[the mama]

Lucy, my 8yo GSD mix, has some issues with new people in our home. She tends to be very nervous with visitors unless she knows them well. She will bark-bark-bark, bristle and sometimes lunge.

So, we put her in the master bedroom for a while before people come over, and once things calm down, have her come out, and she'll be great. It's like, when she SEES them come in the house it freaks her out. But, if they're just there when she comes out fo the bedroom she doesn't mind. We've just gotten to accept that Lucy will spend a lot of visiting time in our bedroom. She loves it in there, her food and water are in there, so it's not really hard.

Well, usually, she gets used to repeat visitors, and will be very happy to see them when they come over, no barking or anything. Except, two of my stepson's friends.

One is his male friend, who no matter what we do, will get a lunging, snarling greeting. We always have Lucy in the bedroom the whole time he's over.

The other is my stepson's girlfriend. She is 18, shy, very small, and has some emotional issues (anorexia, neediness, etc). She's very sweet. But, Lucy ALWAYS goes into the bark and bristle mode with her. So, we do a formal introduction, and Lucy will be fine for the rest of that visit, but the next time, it starts all over again.

The last time, though, Lucy started barking, we did the introduction, and Lucy went belly-up, like usual, and the GF rubbed her tummy while we praised Lucy to high heaven, like usual. But, when Lucy got up, she stood, grabbed at the GF's low-hanging scarf, let it go; grabbed her hand to mouth it (with her rapid and gentle "play-bites"), and then backed away and started barking again. Her attitude was NOT playful, but thank goodness her nibbles were soft.

We're not sure why these two people upset her so much. Actually, teenagers in general seem to upset her a lot more than adults.

Any ideas? Why does she get all hard-a$$ about this girl?

Thanks for any input after this very long story!!

[TooneyDogs]

Usually it's the way people look at dogs that set them off. For example, staring at a dog is perceived as a challenge or a threat; quick movements/expressive arm/hand motions and even a quick step or two in the dogs direction or bending over towards the dog can all be viewed as threats.
Dog wise people assume the body posture of body turned slightly away and looking at the dog out of the corner of their eyes....all non-threatening body language.