[2labs4kids]

Our 4 year old lab has a little problem. I was hoping that someone could help me with some suggestions as to how to break her of this. Also I was curious if any other lab owners deal with the same thing.

When people come over, she meets whoever it is (especially people other than family) and barks incessantly at them for about 30 - 45 seconds or so, then she gives the rude sniff down to them all the while staring at them in the eyes. The staring thing scares people enough as it is.

She is a very, very lovable dog with me. I honestly would trust her completely! People that come to our house, though, are pretty wary of her.

My friend came to the door this morning with her kids. She has several large dogs of her own and she told me this morning that Kayla is scary. I don't really see it that way, but I guess other people think she is.

She isn't 100% lab, I kind of think she has shepherd in her, which makes her a little more intense on the protective thing.

Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[BigBrownDog]

Have you done any obedience training classes with her?

 

[2labs4kids]

When she was a puppy I did training.

 

[mitziandjudysmom]

After she sniffs and settles down, does she continue an intense stare at visitor? I wouldn't worry so much about the barking which can just be a sign of excitement with a visitor, and the sniffing just satisfies curiousity, but a continued intense stare at a visitor (ears up) may mean "I'm putting you on notice - no false moves". ( Our German Shepherds often did this, and even though they were never aggressive, never bit anyone, it made me nervous.) If an invited visitor feels uncomfortable with my dogs for any reason, I put them in another room.

 

[Labradorable]

I would put her on her leash and put her in the sit position when people come in. Make her stay at your side like that until whoever has come has gotten in. If she barks, correct her by saying "shh" or something similar. I know you probably don't want her to stop barking completely, and I don't think this will do that to her. Our dog had a "shh" command. She barked at the important stuff, but very seldom at something that we (dh and I) were already aware of.

 

[2labs4kids]

I'll try the leash and sit, shhh thing. That sounds like what I would like. I want her to learn to shush on command (maybe I'm reaching for the stars on that one!) After people are in the house, she settles right down and never, ever gives anyone a problem. I think it's a greeting and a "who are you" type of thing. For some reason though, it bothers people. I think sometimes it because she is so jet black and looks so strong to people. I think she looks majestic, but others think she looks intimidating!

A friend of mine that likes to work with dog training told me that I have to start teaching her to not bark at passerbys, or when people come in our drive, etc. I don't really want to do that. I like the watchdog part in her too! The shushing on command thing would really be the answer.

Also, when she was a pup she would get soooo excited when people came so I would put her in another room till everyone was in. After a little bit I'd let her out and she behaved beautifully. I guess I must have forgotten about that. Also, like I said we never, ever feel threatened and she sort of does the same thing to us but we like it. She's just saying "hurray your home!!"