Some of you may remember that I got her a new trainer to work on Honey's fear aggression to strangers and dogs. I’m seeing improvements, especially towards dogs, she passed a dog on the same side of the street a couple of days ago with no barking or growling/lunging etc – this might not sound like much, but is so much better than it was! She does still have off walks, but I’d say at least half pass with no incidents now.

With strangers, she yaps and barks at them at first, so I’ve asked people to ignore her and let her do her barking thing, then she stops after a couple of mins when she realises they aren’t going away. Once she’s stopped and goes in for a sniff, she gets a click and treat. Can’t see any improvements as yet, but still early days with that I think.

Anyhow, my question. I took Honey to my sisters last night and her parents in law were visiting. She did the barky thing, then was really good and quietened down, cue clicks and treats etc.

Honey actually jumped up on the settee to sit next to my sisters mom in law (!wow!) and I told her to still ignore her and just let Honey sniff her. All was fine for about 5 minutes, then came the SNAP! Out of nowhere - there was no warning growl, no wide eyes, no panting etc, I was watching her every second. She didn’t make contact, just kind of bit the air around her. I couldn’t see any reason for it, nothing had changed, there were no swift movements etc. I immediately went over and put her on the floor with a stern NO and she skulked off in the garden.

I am going to bring this up with my trainer, but he is on hols till the weekend, so I wanted to get a bit of a handle on it before then, if anyone can help? How do I correct this kind of snap? I need to know what made her snap so I can correct accordingly, but I just cant figure it out.

Now the parents in law think Honey is the Devil Dog, which she bloody well isn’t, she’s a sweetheart who is having lots of training to work through her issues at the moment. She'll never be perfect, i know that, and dont expect that.

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30 views and no suggestions? Any help people?

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I would give Honey a pass on this. You sound like you are seeing all the 'signs' of discomforture in the dog, but maybe your in-law made a move? Some dogs are jusst fine with NO movement, but then for some reason when movement occurs they lose it. The other thing I might mention is to put this dog in her crate/carrier when you first go into someone's home for awhile. Just let her cool out.

So it was unusual for her to want to sit by a stranger? I think you corrected her the right way, but in the future I would have Honey sitting by your feet when at other peoples houses, as I am wondering if being up on the furniture was the issue. She should feel safe and calm sitting by you, and you can easily correct or praise her as needed.
I agree with Susan that having her in a crate to begin with will also help. She is already crate trained isn't she? So she should feel more confident in her crate whilst adjusting to the situation. How were you feeling? Were you stressed/nervous at all?

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Thankyou, i didnt notice any movement from the in-law, i just couldnt see why she changed so quickly.

Thanks for the reply Stella. Yes, very unusual for her to want to get close to a stranger. Would you keep her on lead at my feet? I think thats a really good idea for us if we go into a house and there are strangers there, thankyou.

Yes she loves her crate, the only thing is, we were on a walk and i popped into my sisters, not in the car, so didnt have her travel crate with me. I was probably a bit nervous when we went in as i wasnt expecting other people to be there, and i know how much her barking annoys everyone lol. But we had all sat down for at least 5 mins and was relaxed, so i dont think i was giving off bad vibes at the time of the snap.

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Even though you were relaxed when she snapped, I think she held on to your initial stress. They are very strangle little creatures.

When my brother-in-law and his wife were visiting us, I kept Angel a good distance from them and asked them to ignore him. He barked his usual, but was quiet quickly. If Angel approached either of them, I stood near by and distracted him with a toy.

If your daughters in-law even looked at Honey, it could have triggered her reaction!

We take our dogs to work with us every day, so he is exposed to strangers daily. I have a gate which separates him from our customers. There are some that he downright does not like and won't stop barking or go relax in his spot. I believe that some people just give them the wrong "vibes!" I've no other explanation! Some people he's good with and one in particular, we have to take Angel out of the shop until he leaves!

But, I sincerely think you will make progress with your training. They do get better with age!

Thanks for your reply Cindy... I feel the same, that some people give the wrong vibes! I'd love Honey to be the kind of dog that loves all people and animals, but i dont think its ever going to happen, i just need to know how to control things like this i guess! I will keep her closer to me with strangers around in future

Ohh i do hope she will get better with age, thankyou xx

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I'm very new to this subject as well sorry can't provide help my princess does this too quiet often she was owned by ex brother in law who never took her out so that's where I think her anti socialist attitude came,we pass by dogs and she growls or barks I tell her no and stop! Ad keep walking but she looks back at the dog ugh as you already know is stressful and even around people she barks barks just the other day she scared off a neighbor from my apt building! My keys fell and I got Down to pick them up while I hold princess on the leash she suddenly barked and scared this teenager the girl got really scared and ran out the door lol it was laughs after with the girl trying to make it "ok" with her because I want no report or none but I told princess NO! & it was bad so I too need help! However she is doing better with family not as mix barking when they are coming from work etc. SORRY I CAN'T HELP NEITHER I wish we both go through this well


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