Personally I leave it up to my dog. Contrary to what you might think, most guard dogs are not taught to attack. Integrating them into spending time comfortably around other people and pets ought to be towards the top of your priority lists. With people, he will bark and lunge. If he backs away or acts leery or jumpy, don’t pet … Except, here’s the thing: not all dog owners are chill about their pets being petted. Unfortunately, many dogs take this behavior to an extreme level, which can lead to serious issues. A friendly dog will approach with his ears held back slightly and his tail held out at medium height behind him, with a wide sweeping wag. I don’t care either way. In reality, a dog may be fearful of strangers for a variety of reasons. #2 – Overexcitement & Pent Up Energy. ***If the dog comes up to you, gently pet under the dog’s chin, chest, and side area. ***Don’t get over-exuberant in your petting. Contact can also be a problem for owners of shy dogs, deaf dogs and puppies prone to bite or growl. Whether your dog barks at strangers due to territorial reasons, over-excitement, or lack of human socialization, it is important to expand on each of these three reasons prior to diving into training methods. This will allow you to recommend the best way for people to approach and pet your dog to reduce his anxiety of strangers. “It’s fine to acknowledge the … Meeting new people is an important part of your dog’s ongoing socialization training. Hello! Provided the puppy is cute as hell, it's totally fair game to make any person stop and wait while you manhandle their pet, interviewing them about the little guy's name, age, birthplace, whether they're a good boy or not, if they love you, etc. Fortunately, by understanding what drives your dog to this behavior, you can correct it. Once you've welcomed a stranger into your home, your dog needs to realize the stranger's … A dog’s bark can still be pretty frightening to anybody that doesn’t understand that your pet would not hurt a fly, as many people will fear that an attack is set to follow. Rather, they are taught non-confrontational techniques, such as how to stand guard and how to use their bark to alert you of a stranger or potential danger on your property. And a clear plan in place before they even arrive home for the first time. A widespread belief is that dogs … Barking at strangers is not problematic if a burglar enters your home while you're sleeping. Dog aggression can be a serious behavior issue for pet owners. A guard dog, or a watchdog, is trained to protect your property and your family. Possible reasons why a dog may fear strangers. For one, this can intimidate some dogs. Learn how to stop aggression in dogs before someone gets hurt. ... My dog Suzy seems to get scared by all of the loud noises associated with outdoor events in the summer months. A dog that feels he must aggress and bite strangers coming into the yard or into the house has the potential to cause harm to people, leading to uncomfortable guests, lawsuits, or worse. It is heavy petting season in Toronto again, and every park, patio and tree-lined street is just brimming with cute dogs you’re gonna want to get right up to to let them know WHO’S A GOOD BOY.. How to Get Your Dog to Be Nice to Strangers. Since every dog has its own personality, the way they react and interact with people in different environments can differ. Some dogs seem like they love everyone they meet, whereas others will bark and growl at every stranger. … Since every dog has its own personality, the way they react and interact with people in different environments can differ. These may include pacing, circling, or chewing parts of their own body. Summer is back like srsly 4rl this time, and that means one thing: the dogs are OUT. ... As simple as it sounds, distracting your pet is one of the best ways to stop the barking. And thus I was reminded that every dog is different, and unfamiliar dogs can always surprise you. Why do I have an aggressive dog? When the dog sniffs your body, he is gathering information about you, not necessarily inviting you to pet him. ... Then, reward with lots of treats and praise as you gradually decrease the distance between your dog and the stranger, continuing to use positive reinforcement. When we are outside and sees another dog, he immediately wants to go at it (I have let him try and meet new dogs in the past and he got aggressive). He may not have been well socialized as … Training your dog to quietly welcome all strangers is unrealistic, but training to eliminate excessive barking is necessary. This is certainly the case for some dogs, but not all. “A stranger will say, ‘What a cute dog,’” she says, and then move to pet your dog without formally asking. If your dog barks at strangers, you may notice that the barking doesn’t stop when the strangers are out of sight. The Philadelphia-area veterinarian says that people are proud of their dogs, and don’t like admitting that the dog may have an issue. A dog that feels he must aggress and bite strangers coming into the yard or into the house has the potential to cause harm to people, leading to uncomfortable guests, lawsuits, or worse.