We have a 1 year old Terrier mix named Peanut. She is a very sweet dog that is very loving with my husband and I. We rescued her at 2.5 months old and she is well behaved in our home. She is well socialized (goes to doggy day care 3-4 times a week), perfectly house trained, knows her toys to chew and has full run of our house when we go out and leaves it untouched.
Our problem with Peanut is her behavior towards men. She loves women and children and there is no barking or aggression when they are around but as soon as a man enters the picture -- everything changes. This mostly happens at the front door. If a man starts walking toward the door (even if she knows them) - her hair starts to stand up, she starts to growl and then it is full on barking in their face. I tell everyone to ignore her but the barking doesnt stop and she just stands there and barks at them. Lately I've been putting her upstairs when this occurs because I just cant deal with it. She barks her head off upstairs and when let out she comes looking for the man in every room with a bark and hackles raised.
We tell her no (doesnt work), we used the choke collar (doesnt work), we have tried almost everything.
She does not do this on walks but does do it at doggy day care when men come to pick up their dogs. The owner is a man as well and she knows him very well (he has even come to our house to train her on this matter) and she still goes crazy when she sees him at Daycare. She also does this at my mother-in-laws house with the men (so its not just our home)...its almost embarrassing...I just want people to see her good side but this is unacceptable behavior and i dont know what to do. It seems like it is getting worse as she gets older and I'm so afraid she may bite -- and then we have a real problem. Right now it is just consistent, annoying barking.
My main fear is that this behavior will never stop and that she is a bad dog and eventually she will bite. I just don't know what to do anymore. Ive been told its fear aggression and if we dont take care of it soon it is going to turn into real aggression!!
Please help!!

Shelley, Welcome to the forum!

I'm going to leave it to the more experienced folks to help you with the aggression issue, but want to know what kind of basic obedience your dog has. When you say you tell it "no" but it doesn't stop - has this been trained? Does she know any commands? And how much exercise is she getting?

Again, welcome to the forum.

Welcome to the forum. People here will be able to help you. I don't know the answer. It sounds like you have a very smart dog, and a good dog who just needs some training on the correct behavior for your family situation.

 Quote: Shelley Smith

this is unacceptable behavior and i dont know what to do. It seems like it is getting worse as she gets older and I'm so afraid she may bite -- and then we have a real problem.

Hi Shelley,

Breathe easy; she can't bite if you make sure she is under your control at all times in the company of men. You can move her upstairs, as you have, or crate her or have her leashed to you so she can not get to anyone during these outbursts.

I too would like to know how much training she has had; your experience with marker training and also desensitizing and most importantly have you established yourself as her leader? Pack structure is very important to a dog.

One thought.....does she have to go to doggy daycare? I think since she reacts the same way there and you are not able to intervene; if she continues to practice this behavior it will become worse. I might try to find an alternate like a dog walker until you come up with a plan to address this issue.

Good luck and welcome!

Hi Shelley, welcome.

I’m no expert but I do have a little experience with fear in dogs and a couple of things came to mind from your post.

 Quote: Shelley Smith

We tell her no (doesnt work), we used the choke collar (doesnt work)

Fear, of any type, is never overcome by harsh words or inappropriate corrections, while it is present. If anything, this type of response from you can cause the dog to heighten her reaction and create an increased need to start protecting herself. And yes, eventually can and most likely will end in a bite if it continues to escalate.

 Quote: Shelley Smith

I tell everyone to ignore her but the barking doesnt stop…. growl and then it is full on barking in their face.

You’re telling everyone else to ignore her, but let’s look at the reaction she's now getting from you:

 Quote: Shelley Smith

I've been putting her upstairs ….because I just cant deal with it. …its almost embarrassing …. this is unacceptable behavior … just consistent, annoying barking… fear is that this behavior will never stop and that she is a bad dog

It sounds like you're really frustrated. Not the upbeat training attitude that is going to create the change you’re looking for. You really need to take a look at your approach and figure out how YOU are going to change this in order to create the change that you’re looking for in your dog.

It doesn’t really matter what started this inappropriate behavior but it does matter how you deal with it from here on. An appropriate behavior needs to be taught in its place but first she needs to be desensitized to this reaction.

I think you’re on the right track with the ignoring but WE need to lead by example. She's not in a position to be ignored right now. Through the desensitizing process it’s important that YOU also ignore these men and focus on her. It’s easy enough to get the guys on board. Just tell them ahead of time that you’re not ignoring them because of any personal issues, you’re training your dog.

When men come over, I'd have hubby answer the door and ignore them completely. Have Peanut in another room and calmly engage her in her favorite toy or treats.

Bring her toy/treats when you pick her up from daycare. Take a few extra minutes while the fellas are picking up their pups and use it as a training opportunity. Tell the daycare guy what you’re doing and have her off in a distraction free corner where all her attention is on you as the men come and go.

At mom’s, same thing. Make a few special visits just to train Peanut. As the men come and go, have her off in the background, engaged with you.

She’ll start to learn that men coming and going sparks a fun, engaging, quiet time – initiated by mom –not the frustrating, embarrassment that’s escalating the situation. A new scenario that is welcomed instead of feared. Slowly, as she learns the comforting protection of her leader, the anxious reaction will subside (but this doesn’t happen overnight). As you gain her focus you can start introducing appropriate behaviors – a “place” command or having her “sit” calmly by your side.

It sounds like you’ve got a great dog and this is fixable. It is going to take some positive, consistent effort on your part though.

I’m glad you’re here. There a lot of people that can help you through this. And sorry for the book, I hope some of it can help.

Everything CJ said (she has the experience!) PLUS exercise, exercise, exercise. Terriers need lots of exercise.