I have a 7 month old black lab that barks at EVERYONE other than myself, my husband, and my parents (the people that she is around all of the time). If we have visitors over to the house, she constantly barks at them, and she will even growl at some points. This continues to occur even when she sees that my husband and I are ok with the visitors being there. She acts as if she scared- the hair stands up on her back and she tucks her tail between her legs. If one of the visitors attempts to get near her, she barks and runs away. It's like no one can get close to her, even if I show her that it's ok. It's so bad that I can hardly get her comfortable around anyone!! We got her from a breader, so I doubt that she had an abusive past. I am just wondering what I can do to get this to stop? I am not sure if she is territorial or just scared of people? My family and I have had labs our whole lives, and we have never experienced a lab that wasn't social with most all people. PLEASE HELP
Hi Ansleigh, If I were you I would hire a canine behaviourist to evaluate your dog, and your situation. The behaviourist should give you and your family lessons on how visitors should and should not interact with your dog, and a detailed training plan involving counterconditioning and on-going assistance. I think first-hand expert advice is needed rather than online advice. In the interim, please stop visitors going up to your dog. Good luck. And let us know how things proceed.
I agree with @Michael A Brooks you need evaluation from an experienced postive behaviourist to help you out. Did your dog have a good early socialisation experience. I am guessing some of this may be linked to limited house guests in her early days due to the pandemic, and now she is cautious. Good luck and let us know how you get on.
