you by carrying some treats with you. Stop and have him sit then reward him.
"Ask the man going by if he would toss a treat to him. Sometimes strangers or neighbours, friends and family are willing to help with this."
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