Well, it’s simple: dogs also have their ‘personal dramas’. Maybe one saw a man with an intimidating moustache or a woman with too strong a perfume, and has since decided ‘no, thanks’. Possibly that dog had a bad experience with someone of a certain appearance, or maybe he is simply convinced that the male fashion of sandals with socks is not something he can tolerate.
Experiences and Distrust
In many cases, this is not personal (although it may seem so). If a dog has been mistreated by a man or woman in the past, it may develop this distrust. Or, on the other hand, the dog may have that “alpha male syndrome,” as if to say, “I’m in charge here, and I don’t like your team.”
The important thing is that, with a little training, patience, and lots of biscuits (biscuits always help), you can change that attitude. So, if a dog doesn’t like you at first, don’t worry too much. Give him time, and who knows, you may end up being his favourite human!
Personal Stories: Dogs Reacting to Specific Triggers
I have a dog that really disliked when a woman dressed in business/formal clothing came to the house. If the woman was in shorts or casual clothing, there was no problem. She would bark and growl, and it took a while for her to calm down and stop having her hair stand on her back.
She is a rescue dog, so we do not know what her first year or two entailed, but I am willing to bet that a woman dressed nicely may have abused her. But we don’t know.
I also have a client with a male dog that really does not like men. This woman has had the dog since he was a pup, and her husband and son have no issues with the dog. So that is not an abusive situation.
Dogs Have No Filters for Dislike
Unlike us, dogs have no filter to disguise whether they dislike someone. Don’t expect them to smile out of commitment; they make it clear from the start.
However, it’s one thing if they don’t like you and another if they fear you, because the signals are different. While a human might fake it with a tense smile, a dog gets straight to the point: he either ignores you or growls at you.
Of course, they show their fear with their body, as if to say, “I don’t want any trouble, but I’m staying away just in case.” They really know how to be honest.
Fear as the Root Cause
My guess is that some type of fear has entered the dog’s head, and they will show it by barking, growling, running away, or just downright being nasty.
What Can Be Done About It?
Bottom line, we may or may not know what the cause is, so the question is: what to do about it?
Watch for Signs of Fear: Look out for indicators like a tucked tail, showing teeth, or snapping at a person. Dogs are either alpha or submissive—instinctively viewing situations from this perspective, which can differ from human interactions.
Step 1: Find the Trigger
If you can identify the trigger (bald men, men with beards, women dressed formally, women with long or short hair, etc.), expose the dog to this trigger gradually. Start with brief moments and work toward longer ones.
Once the dog is more comfortable, give it extra time to reinforce that the trigger is safe. It may seem strange to you, but it makes sense to the dog.
Step 2: Work Without a Clear Trigger
If no trigger is apparent, bring in as many men or women as possible to spend time with the dog.
How to Help Dogs Overcome Fear
For the person the dog fears:
Stand in a neutral stance.
Bend slightly or turn your back and act as though you’re ignoring them.
Allow the dog to approach on its own without reacting.
When the growling and intensity reduce (which may take several meetings), extend a hand with a treat. Be patient and let the dog decide if you’re worthy of their attention. Avoid sudden movements and maintain calm, slow gestures.
Respect the Dog’s Fear
If the dog doesn’t calm down after 15–20 minutes, give it another try another day