How can i get my dog to be less agressive when people come to my house?

Question

My dog is a sweet heart to me and my parents. She is puddy in my hands. She is how u would want a dog to be. She loves to play and give kisses (too many kisses) However she is also very over protective of me (exspecially) and my parents. when people come into the house she is very agressive and barks a lot. She has never tried to bite someone but i dont want to see it get to that point. Once the person is at the house for a while she calms down. But the next time that person comes she is the same way (crazy). The only 2 people who dont live in my house that she isnt like this for is my brother and his wife, which is wierd because they live across the counrty and rarely come by the house (maybe she knows their family). We usually hold my dog back when people come to the house but i have been told that makes it worse and gets my dog more worked up. So now we just let her go and she barks alot (viciously) and jumps at people. But like i said she hasnt bitten anyone (yet).

Answer 1

Teaching your dog the "Quiet" ( I say, "Shhhh") command and the ""Sit" command will teach the dog that you, as the leader, are in control. When my dog hears a noise and barks, I often investigate. If I see nothing, I say nothing unless the barking continues. Then I say "Shhhh". If, however, there is someone outside, I praise my dog, "Good girl" and then I say "Shhhh". My dog seems proud that she has alerted me of the approaching stranger.

If your dog rushes the door to bark at or snap at your visitors, obedience training is needed as a foundation to control the problem. Your dog should be put into a "Sit" command until the visitor enters and is greeted as a friendly person by you, the leader. The dog can then be released when the excitement is over, to smell the visitor and to say hello. Training for these situations will teach the dog how to behave when visitors arrive.
SIT

Holding a treat in your left hand just above the dog's nose, gently rest your right hand on dog's rump.
Slowly move the treat in an upward motion while applying gentle pressure to the rump.
As soon as dog sits say in a very happy excited tone "GOOD SIT" and give the treat.
Repeat exercise 7x. then take a play break ..
I like to do this during each TV commercial in the evenings..
Every time you put food bowl down or give a treat give the sit command, and wait for the sit. then once dog sits give treat or food down.
Once you have her doing a reliable 'Sit", then get your family or friends to ring the door bell, or knock..

She is going to bark..walk to the door as if to investigate, and say "Good girl, Shhhh"
Then put her in a Sit, and call come in..stay with her to enforce the 'sit'....
Dogs normally take 14 repetitions to learn a new task, so do this at least 14 times, perhaps 7 each day, for 2-3 days..
Then, begin getting up to open the door, as you would if it was a visitor..Still enforcing 'Shhh, Sit" until she does it reliably....Never give her positive attention until she complies, and don't open the door until she is 'sitting'..
Yelling at her is 'barking with her" so stay calm through all training..

Note: Dogs learn by scent more than any other sense..Your brother 'smells' like family..

Answer 2

There are several methods that you can try. 1. crate her or put her in another room until your visitors have safely gotten into the house and settled in then bring her out on a leash. 2. always give your a "key" command such telling her it is "ok". However I have the same problem with my dog and she is 11-months old. My vet said that she is feeling threatend with somebody new on "her" terriorty and said if possible to have the person sqaut or kneel to her level. By the person stooping over her she feels as though they are trying to take her postion in the "pack" or they are a threat. I have recent gone to a shock collar as much as I have cried over it and I have found that by simply pushing the "beeper" NOT the shock button, she comes over a sits right next me and offers only to go over for them to pet her. NO JUMPING and NO BARKING. But the method that you use, use constistantly. I hope this helps you.

Answer 3

She's being protective and territorial. It's not uncommon for a dog to be like this, but not usually a good behavior to deal with, like you say, you worry it could escalate to biting at some point.

Obedience training is a good way to deal with issues like this. It shows the dog that you are the dominant one in the home. The dog needs to learn that if you say it's okay for a person to be in your home, then it's okay. Your dog probably thinks he is the alpha in the home and is likely why his behavior is so intense. Once he learns that he's not the boss, YOU are, then this can be changed more effectively.

Definitely consider getting obedience training. It will also help socialize your dog with people and other animals. It's okay for a dog to be protective, but only when you allow it, not at his discretion.

Answer 4

The Dog Whisperer/Cesar Millan... can help you with all your doggie needs. He has a TV show (also a book and DVD) that should be mandatory for all dog owners to watch. Its on the Discovery Channel. He trains people to be good owners. Your parenting has created your dog problem. Usually its easy to fix with constant practice. Good Luck and remember ...Be a good pack leader!
Be Calm and assertive.

Woof



http://www.cesarmillaninc.com

Answer 5

take ur dog out on walks or dog park let him socialize with people. Take some treats with u ask a stranger to hand feed it to ur dog so it can get used to people

Answer 6

My man use to work at round table and even the meanist dog's loved him because he smelled like a pizza! lol why is that? they don't wan't to bite the pizza man? lol

Answer 7

Put a muzzle on her and give her a tranquilizer 30 minutes before you have company.

Answer 8

Enroll in obedience classes. They teach you how to train your dog.

Answer 9

Getting her fixed will settle her down abit.