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 Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 1:42 pm
I actually stopped using Gaia several months ago after being here for about 6 years, but I am in need of animal advice and could think of no better place on the internet than here so I am back again temporarily.
My friend's dog, Duffy, is an absolute sweetheart once she gets to know you, but when it comes to strangers she is clearly very uneasy and will become very agitated around them. Having someone knock on the front door or even just walk in front of the house will cause several minutes of loud barking.
With most people who are strangers to her that are let into the house, she seems to eventually warm up to them, except with one person: my friend, (not the one who owns the dog, a different friend), that I live with.
Whenever he comes over, she will constantly (and yes, I mean constantly) bark at him for as long as he is there which has meant hours of loud barking in the past and no amount of food or anything else as a distraction will stop her until he leaves. She will also charge him whenever he tries to stand up after having been sitting down.
I'm concerned though because the last visit, she has become aggressive towards him and had to be pulled off him because she tried to attack him.
She lunged at him and (luckily) grabbed the bag he was carrying in front of him instead of him and proceeded to rip a nice hole in it. He does not act afraid of her at all so as to not encourage her and has never harassed her, but she keeps trying to bite him now and I'm worried that she might actually be successful sooner or later.
She's an incredibly sweet dog and will gladly snuggle the members of her family and myself, but very clearly wants my friend to know that she does not welcome him in her house at all. I'm a bit perplexed by the sudden hostility and if anyone has any advice on what both my friend can do and what we can do to help Duffy stop feeling so stressed around my friend, it would be very appreciated.
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Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 3:11 pm
You could try bringing over something that smells very strongly of your friend and leaving it there so she can get used to his scent.
Then, you should have her crated and allow her to see him every now and then, and praise for being silent. Then eventually when she has proven that she will not bark at him, then bring her out, but have her on a leash and have her keeping a distance from him, once again, praising for being silent and non-aggressive. Eventually allow her to get closer until she gets completely comfortable with him. Then allow her to be off leash, but supervised, praising her for good behavior.
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Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 3:54 pm
My biggest advice would be to not put this dog or your guest in a situation where he can be bitten. When I hear of a dog doing damage in a bite, I feel it has moved to the point where you should really get a dog behaviorist that deals in positive training over to see the behavior and teach you what you need to do to better manage your dog. They will be able to read the situation, find the root of the problem and teach you to better read your dogs body language while teaching you how to start counter conditioning the behavior. In the meantime I would highly suggest crating or locking your dog in another room when guests come over. they shouldn't have to fear for their safety.
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Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 9:38 pm
While I agree with Krissim, that a behaviorist is ideal when it comes to behavioral issues ESPECIALLY aggression, it is very important that someone experience SEE first hand and show you and teach you how to deal with it. I know not everyone can afford this option and seeing as it's not your dog to begin with, it might not be possible. So I would also agree that prevention is going to be very important. I.E crating the dog when he is over, or locking her in a separate room.
I do have one suggestion though (and crissAngel's suggestion is worth a try as well) has he ever been on neutral territory with her? Try talking her for a walk with him, or meet him down the street with her and then walk to the house.
This seems to work very well with my dog. Who is VERY territorial and will defend his territory against strangers, but if we know we're having guests (and this is ONLY an issue with men) we meet them on the street, have them throw the frisbee a bit and we're set.
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Gabrielle_AnimalLuver Crew
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