Rene,

As you know, it's not WR's fault.  It was the horrible 1st people that had him.  Keep reminding yourself that and it helps. 

I have hardly been able to have people at my house for years!   It's been awful.   Comet has never ever bitten anyone but she rushes them and barks.  It scares the daylights out of me!  And then Rugby would be so social that he would jump on everyone and scream!  I had it tough.  I was so worried that Rugby would knock someone over and Comet would bite them! I would have to crate them and then practically hand out ear plugs from the barking!   My neighbor friends won't even knock on my front door because they know how bad it was for me trying to answer the door.  It's embarrassing to say the least!

I bet Wyatt is like Comet when you are alone; precious acting!   Comet is a doll and so darned cute with loads of personality.  But  no one gets to see it except in video!

Something I learned recently with Comet because of all of her ailments is, the more she is around people, the better she is.  She has seen so many doctors of late and now techs & vets can touch her with ease!  Typically it takes about a week of being around Comet before you can touch her.  And even when you can, she nervous.

We had a major breakthrough today while she was at physical therapy --she kissed the tech on the lips while she was massaging her!   Not once, but twice!!!!!!!!!!!!  My husband took her, so I didn't witness it.  But she has never done that with anyone but my husband and I!  This was the 4th therapy session.

So, my point is...don't fall prey to being anti-social yourself because it's easier to avoid company with an emotionally insecure dog.  He'll get used to it eventually.   Another social dog will help a lot, too.

So, keep up the good work with him!  It's hard but you may have the social dog you want with time.  

Hahahahahahahaha, Debra!  I know!  It is funny NOW! 

The most funny story...

My neighbor (before they knew of my "situation") rang my doorbell AND knocked.  As I tried to open the door, Comet rushed the door and accidentally caught a tooth on my hand.  At the same time Rugby jumped and pushed the front door closed with his paws while my head was out and banged my head into the door!   I finally got outside and I had blood on my hand and a knot on my head!  My neighbor was stunned at the chaos!

Rene,

I'm far from being a good pawrent!  I didn't do anything right and know it now.  I should have forced Comet to be in situations instead I protecting her.  BUT it's payback!!!!  I used to get so mad at my mom for doing the same with my brother!  He was born with spinal bifida and she didn't let him do anything growing up.  He was insecure in uncomfortable situations because she protected him. 

And here I did all with Comet!  So, what comes around, goes around. 

Rene,

I so know where you are are coming from with Wyatt. We adopted Duke in early May, and it has been a struggle for us every day. I love pitbulls and I love him, but he isn't Trouble and no amount of love will make him like her, or able to take her place when she is gone.  Trouble loves people - all people.  Duke loves people outside of the home setting. He is much like Comet if the people are on his home turf or even walking on the street in front of the house.  The barking and lunging are insane, and distracting him is an impossibility. He is slowly getting better, but I think he will need a behaviorist before he lets loose of the guarding demon.

We also don't invite folks to the house because he is such a handfull.  The routine is to either take him out to greet them (on leash of course) or shut him in the bedroom until they are in the house and settled.  If he is in the bedroom, we leash him and bring him out.  He is slowly allowed to greet them after he displays he can behave.  We have them feed him a treat or two to help warm him up.  After a little while, he can be taken off leash and he will lay down and be calm.

He loves the vet techs, but must be muzzled if they need to do anything to him.  He has to be anesthesized to have his nails clipped. There have been episodes of him growling at us - he doesn't want his feet touched, doesn't want to be physically moved, doesn't want you to physically restrain him.  After one round of him growling at Bob for touching his dew claw, we considered having him euthanized.  We didn't want to take a chance with a human aggressive dog.  A trainer told me something that saved his life.  "He warned you four times and didn't bite, had he wanted to bite you'd have been bit. He isn't human aggressive, he is a dog with boundries, you have to learn to live within those boundries, and train and work with him until he is desensitized."

Not two weeks after the debate about euthanizing him, some little switch went on and he started acting like he 'belonged'.  He began to show genuine affection to us.  We are still guarded in our expectations, but understand now he came to us with baggage, and we have no way to know what or why he acts (or reacts) the way he does.

He loves Trouble and respects her as the alpha member of their duo.  He is obedient and has manners.  He is trustworthy to be left in the house alone. We fight every day to make him a less volitile dog. 

Hang in there Rene, you will get there.  Wyatt will become socially acceptable at some pointl  It sounds like he is just young and easily excitable. I think there are challenges with some rescues/adoptees that only time will heal.  He may have some of that going on as well.  They bring their demons with them, we have to show them enough love (and training) to be able to leave them behind.