My dog Hazelnut, a one year old mixed breed who has been a sweet, soft dog, is becoming increasingly anxious and aggressive towards visitors in our home. This behavior first started when my brother visited at Christmas - it seemed only aimed at him - but now, she is that way with nearly every visitor she doesn't know or see often. I've noticed that she is friendly with our neighbors, friends in the area and fellow dog owners, but when a family member from out of state comes to spend the night, she is fearful and tends to simultaneously act aggressively and fearfully - lunge at them, mouth their hand, high-pitch bark, - and then lick their hand as if in apology, only to do it all over again. She hasn't actually bitten down on them, but I fear it's only a matter of time. Usually our guest stay only a night or two and never spend enough time to have her really feel at ease with their presence.

Here's a typical scenario: the person, usually a guy, comes to the door and she immediately becomes alert - ears perked, tail up and wagging, and her whiny, high pitched barking begins. I put her collar on and leash her, but she seems especially upset when the visitor enters the kitchen. The kitchen is where her crate is, plus it's where she is fed and if I am near the sink, or food, she becomes particularly sharp with the "intruder". I try to calm her, make her sit and down, give her harsh collar tugs, crate her - you name it, but she doesn't chill out easily. Sometimes she will back into me and continue to bark or whine with her butt backed into my leg - a foot on my foot. My sister feels she is not so much aggressive as fearful. Normally she is a very, very sweet, friendly dog, but as time goes on, she is getting more and more anxious with visitors to our home, and definitely in our kitchen. I wonder if she is territorial, protective, fearful....or what? I also wonder if maybe she is feeling that I am not in command (I spend the most time with her and she is very attached to me) and she has no sense of protection from me or confidence in my leadership. She is also protective of me, my husband and our son if the person reaches for a hug, handshake or other body contact. She will jump up and bark and mouth the person. I want to stop this behavior now. She is enrolled in another round of obedience training starting next week which may help. Any sage advice???
Thanks!
Kim

I think you have it pegged, it is fear. You can help this by socialization away from the house. Have strangers treet her away from the home. When some one new comes to the house, crate her before they come in. The idea is to not let her see them enter. Take her out of the crate when they have been there for at least an hour. Only let her out if she is calm and quiet in the crate. When she does come out leave a leash on her so you can control her behaviors. Have the visitor ignore the dog completely. Have her sit with you. Pet and praiser for being calm and quiet, use obedience to distract her if necessary. When feeding time comes put her in the crate and have the visitor come in the kitchen and sit across the room from the crate and feed her. If she starts to fuss take the food away until she quiets down. For all of this don't use any loud voice corrections or show any excitement or anxiety over her behavior. That will just feed in to it.

Richard, You may be right, but its very possible its the alfa thing. If your dog is not well trained do it now. You indicated that the dog has no confidence in you as the boss! You must be seen as the alfa (boss) or the dog will take over that possition in the pack and tell you who you can be with and who not as well as becoming very protective.
Ron

At 1 y/o I doubt that this is a true "protective" issue. That would also tend to leave out dominance. The other issue is that the rest of the dogs behavioral description is not a picture of a dominant dog. The other thing I am keying on (besides the owners impresion) is that the dog makes an immediate attempt to "make up" (submit) following the "bite". A confident/dominant dog wouldn't do this.

The other thing I failed to mention is obedience, obedience, obedience for this dog. If the dog has adequate obedinece training you can use the confidence that comes from that training to instill confidence in this other area.

Richard, Ive got to back down on this one. I rered The original post. Odds are your right.

Kimberky, How does the dog act with strangers out of the house?
Ron

Thanks to both Ron and Richard for your replies regarding Hazel's fear issues.

Ron, she is fine outside the house, although sometimes shy toward men (not all men). When they approach her, she backs away unless they stop and hold out the back of their hand, then she will tentatively approach them with her tail down but wagging. She has never displayed aggression or lunged at anyone outside of the house. I am taking her for another round of obedience training, though. I have been working with her in down/stay and all the basics, but she does walk with me alot and I tend to let her walk ahead so long as we stay on-pace and she doesn't stop too frequently. Should I follow through pretty strictly on "heel" as well? Maybe any slight relaxing of obedience is troublesome. Anyway, I think your advice on crating her when guests come, etc. sounds on-target and I will follow it. Thanks again,
Kimberly

Kimberly
I use two commands for walking. Heapel and "come with me" When I say heel, they come to the proper possition with full focus on me as for trials. When I say, come with me, they know its for just a walk and they can move around. as long as they dont pull on the leash.
Also, good shepherds are cautious of new people. So if your dog is leary of strangers that is fine. As long as they dont show aggression.
Ron

Kim

Correct me if I'm wrong this does not sound like a GSD or mix, it sounds more like one of mix toy breeds. Like a minature poddle or Chiuauha.

Socialization as mention should help or have people that enter your house treat her so that she starts seeing this as a good thing, People entering your house. I would try to stop the fear aggtession her continued alert and mouthing.

But I like a dog to alert me when someone comes in my house, so praise her when they enter and praise her when she quite after you say there Ok.

Even a toy breed, can have a utility purpose. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

 Quote:

Originally posted by Ron Bryant:
Also, good shepherds are cautious of new people. So if your dog is leary of strangers that is fine. As long as they dont show aggression.
Ron

I would like to make a small correction to the above statement. First of all, no one indicated that the dog in quesiton was a GSD or a GSD-mix. Second, I would not use the terms "cautious" and "leery" when describing a perfect GSD. "Aloof" is more like it. When describing a perfect puppy or a young dog I prefer friendly, bold, confident, pushy. Aloofness comes with maturity.

Kimberly, if you choose to socialize your dog at home (as you should) and you are at all concerned about her biting someone, I suggest using a muzzle. A basket-type is fine, as you can treat through it. Other than the obvious reason, you may feel more relaxed if you don't have that to worry about. If you constantly worry about dog biting a guest, she will fell your anxiety and misconstrue it as a threat.

Ron: I like how you differentiate the types of commands for walks. I'll try the "come with me" as well.
Don: My dog is actually a mix breed of what we think may include shepard and golden retreiver. She's not a toy breed - she weighs 50lbs!! Thanks for your comments though, I appreciate all the help!
Renee: Your comment on maturity and aloofness hit home - I had been wondering where our romping, friendly puppy went. She's still friendly, but more aloof. Makes perfect sense. Thanks!
Kim