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I don't even know if you can call it reactivity. It's so mild, yet it causes me to be on guard literally all the time. It's very stressful.
My dog has this thing where no one can get through the front door without being growled at - with the exception of about um, half a dozen people.
I usually counter this quite easily, by bringing Marge outside to meet guests before they come in. It works beautifully and she is quite comfortable once they're inside.
The only problem is, I can't control when my dad comes home. If he's home before Marge comes in (ie., comes home while I'm out walking or in the yard), she is fine. I try to walk her or take her somewhere during the times he comes home, just to avoid the general atmosphere in the house that follows after one of her growls - something I'm currently feeling while writing this message.
I feel like it's worse with him when I'm home. I can't say for sure, but it seems like she doesn't growl when I'm not here. I don't know why. I mean, I don't even need to be in the room - I was upstairs showering.
Why does it only happen sometimes? What can I do to better diffuse the situation? And what the heck can I do to fix it?
I constantly try to distract her with treats and it works a good portion of the time. (It will NOT work with a total stranger unless they are ridiculously unimposing). He will have NO part of this part of her training. Sometimes he angrily sends her downstairs. He usually refuses to give her treats for about a day after each incident, which I know does absolutely no good.
I know I've posted this a zillion times. I just feel like she's 1000x better - even with him - except at the front door. We're getting ready to take the CGC.. she's letting people pet her, she's not cowering the way she used to - yet she's still not privvy with letting my dad into the house. This hasn't happened for about a month - now, all of a sudden, something triggered her tonight.
My dog has this thing where no one can get through the front door without being growled at - with the exception of about um, half a dozen people.
I usually counter this quite easily, by bringing Marge outside to meet guests before they come in. It works beautifully and she is quite comfortable once they're inside.
The only problem is, I can't control when my dad comes home. If he's home before Marge comes in (ie., comes home while I'm out walking or in the yard), she is fine. I try to walk her or take her somewhere during the times he comes home, just to avoid the general atmosphere in the house that follows after one of her growls - something I'm currently feeling while writing this message.
I feel like it's worse with him when I'm home. I can't say for sure, but it seems like she doesn't growl when I'm not here. I don't know why. I mean, I don't even need to be in the room - I was upstairs showering.
Why does it only happen sometimes? What can I do to better diffuse the situation? And what the heck can I do to fix it?
I constantly try to distract her with treats and it works a good portion of the time. (It will NOT work with a total stranger unless they are ridiculously unimposing). He will have NO part of this part of her training. Sometimes he angrily sends her downstairs. He usually refuses to give her treats for about a day after each incident, which I know does absolutely no good.
I know I've posted this a zillion times. I just feel like she's 1000x better - even with him - except at the front door. We're getting ready to take the CGC.. she's letting people pet her, she's not cowering the way she used to - yet she's still not privvy with letting my dad into the house. This hasn't happened for about a month - now, all of a sudden, something triggered her tonight.