I had a scary incident at the park today. I took my dog there to play in the completely enclosed ball diamond and to practice our agility. As we were leaving in the car, we went past a person walking on the road and Sierra went beserk. Barking, snarling and charging at the window. Caught me totally off guard as she has never done this before. Once I got over the shock, I stopped the car, put on her prong and leash and with her in the back seat, wrapped the leash around my leg. We started driving again and as I saw another person walking towards us, I told Sierra quiet and down. She went beserk again and I used the prong to force her into a down. I don't know if it was the right thing to do or not, but as soon as she was quiet, I rewarded her with "good quiet" and a treat. I kept driving slowly and each time she reacted to a person walking, I did the same thing; forced her into a down and then once she was quiet rewarded her. I ended up making 4 circuits of the park before she would finally not react to a person walking on the road.
1. What could have triggered her to start doing this?
2. How should I have handled it?
3. Should I go back to the park tomorrow and repeat what I did today or what should I do? I can't have my dog doing this!

How old is this dog?

If it were me, I would have done exactly what you did

Some others will chime in with suggestions, but to me it sounds like your pup is becoming a dog. She may now be developing a sense of territory and is deciding that she needs to protect it.

If she is already mature, being territorial is still possible, but is there any chance she was left in the vehicle unattended (while you went into a store or something) and someone did something to illicit this sort of reaction (Maybe kids or an obnoxious adult tauting her for fun?).

Were you, or someone else driving the car? You stated that "you" pulled over. For safety reasons, wrapping the leash around your leg while driving could certainly pose some hazards if a dog is out of control.

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If she is already mature, being territorial is still possible, but is there any chance she was left in the vehicle unattended (while you went into a store or something) and someone did something to illicit this sort of reaction (Maybe kids or an obnoxious adult tauting her for fun?).

Good point!

I think you did really good! I would practice that a lot more. Just show her that it is unacceptable to act that way. You can start fights, not her!

Nobody gets near my car.

Hi Debbie,

I personnally would not want my dog going nuts when simply seeing someone walking by while we are in a car, and think this could possibly transition into similar behavior if the dog is outside the car and sees somone walking nearby, etc... (If I'm in the car and someone is trying to hurt me, obviously he can go as nuts as he wants.)

I would set up the opportunity to train this - perhaps in the parking lot of a grocery store/walmart where you can park far away from the people and you are not having to drive. Maybe working the dog outside of the car but within sight of people, then putting him inside the car and working on what you can in a car - sit, down, touch, etc... then moving the car closer. I think that starting in a situation less "inflammatory" than the park which is where the behavior began, might get you off to a better start and then you can add the park back in.

Does she still go off if you crack the window? I've seen dogs go ballistic before if they can see something but can't hear or smell it.

I taught my dog "enough". It works in the car, too.

 Quote: Scott Garrett

Nobody gets near my car.

haha... enjoyable

A 9 mos rescue I acquired was wild in the car, barking at people and lounging at the glass when cars passed. He really came unhinged, scratches in the glass from teeth and nails. We worked on this for months, one driving and me working with him. When I didn't have another driver and there was some where to go he had to go in a soft crate. I found the clicker speeded up the process. 3 years later and he still will attempt it every now and then.