When you are home alone with your pooch, he may be the sweetest, most outgoing dog around. But, the second someone knocks on the door, his entire personality changes. We're not talking about an aggressive dog per se; we're talking about a dog that cannot cope with strangers. There are a few things you can do to help your dog welcome your guests, but first you must figure out what's causing his fear, anger, or anxiety.
If your pooch is extremely aggressive toward visitors, then this is an entirely different problem. Even though the root of the problem may be the same, this article is going to examine the other ways a dog may act out toward a stranger. Aggression is serious and dangerous, possibly requiring the help of a behavior specialist. Until you get professional help or start a retraining program, it's a good idea to keep your dog in a different room of your home until the guests leave.
The way your dog reacts to visitors can help you determine how to treat the problem. But first, you must figure out why your pooch is reacting at all. It is one thing to get excited about a new person, but it's another thing to run and hide or start destroying your home. Pay attention to who gets your pooch wired. Does he react this way to males only? What about males over a certain age? Or, is it females or children that he has problems with? Also consider his surroundings during his times of discomfort. Some dogs may act out more at night, while other dogs may only act out if the visitor approaches a family member or the dog's belongings.
Determining what exactly sets him off can help you come up with ways to make the behavior stop.
Once you realize that, let's say, your dog doesn't like men over a certain age, don't get angry with him. Perhaps he had a bad experience with a similar person. If you rescued or adopted your dog, then you never know what he went through before he got to you. It's up to you to show him that "men over a certain age" are not enemies. In other words, once you identify what exactly makes him anxious, then spend time getting him accustomed to those things. Take him to dog parks or invite people over, and work on proper socialization skills. If he is anxious towards everyone, then just start general socialization training. It will take time, especially if your pooch is already an adult, but it can be accomplished.
Until you have your pooch fearless, then there are things you will need to do at home to help when visitors arrive. Try out different approaches to find one that makes your dog more comfortable. If he is fearful of visitors, then place him in a room in another area of your home when visitors are present. Provide him with bedding, toys, and whatever else he needs to feel safe. Keeping him in a crate may also work. That way, he can see the visitors and they can see him. However, if your pooch is fearful, then it's not a good idea to let the guests approach him while he is confined to a crate, since he may see this as a threat. Perhaps your pooch feels safer on a leash when guests arrive, or maybe his favorite toy keeps him occupied. If he is only fearful at night, then confine him to another room if visitors arrive after dark. Be creative! You must get your pooch accustomed to the new people, while keeping him free of anxiety. And, don't be afraid to ask your veterinarian or fellow dog owners for tips. You aren't alone in your endeavors!
If your pooch goes nuts when guests arrive, then it may be a problem. Whether he is ripping apart the furniture or hiding under your bed, there is a socialization issue. Once you figure out why your pooch acts the way he does, then you can start training him to act differently. Never get angry with your dog, since there may be deeper, underlying factors causing his anxiety.
This article was provided by pet-super-store.com a website featuring dog carriers & pet doors.
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