I will try to keep it short. We live in Germany and bought our puppy from another family who bought him from the states. He was just 4 - 4.5 months old when they bought him and found that the children were allergic. We bought him at 6 months.
When we showed up to the house the pup was very welcoming and friendly. We went out to play with him in the yard and to see how our kids and the puppy reacted to each other. Everything was grand.
We brought him home and loved on him and he seemed to fit right in to his role. We took him for a ride to do some errands and this is when I can remember our first experience. A male friend of ours approached us and went to pet our pup. He (the pup) cringed and tried to crawl into the sidewalk. Then he started to urinate. It commonly only occurs with other men than my husband and son. It happens in the house with guest and out in the neighborhood.
We have tried to socialize him by walk with him through the fields (where everyone goes to run, walk, and bike with their dogs) and also through town but is terrified to pass other people on the street.
We are about to move to the United States and am fearful of what might come of our pup after a potentially traumatic airplane ride. I want to improve my pup's confidence as well and prevent any potential decline in his current self esteem. Please help.