**Need advice for having visitors**

arnebchgrl · 01-07-2012, 01:11 PM

Does anyone have issues with their GSD not being comfortable around visitors in their home? By uncomfortable, I guess I mean territorial (fear, maybe?). All of which include barking, lunging, nipping at hands or ankles. If so, what do you do to help your dog see they are welcomed visitors? Also, our GSD will eventually get comfortable if we are sitting at the table or the couch, but the minute someone gets up to use the restroom or move around, she jumps up and starts all over (barking, etc.). Any advice?

Thank you!

Liesje · 01-07-2012, 01:29 PM

If I had a dog that actually lunged and nipped at people I'd never let him near visitors. I'd give him a safe place (a crate or room) with a raw bone. Last thing I'd want is for my dog to feel that defensive in his own home.

arnebchgrl · 01-07-2012, 02:08 PM

We don't think that separating her is really teaching her anything. She is always on a leash with people over, so there's no danger to our visitors.

doggiedad · 01-07-2012, 02:13 PM

how long have you had the dog? i started
teaching my dog to greet when he was a puppy.

arnebchgrl · 01-07-2012, 02:30 PM

We've had her a year. She was a rescue from the pound and came to us pretty shy and unsure of things. We've worked hard with her and now she is confident on walks, loves people outside of our house, enjoys playing with dogs. It's just in our house we have issues.. which is why it is so perplexing.

rustilldown · 01-07-2012, 03:03 PM

Emma just turned a year and is becoming much better at visitors. For Christmas I visited my parents and they had about 15 people over for Christmas eve. I put Emma outside for 30 min or so where she could see in and see all the interaction. I also took a few people outside for her to become accustom to first. When I let her inside she was perfect. Also I tired her out like crazy before hand so she wasn't hyper.

Not sure if you have a door like this but it might help.

We also just moved and have had lots of people coming in to set up different stuff. I leave Emma out but tell everyone from the minute they come in to put your hand out and great her. After she sees I am comfortable, she is great

I don't know if that will work for you due to nipping. You might have your dog in the crate in the same room to view the interaction. After she is calm for 20+ min then let her out, but only if the visitors are comfortable with it.

Good luck!

01-07-2012, 01:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
arnebchgrl New Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 10	Need advice for having visitors Does anyone have issues with their GSD not being comfortable around visitors in their home? By uncomfortable, I guess I mean territorial (fear, maybe?). All of which include barking, lunging, nipping at hands or ankles. If so, what do you do to help your dog see they are welcomed visitors? Also, our GSD will eventually get comfortable if we are sitting at the table or the couch, but the minute someone gets up to use the restroom or move around, she jumps up and starts all over (barking, etc.). Any advice? Thank you!

01-07-2012, 01:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
Liesje Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 12,961	If I had a dog that actually lunged and nipped at people I'd never let him near visitors. I'd give him a safe place (a crate or room) with a raw bone. Last thing I'd want is for my dog to feel that defensive in his own home. __________________ UCH Alta-Tollhaus-Krieger Lamb Chop FO OB1 CL1R CL1F RA TT HIT TDI CGC VPC's Coca-Cola HIT CGC SG UCH Alta-Tollhaus Bono SchH1 AD T1 FO PA CL1R UNJ UCA HIT TT CGC OFA SG Pantalaimon vom Geistwasser BH AD HIT CGC

01-07-2012, 02:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
doggiedad Crowned Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Jenkintown,Pa. Posts: 9,836	how long have you had the dog? i started teaching my dog to greet when he was a puppy. __________________ "Life Without A Dog Is A Life Unfulfilled"

01-07-2012, 02:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
arnebchgrl New Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 10	We don't think that separating her is really teaching her anything. She is always on a leash with people over, so there's no danger to our visitors.

01-07-2012, 02:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
arnebchgrl New Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 10	We've had her a year. She was a rescue from the pound and came to us pretty shy and unsure of things. We've worked hard with her and now she is confident on walks, loves people outside of our house, enjoys playing with dogs. It's just in our house we have issues.. which is why it is so perplexing.

01-07-2012, 03:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
rustilldown Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 60	Emma just turned a year and is becoming much better at visitors. For Christmas I visited my parents and they had about 15 people over for Christmas eve. I put Emma outside for 30 min or so where she could see in and see all the interaction. I also took a few people outside for her to become accustom to first. When I let her inside she was perfect. Also I tired her out like crazy before hand so she wasn't hyper. Not sure if you have a door like this but it might help. We also just moved and have had lots of people coming in to set up different stuff. I leave Emma out but tell everyone from the minute they come in to put your hand out and great her. After she sees I am comfortable, she is great I don't know if that will work for you due to nipping. You might have your dog in the crate in the same room to view the interaction. After she is calm for 20+ min then let her out, but only if the visitors are comfortable with it. Good luck!

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