My Malinois, very nervous type, runs to the door and barks when a guest arrives. He's not very good with distractions at this point, so I'm still trying to work the basics in repetition and bringing distractions in slowly. In essence, I can rarely get him to sit, down, or look in the first couple of minutes when guests arrive.

He's good in a crate, so I usually keep him in the crate in a bedroom while guests are at the house. OR once the "newness" of the situation has subsided, he can come out and lay on his bed in the living room where he does fine with a Nylabone or squeaker toy.

I also think it could just be a matter of time before this can turn ugly. So far it's just been barking; but I don't want to make assumptions.

I ordered the DVD Dealing with Aggressive Dogs, but I'm still getting through my first DVD--Establishing Pack Leadership. (: I still have a LOT to learn.

Prompted from another thread, I'm just wondering if there is something I can do in the interim until I get through the DVDs. Like, when I hear a knock at the door, should I put him in his crate FIRST? then answer? Answer with a leash and get the treats ready?

Background: Prior to being relinquished to the shelter the story is the breeder tried some sort of aggression training with him. When I first got him, he would tremble and pee at anything new or new people. I adopted Doc 6 months ago (at age 1 yr) from the local shelter; he stayed with a foster parent (for around 5 mos) who is a behavior specialist.

The dog is now 18 mos. The behavior specialist does marker training, so I think Doc knows more than me and I'm catching up. We've been back to the specialist on occasion, but setting up regular appointment times has been difficult with our varying schedules.

Thanks in advance!

My dog barks at the door bells on TV. Geesh! I know she's learned that Dad RUNS to the door when the real bell rings, so maybe he'll run at the one on TV! Of course he runs to the phone, too. Luckily, there's not much of that on TV these days with cell phones and ring tones.

I'd love to train the man. But 37 years of it is too ingrained, I'm afraid.

Just rambling.

Our Mal barks and growls when new people enter our home, but he is crated so I just instruct all new people to completely ignore him. Some people want to talk to him and interact, but that feeds into his excitement so he gets ZERO attention until he becomes calm and quiet. Then I will put him on a leash and allow introductions as long as he stays obedient. The second he gets too excited he goes back in the crate. He's learned quickly that calm good behavior results in good positive attention.

Thanks, all. This makes sense and very doable. The crate door is open when he's not in it. Looks like I have some more good indoor stuff to work on. YAY!

Perfect time of year for it!