I’m not sure if this counts as aggression but boy am I getting frustrated. My 8 month old Carmen was socialized to the best of our ability when we got her but it was mainly outside the home (shopping trips, beach, etc). She goes to daycare and boarding so she knows how to interact with and take directions from new people. We don’t live near much family or close friends so we rarely have visitors to the house. We’ve had one overnight visitor (a male) who she barked at every time he entered a room. He also is not a dog person so it was extremely uncomfortable.
Now this week my parents have been here for 4 nights. Given our last experience, I was more prepared with a plan. They are both pretty alpha, used to big dogs and not afraid of her, which helps. Anyway, we’ve done all the recommended protocol for dealing with strangers. We’ve walked her as a group, with my dad holding the leash. They both gave her chicken to sit. She even rested by my mom yesterday and allowed her to pet her for a bit.
Even with all of this, you can tell she is just dying to bark whenever they enter a room. Oddly enough it’s now mostly directed at my mom. Yesterday she greeted her 3 separate time in an over excited manner, with a bark and almost a jumping head Butt?? Is this a sign of aggression, fear, or “oh hey how ya doing??”
She is ecollar trained so she understands that mode of correction. I put her on place frequently while they’re here, which is her place to settle and relax. At first I didn’t correct her for barking, because I could understand she was on edge and potentially afraid, so I simply make her look at me and use a “done” command. After a few days, now I’m less willing to accept that she’s fearful and I feel she’s testing me and my authority. So I have been correcting her right away. She understands done, quiet and no. I’m a bit discouraged because we’re doing all the right things and she listens to me for most everything else but she is just DYING to bark and low growl at them. But weirdly enough she will solicit pets and attention at different times. My parents are both strong personalities so if she can’t get comfortable with them, it makes me really disappointed to think I can’t have other friends and family over who won’t be as patient or fearless as them. Any ideas?
Now this week my parents have been here for 4 nights. Given our last experience, I was more prepared with a plan. They are both pretty alpha, used to big dogs and not afraid of her, which helps. Anyway, we’ve done all the recommended protocol for dealing with strangers. We’ve walked her as a group, with my dad holding the leash. They both gave her chicken to sit. She even rested by my mom yesterday and allowed her to pet her for a bit.
Even with all of this, you can tell she is just dying to bark whenever they enter a room. Oddly enough it’s now mostly directed at my mom. Yesterday she greeted her 3 separate time in an over excited manner, with a bark and almost a jumping head Butt?? Is this a sign of aggression, fear, or “oh hey how ya doing??”
She is ecollar trained so she understands that mode of correction. I put her on place frequently while they’re here, which is her place to settle and relax. At first I didn’t correct her for barking, because I could understand she was on edge and potentially afraid, so I simply make her look at me and use a “done” command. After a few days, now I’m less willing to accept that she’s fearful and I feel she’s testing me and my authority. So I have been correcting her right away. She understands done, quiet and no. I’m a bit discouraged because we’re doing all the right things and she listens to me for most everything else but she is just DYING to bark and low growl at them. But weirdly enough she will solicit pets and attention at different times. My parents are both strong personalities so if she can’t get comfortable with them, it makes me really disappointed to think I can’t have other friends and family over who won’t be as patient or fearless as them. Any ideas?
Have whoever is seen as a threat, repeat and rinse as much as he/she can stand. This may take some time (over weeks, in some cases, in moments with others), and u should try it with many different family members and guests. My theory is that if Dog thinks everyone is treat-bearing (in a casual environment), then everyone is OK, even if the menu is crap to Dog. Dogs who are not (outwardly) food-motivated understand food offerings as something positive in the long term. So the point of this exercise is simple: confuse Dog Mind into defaulting into Good Dog mode instead of Bad Dog mode whenever another human is encountered. Of course, there are lots of ways to skin a cat, but this is one that works here, and one AS SEEN ON TV (with Cesar Milan).
