Welcome - You can buy the 'Essentials Book' Direct from publishers at this site... AND, Free Article on Anxious Dogs and Visitors Entering the Family Home. Anxious Dogs Visitors Entering the Family Home Marilyn Bergeman © January 2003 Many of my appointments are with clients who have concerns about their dog's behaviour when visitors arrive and enter their home; where what was originally a 'greeting bark' has, through time, deteriorated to excessive barking, anxiety and nervousness, jumping up, growling, lunging, or biting. Generally, methods used in an attempt to stop that initial 'greeting barking' would have been; holding back with tight collar, sit or stay, 'No or leave', 'Verbal or Physical Reprimand', or take the dog to another room before answering the door. Perhaps we could try to see things from the dog's point of view, and let's face it we expect our dog to warn us if stranger's approach our territory. To my dogs, I'd say "well done, good dog". How would I feel if someone yelled at me for doing my job? There again, if he barks to alert and I bark louder, would I be teaching him to increase his sound? And if I lose my rag and get hot under the collar when he goes all out to be 'louder ' like me, will he become confused and anxious... will he think something must be wrong.. I must be upset with this person at the door... he should protect me! He must do better! He must sound and behave more frantic and aggressive, just like me? But then when I scurry him into another room and have to face this monster at the door alone, what should he do? He must come to me, save me!... he must scratch, claw and chew at the door.. he must make himself heard! But then when he is punished for not saving me, what should he do on the next occasion? He MUST get to that door before I'm harmed. What an impossible task we set our dogs. Of course, this is the extreme and not many of us yell and reprimand our dogs, and I choose to assume that's so when I visit people's homes. Generally, people who ask for my help, have their dog's best interest at heart. So, on every occasion to date, I've asked that on my arrival the dog is left to roam freely. On answering the door nothing is said; no instructions, be calm and ignore any behaviour. Generally within 5 - 10 minutes a dog will settle, and lay down quietly. Usually it's a case of minor communication problems within the family pack. Unless there's a severe behaviour problem, I suggest approaching a selection of volunteers, ask them to visit and do exactly what I would do; Ignore the dog until he becomes calm and 'only then' pay him attention. I explain that even 'negative attention' - a glare, a command, a hand between him and visitor - can be rewarding and will encourage him to repeat the unwanted behaviour. Timing is important... watch unnoticed, for 'gaps' in his attention seeking behaviour.... gently praise, immediately at such times, but immediately cease praising and ignore again, if that behaviour resumes. If things aren't going so well and he's determined to remain focused on the visitor, don't let him think you're paying attention to his behaviour - Distract him with a sudden sound (keys are good) and quickly praise his response as he looks toward you (the visitor is secondary). Some people suggest visitors feed the dog with tit- bits... I wouldn't do that. We don't want our dog to become more focussed on the visitor, but to relax and be assured that all's well at home. To feel confident enough to allow us to do the job he attempted, and trust our judgement knowing the family pack's safe under the competent guidance of the true pack leaders.
				Marilyn Bergeman MBIPDT CABTSG MFBDR FMSDB © January 2003