Some friends of mine have a 2 year old rescue GSD bitch. She had a bad start in life and had puppies at a very early age. She and the pups were dumped in the rescue kennels. Luckily my friends took her on and she is now a happy family pet - brilliant with the kids and friends with their cats and other male collie dog.
The problem is when you go to visit she is fine the whole time you are in the house but when you try to leave she goes manic. She will lunge at you and bark non stop. my friends now have to put her in another room when you head for their front door. She hasn't bitten but it is a tad frightening for their visitors.
Any ideas out there.

They have tried telling her off, spraying water in her face but none of this has worked. They do tell me that she also hates to be left at home when they go out and goes mental when they return- she is just so pleased to see them.

Sounds like seperation anxiety. There are a few things you can do behavioraly. Starting with putting the dog in a crate intermittantly. This should be done at random times until the dog is calm about going in the crate. Then while people are visiting occasionaly put her in the crate, sometimes just before people leave. If she goes nuts when the people leave just leave her in the crate until she has been calm for around 20-30 mins. Then let her out and don't make a big deal about it. When you leave get prepared to go at different times before you leave. When it is time to go just walk out the door. Don't make any fuss about the fact that you are leaving. If she goes nuts put her in the crate, and then just leave. Don't even talk to her except to get her in the crate.

When you come home don't greet her for a while after you get home. If she is in the crate leave her in there until she is calm and then let her out. When she is let out don't greet or talk to her for varying amounts of time, and then just a quick pet and move on.

The thing that causes this is if the dog is overly stimulated when you leave and return. There are also some medications for OCD that work well for this type of behavior. Prozac is one they use, there are also a couple of meds for dogs (I can't remember the names) that are also supposed to help.

Richard is right on, but I just want to add one quick thing. If the dog is not accustomed to the crate, being confined may add to her anxiety. It's important to train her to the crate until she seems comfortable with it before leaving her alone in it. Richard said to put her in it intermittently while the humans are home; that is very important to do. It should also be a happy place for her to go, i.e., she should have a reason to want to go in there. Once she's used to it, she should go in on command.

Thanks a lot for replying to my post.

Please note that this is not my dog but friends wqho I visit.
The problem only occurs with visitors to their home - it's only when guests leave and not any members of the family that they have this problem.
I know it is an odd situation but I just though you experts out there may have some ideas!

They do not own a crate at present

I would still figure seperation anxiety based on the reaction when they come home. I think that the recomendations would still be the same.

I normally can't stand it when we apply artsy fartsy psychobabble like "seperation anxiety" to dogs. :rolleyes: It does something to my manhood or something like that. :rolleyes: (I am an idiot). But I have to say...I think Richard is correct. I like the remedy as well.

This thread was incorrectly started under "housebreaking dogs". This is a better place for it.

My mini sheltie 18lbs (was a rescue dog) also has this phobia. She will try to "nail your butt" when anyone leaves the house. Since her size is quite managable (as opposed to a GSD)I have "dealt" with the problem (she comes running at your back and then leaps to nip at your butt)by facing her and giving the sit command. As soon as she sits..I then back out the door. I should also add that her "quirks" include attacking the wall telephone cord when the phone rings and pulling it off the receiver (it's now up via hooks on the wall) barking wildly while running in circles when the computer announces "you have mail" and "good bye" and she always "knows" when I'm ready to get off the phone and bids the caller with a barking round all the while running in circles that will make a sane person crazy.
And yes..she has "little dog syndrome" too :rolleyes:

The above advice to use a crate with this GSD would be a wise choice and some obedience training wouldn't hurt either.

Sorry to have started this thread in the wrong place - you can tell I'm new to this game. Many thanks for your considered replies - I shall pass the suggestions on to my friends. Maybe Barbara's idea of firming up the obedience would help so that the dog will sit/stay when people leave
I shall let you know what progress she makes

I may be a little off the wall here...but could it be possible...maybe...if we really look at it...umm

Could it be possible the dog is in prey drive? People leaving...walking away backs turned...aw hell, squirt him. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> (since they have already used water, put a little dab of bitter apple in the bottle).

Seriously though, sounds like a dominant dog with some prey to it, saying 'I didn't say you could leave'

CRATE CRATE CRATE CRATE CRATE CRATE
SQUIRT SQUIRT SQUIRT SQUIRT SQUIRT

Also, when people are there have a leash on the dog. Let the dog drag it around, when the people leave you now have a handle, instead of trying to grab a collar and so forth, which could also lead to an accidental owner bite.