Dog tries to bite visitors?

Question

My best friend has recently adopted a dog, who for some reason tries to bite visitors (he's luckily never actually managed to bite someone), and therefor has to go in his crate the whole time visitors are in the house. At first we thought it was not knowing the difference between a visitor and a burgler, but now we think it might be signs of stress or insecurity.
He's fine when he is put in the crate, he doesn't bark or anything, and doesn't show any signs of distress at being crated, he seems more calm than when he is out of the crate.

Any idea's on how to tackle this problem?
To me it seems like he thinks he's top dog and has to protect the rest from everyone else and doesn't know the difference between friend and foe yet..... but my thoughts might be waaay out there:-))

Anyway, like I said any tips or thoughts would be appreciated!

first of all, I'm not from the USA, and what's more using a crate can be a usefull training tool! I have never had to use it on my dog, but my friend had to use a crate in the case of her dog that bites. The dog does not bite because it is being crated, it is being crated because it bites!
I completely agree that keeping a dog locked up in a crate for hours on end is cruel, which is why I suggested to my friend to post this question online to find a solution to this problem.
The dog is a teckle and does not bite people outside of the home, and is also fine when it is taken to other people's homes and stangers come in. It's just purely when strangers come into its home.

Answer 1

You are absolutely right, this is most definitely a pack issue. The dog does not recognise your friend as the pack leader and the stress and insecurity results from this. He should not bark at, or in any way attack, any visitor to the house, because he should trust your friend to "defend the pack". He needs proper training (the dog, not your friend, lol). Crating or muzzling are just masking the problem, which can easily be cured without making the dog feel it's his fault, which it isn't. Good luck to your friend!

Answer 2

"Dogs are not protective. People only misinterpret their actions. What you think is being protective, is actually the dog being emboldened by his owner's presence. He knows the owner has his back, so he can act mean and tough. That's why most reputable vets don't let the owners in the room when they are administering shots or doing other procedures. When the owner is away, the dog doesn't feel as free to act hard."

This is partly true. Though dogs can be protective it is because they rule the roost, it has nothing to do with the "owner having his back". This is a human concept. Clearly, the owner has not established authority over the dog. Also true, dogs act very different without their owners present. They tend to either act more aggressive or more submissive. Dogs reach their behavioural maturity at 18 months. If they were fear aggressive as pups, they will become aggressive, without the fear, as adults. This makes them very dangerous. I assume that the history of this dog is unknown. I would refer to a professional trainer or behaviourist and try to work with the dog. If there doesn't seem to be a resolution here, I'd not hesitate to have the dog euthanized. After witnessing my own dog come far too close to biting, I euthanized him. I was not willing to let him ever actually make contact. I could not live with the fear that he'd harm someone, and it would not have been responsible of me to turn him into a shelter knowing that he most certainly would bite at some point in the future. There are far too many healthy and stable dogs that need homes to spend time and energy on one that is showing such clear signs of aggression. Best of luck.

Answer 3

dogs show aggression because they think they have to be in control. It is their job to make the decisions and they cannot cope. Always, the human needs to be a better leader. I recommend watching the 'Dog Whisperer' series, Ceasar Milan - you can get it on DVD from ebay.
Do not use violence or agression -it will make the problem worse and the dog disrespect and distrust you more.
Go to obedience school - if he is too agressive even for that, get the help of a private dog trainer asap. They will visit you and start you off right.
Crate training is a good idea - it shows him this is his place and he has a safe den to go to. He might really benefit from that. But as The First Dragon rightly says, it will not help to put him in their when you have visitors, as it avoids dealing with the problem. Crates should never be used to punish a dog anyway - it should be their sanctuary, not their naughty corner!
and do use a muzzle if he is that unpredictable, until he is more social. It could avoid a terrible problem.

Answer 4

Instead of crating him, at least part of the time have him on a leash when visitors come, so he can be controlled. If he acts aggressive, the owner should say "no" and then make the dog do some obedience training, such as "sit" or "down" or "heel." This lets the dog know in a nice way that he isn't the boss, his owner is. When he is under control, the visitor should pet him and talk to him and give him a treat.
I had a dog that used to threaten my guests when I first got him, and this is how I handled it. He soon became a very friendly dog.
The dog is trying to protect his home and people; he just needs to learn that this is not the way it is done.

Answer 5

The owner needs to train/put through training, better late than never. Dogs will try to dominate humans and will keep doing so unless restricted from that behavior. My entire family and myself are dog breeders and we have to teach our dogs to have obedient behavior, always. (Yes, FEW dogs have attacked for no apparent reason despite training, but dogs are also loyal by nature as well.) And crate training is acceptable (we use kennels only however), it protects the pups/dogs rather than leaving them in the open. But until training can begin to set in w/ the dog, owner should put dog into another room, on leash, or even possibly an animal friendly muzzle while visitors, well, visit.

Here are some basic training tips
-Be consistent and direct w/ dog.pup.
-Don't hit, or yell, but a raised stern voice is key when dealing w/ disobedient behavior. Stay calm, and don't give up, ever.
-Reward good behavior, Scold (not in a cruel manner) bad behavior. But do not over reward/praise, tell him once command is PROPERLY finished what a good boy he is. Treats can get in the way of basic training, use them later on once simple commands are played out completely. If he tries to bite, pull him back, raise that stern voice and tell him, no, no biting, don't bite, whatever is comfortable w/ him (never say he is bad, just what he did was bad).
-do not over train, meaning keep sessions simple and short (time and words), and try it throughout the day a few times, and he'll get the hang of it soon enough.
- a leash will be the best tool in the beginning stages of training.For example, During session, leash dog, when you tell him to "come" tug gently but noticably on the leash towards yourself, keep tugging and saying come similtaneously, until he responds, if he responds well as in, he "came" to you, tell him what he did was good.

Answer 6

Your friend is lucky that the dog has never bit anyone! This is a serious issue. I would get that dog to a certified animal behaviorist right away! You could also consider a dog trainer, but a lot of trainers out there don't have enough experience in this issue to be able to effectively help. I would talk to a trusted vet, who can give you references. It is expensive treatment, but not as expensive as being sued by someone the dog bit!

Answer 7

In any given situation, focus on what you do want your dog to do instead of on whatever he’s doing wrong. Learn how to train your dog https://tr.im/uPp6S

For example, suppose that on many evenings, your young dog gets busy looking for trouble just as you’re digesting your dinner. He grabs a boot from the mat by the front door and gallops through the house with it. You yell at him and take it away. He grabs its mate. You yell and take it away. He heads for the kitchen and starts checking out the counters in case something tasty’s been left behind. You chase him away. And on and on, until you’ve lost your temper and torn out clumps of hair you can ill afford to lose.

Answer 8

a dog programme i watched said that visitors as they enter should drop treats on the floor for the dog but should not talk to it or pay it any attention just drop the treats their ment to do this every time they come round it worked on the programme so good luck

Answer 9

You need to let the dog get used to strangers in the house...If you have time, and a spare non-afraid neighbor, take the dog to their house, and walk to yours...walk inside, and let neighbor feed the dog treats...do this until the dog loves "neighbor in the house" time...Then work with different people to get the dog used to visitors...and always keep food on hand for visitors to feed dog. If dog isn't behaving, leash. If leash won't keep dog constrained, muzlle and leash...otherwise it's crate time.

Another alternative, if not so popular, is the use of a shock collar, as it provides punishment, not from you, as a no. If trained properly, this can be the by far most effective way to keep the dog at least away from the strangers.

Answer 10

does the dog behave this way towards other people outside the home? it may be a territorial thing....in any case you cant have a dog that bites...the behavior needs to be corrected. pet smart and other pet stores offer classes ....but before going there i would suggest a trip to the vet...they could offer alot of advice. good luck.