My girlfriend's dog always barks at me- how can I make him like me?

Question

My girlfriend's pet dog always barks at me. He even lunged at me the other day, as if he were threatening to bite me. He doesn't like many people at all- he even barks at my girlfriend's parents when she isn't around!

How can I train this dog to like me? Or, can I trick him into liking me by using treats or food?

What is a humane and compassionate way to get him to start liking me, and to stop barking at me?

If this helps explain his behavior, please keep in mind that this dog used to live with just my girlfriend in her own house, and he didn't know anyone else until years later, when she moved back in with her folks. He seems to mistrust and oppose other people.

Answer 1

He s being protective over your girlfriend
spend some alone time with him and play with him
fetch and throw a ball and every time he brings it back give him a treat
thats called conditioning
in no time he will be considering you less of a threat and more of the pack

Answer 2

Well believe it or not there are lots of kinds of barks. Some dogs bark to initiate play, some dogs bark as a warning, some dogs bark just to say, hey I am here. My dogs always bark when my husband comes home and it is different from the bark they do when the mail man comes. It is almost a kind of I am here and I am doing my job kind of bark. The bark itself can also change meaning depending on the other body language the dogs display. I would not take it personally. Often the type of dog will also impact when and what it barks at and the other dogs may go along for the ride. Anytime one of my dogs bark they all start barking. It is like a chain reaction.

Answer 3

The dog sounds as though it's very protective and dependant on your girlfriend.It has built up a bond with her and doesn't want anyone else around.

To get the dog to accept you don't force it.Take it slowly. When you go into the house be as relaxed as possible and sit down straight away.You will be less of a threat then.
Don't sit really close to your girlfriend.
Let the dog calm down and he will eventually come to you to sniff you.Try giving him treats also.
Don't stay in the house very long the first few times.Just take it slow.As he starts to accept you you can stay a litle long and move closer to your girlfriend then things should hopefully calm down.

Answer 4

The problem is that your girlfriend probably did not take him to puppy classes or socialize him with other people as puppy. This is the best time to avoid these kinds of problems.

If the dog is lunging and not merely barking, then you are dealing with some very serious aggression issues. You and your girlfriend should find a professional trainer that works with aggression and uses gentle but firm training methods. Check with your local humane society and see if they have some recommendations for good trainers in your area. Good luck.

Answer 5

Getting him to take treats from you is probably easy enough. But then you also need to develop enough trust to be able to actually touch and handle the dog, or he will see you as a source of treats and nothing more. Patience and persistence will pay off. Approach the dog with a closed fist in the beginning (to protect your fingers!) Many people try to pat a dog on the head, but what's he'd really like is to be scratched behind the ears.

Answer 6

Sometimes if a dog was abused by a man when they were younger, then they will be more or less permanently wary of men. My step-mom has a dog that barks at me every time I go over there.

I have slowly built up trust with it (mostly by sneaking it little treats). When it finally let me pet it, I gave it a good scratching behind the ears (if you want a friend for life, scratch a dog behind the ears).

It will still bark at me when I first come over, but once it sees who it is, it will usually chill out (or beg for treats...)

Answer 7

What has happend here is the dog has claimed ownership of your girlfriend and dose not want to share her. The next time you go to her house do not talk to the dog do not touch the dog and do not make eye contact with the dog. When you arive at her house take a seond to get your self ready go up to the door knock waight for some one to answer the door then simply walk in do not touch. talk. or make eye contact with the dog. Wakl in like you belong when the dog calms down put a leash and collar on the and head for the door thell the dog to sit when you reach the door. Make sure he is calm then proced thruogh the door with you in the lead make him come out after you. Remain calm now take him for a long walk with you in the lead make sure to keep a good pace a fast walk make sure he is behind you at all times do not alow him to lead you you lead him. He is not going to like you taking the lead and may protest but remember you are the leader and he will eventualy respect you for this. DO this once a day for a week or so and he will turn around. You shouls tell her folks to do the same he will respect them to this dog has some issues with who is the lead and who is the follower this will help reinforce that people are the lead and he is to follow. Make sure that this dog gets a good walk at least once a day more if possiable. between yourself her folks and her is should not be a problem.

Answer 8

A dog should be trained on how to eat, walk with you, not to bark, potty training and sleep on its place etc. You can teach anything to your puppy, dogs get trained easily with some good instructions. If you want some good training tips visit https://tr.im/trainyourdog

If properly trained, they should also understand whistle and gesture equivalents for all the relevant commands, e.g. short whistle or finger raised sit, long whistle or flat hand lay down, and so on.

It's important that they also get gestures and whistles as voice may not be sufficient over long distances and under certain circumstances.

Answer 9

You need to be in charge of the dog for a little while, give him his breakfast and dinner, and actually touch his food. Absolutely giving him treats will help, but only after he does something for you, so show him the treat, tell him to sit, and then reward him. that way he learns to look to you for guidance, and that way he does not have to worry about you. He may not be getting enough exercise, so if you took him out on long walks, or even runs, he will associate you with good things, and you may find you like him more also!

Answer 10

Why Dog Barks
By Mike II Arroyo

Dogs are social animals, and they need exercise and interaction with their human companions - and sometimes other dogs. Dogs cannot expect to sit quietly or entertain himself while his owner is away, it will definitely bark on by passers that will disturbed the neighbors nearby. Though there are several devices invented to train your dog from chronic barking, its success still depends on proper use.