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From when we first got Sawyer, he's gotten a lot better with people especially when they come to our house. Usually the only time he really reacts is when they first get to the house. Normally I put him on leash (preferably harness if I have time), and take him out to "greet" them, instead of having them come straight into the house. When he first see's people he barks, his hackles are up and (depending on the person) trying to go to them. I know its not in a aggressive manner because as soon as he close enough to you to start sniffing, he's fine and stops barking, and calms down. Well not completely calm, but bellow threshold. Im wondering whats the best method to work with him to get over the initial greeting part. Is it better to let him go to them and sniff then reward. Or is that reinforcing the behavior? I have tried taking him away to the other side of the house where he cant see the "strangers" to wait for him to calm down then go back each time he reacts. But I find that he calms down much faster letting him sniff. Admitadly though when I tried that method I wasn't doing it as well as I should and I didn't really have the time to really do it. Which one do you think would be the best method to help him be more comfortable when people first come over? I think a part of it, is the new car in the driveway. I find cars tend to make him uncomfortable, the one time we brought him to a outdoor ice scream place that was next to a busy road, he was very freaked out and wanted to get straight back into the car. So that is something im starting to CC him to so hopefully that might help a bit.
Its funny, for all his stranger danger/ stress from new people he really does enjoy being around people and want to be where they are. If you put him in his crate or another room he gets upset, and whines/barks. He does calm down after a bit but you can tell he's not happy about it.
Any thoughts?
Its funny, for all his stranger danger/ stress from new people he really does enjoy being around people and want to be where they are. If you put him in his crate or another room he gets upset, and whines/barks. He does calm down after a bit but you can tell he's not happy about it.
Any thoughts?