[Johawkes99]

We’ve had our female GSD pup since she was 71/2 weeks old, from an equestrian centre, we had just lost our 13 year old GSD boy and I guess we rushed in and didn’t do our research. Miska is so nervous, we socialised her as soon as we got her - garden centres, shopping centres, we got to at least 100 new people by 12 weeks. She’s been to puppy socialisation sessions (1 hour per week until she was 18 weeks), obedience/behaviour training for 3 terms and now a new obedience class. She has 2 walks per day and weekly visits to a pub and/or coffee shop.

She goes ballistic if we get any visitors to the house - delivery people and any friends/family but outside of her territory she is much better - especially the pub/coffee bar where she is quite relaxed.

When we have visitors she doesn’t stop barking at them, especially men. If we all sit down she sits between myself and my husband and then if anyone moves, she starts barking and chases after them.

I am scared she won’t ever accept guests, I’m trying to train her to go to her mat which she will do and stay but as soon as there’s movement she gets after them.

I am not sure of the best way to deal with visitors when they arrive, I’ve tried meeting them outside (we have a gated property and people ring to come in which starts her barking and watching them drive in) so we go to their car, or the doorstep (on lead), I’ve tried inside with her on lead we greet together, I’ve tried in her pen in the hall but she jumps up, is really distressed and sounds quite aggressive, then once let out just chases after them jumping up and sometimes trying to nip.

She hates lone men, joggers and bikes etc on our walks and would chase them if offlead.

Does anyone have any advice is how and if we can ever get over this?

Many thanks
J

 

[Malibu]

You have to create a good experience out of the situations that are concerning you. She should not have the freedom to act bad for starters. Allowing these situations to be positive with treats to start and then it should become that she wants to please. Sounds like socializing was done so it pretty much sounds like you need to take control with a leash because you can not let her jump up on people or run amuck...

 

[tim_s_adams]

Obedience classes are great, but you have a behavioral problem at home that classes like that are not going to address directly. Your dog may not ever "accept" strangers in your home...it's impossible to tell from a brief description. But she can learn to tolerate them and behave most likely. If you're not sure or not comfortable teaching her to behave appropriately, I suggest hiring a balanced trainer with dog aggression experience to come to your home and help you! And do it now so you're not letting her practice this bad behavior any longer! Good luck!