MidwesternGal
08-18-2007, 09:56 AM
Hi all.
I have posted here before about my dog. She is about 3 years old, black lab named Cassie. She has some social anxiety and been to two obedience classes where she did quite well.
However, DH and I moved and could not find a big enough place to rent that would allow dogs. She moved onto my parents farm (she often went there for weekend visits and just adores my dad and the other dog they have; I can tell she is much happier there, too).
The problem is that she goes nuts when people drive into the driveway and growls and barks whenever people get out of the vehicle. My mom is really upset because a great-nephew (about 12 years old) came over and Cassie just flipped out (growling, barking, having a fit). She finally got over it and warmed up to him, but her initial reaction was quite bad. She's never liked strangers (esp. kids, as we have never been around them).
Well, Mom saw my aunt and my aunt made the comment that the other couple who was with them said that "that dog can't be trusted."
They live in a small town, very rural area, so there aren't obedience classes available or special trainers nearby. What can they do/should they do to help the dog calm down around strangers? She really just freaks out.
I didn't really have the problem before, because we rarely had visitors, if at all (lived very far from family and friends).
FWIW, we have a 10m old son and the dog is perfectly fine with him. And she gets plenty of exercise, as she is outside with my dad and the other dog pretty much all day long, running around the huge yard.
Thanks.
I have posted here before about my dog. She is about 3 years old, black lab named Cassie. She has some social anxiety and been to two obedience classes where she did quite well.
However, DH and I moved and could not find a big enough place to rent that would allow dogs. She moved onto my parents farm (she often went there for weekend visits and just adores my dad and the other dog they have; I can tell she is much happier there, too).
The problem is that she goes nuts when people drive into the driveway and growls and barks whenever people get out of the vehicle. My mom is really upset because a great-nephew (about 12 years old) came over and Cassie just flipped out (growling, barking, having a fit). She finally got over it and warmed up to him, but her initial reaction was quite bad. She's never liked strangers (esp. kids, as we have never been around them).
Well, Mom saw my aunt and my aunt made the comment that the other couple who was with them said that "that dog can't be trusted."
They live in a small town, very rural area, so there aren't obedience classes available or special trainers nearby. What can they do/should they do to help the dog calm down around strangers? She really just freaks out.
I didn't really have the problem before, because we rarely had visitors, if at all (lived very far from family and friends).
FWIW, we have a 10m old son and the dog is perfectly fine with him. And she gets plenty of exercise, as she is outside with my dad and the other dog pretty much all day long, running around the huge yard.
Thanks.