Hi all,
I'm hoping for some help in understanding how to handle this situation that has recently developed between our 2 year old chocolate lab, Sierra, and my husbands parents. Sierra is very friendly with every person she has ever met and she used to love my in laws as well and enjoyed their company. Recently she has come to be terrified of them for some reason. She will bark non-stop whenever they visit but she won't come near them. She will pace/walk around in loops and circles barking and growling from over 20 meters away, outside and even from another room she won't stop. She is so scared/worried/freaked that she is urinating all over the place as well. This has happened each time they have visited over the last 2 months (about 3 or 4 visits in total) and if anything she seems to be getting worse with each new visit.
About 2 and a half months ago, my husband and I were out when we got a call from his parents asking if we were going to be long as they had just arrived at our house. As we were only a few minutes from home we said for them to use the spare key and make themselves at home and we'd be home in a few minutes. My husband and I had no problem with this as the family is very close and they knew Sierra as well as our other 2 dogs very well.
When we got home we were told that Sierra barked a lot initially but soon settled down and by the time we got home not long later all certainly seemed well. The dogs had all been let out into the yard by the in laws and were absolutely fine. Ever since that day though, Sierra has acted the way I have described when around them so this is the only thing I have that 'may' explain the 'why' - how to fix this problem is another story
So far we have tried to remove her from the situation until she has settled down but she will not stop barking and growling AT ALL until after they have left. (even afterwards she is still a bit 'on edge' - woofing at every little thing...) We have asked both parents to please ignore her, which they have done, but as soon as either of them speak to us or move even slightly, Sierra gets even more upset. I have put her on her leash to try and reassure her that way and have walked around the house with her during the visits, talking to her, giving her praise/treats for even the smallest sign of calming down but to no avail so far as we cannot get closer without further barking etc. She loves food and will take treats etc of anyone, but wouldn't accept any put in front of her on the ground by them. After todays visit I am now at a loss as to what to do??? She is getting worse and we need to find a way to help her get over whatever has caused this fear.
Just to re-cap, she is happy and playful with ALL other people.
She is pretty well socialized and used to people coming and going.
This behavior has started after my In-laws visited our home without us being home. They came in, let the dogs out of their crates and opened the door to the garden for them - Sierra and Delta (my Chihuahua) barked initially then stopped when they realized who it was. Jess, my collie x never barks and was also happy to see them. We got home about 10 minutes later and all seemed well. The next time they came to visit this new behavior started with my Lab.
I would really appreciate any suggestions that will help us with my little Lab girl - she's such a sweetie and we all love her dearly and hate to see her so distressed :cry:
Many thanks from Sierra and Family
I'm hoping for some help in understanding how to handle this situation that has recently developed between our 2 year old chocolate lab, Sierra, and my husbands parents. Sierra is very friendly with every person she has ever met and she used to love my in laws as well and enjoyed their company. Recently she has come to be terrified of them for some reason. She will bark non-stop whenever they visit but she won't come near them. She will pace/walk around in loops and circles barking and growling from over 20 meters away, outside and even from another room she won't stop. She is so scared/worried/freaked that she is urinating all over the place as well. This has happened each time they have visited over the last 2 months (about 3 or 4 visits in total) and if anything she seems to be getting worse with each new visit.
About 2 and a half months ago, my husband and I were out when we got a call from his parents asking if we were going to be long as they had just arrived at our house. As we were only a few minutes from home we said for them to use the spare key and make themselves at home and we'd be home in a few minutes. My husband and I had no problem with this as the family is very close and they knew Sierra as well as our other 2 dogs very well.
When we got home we were told that Sierra barked a lot initially but soon settled down and by the time we got home not long later all certainly seemed well. The dogs had all been let out into the yard by the in laws and were absolutely fine. Ever since that day though, Sierra has acted the way I have described when around them so this is the only thing I have that 'may' explain the 'why' - how to fix this problem is another story
So far we have tried to remove her from the situation until she has settled down but she will not stop barking and growling AT ALL until after they have left. (even afterwards she is still a bit 'on edge' - woofing at every little thing...) We have asked both parents to please ignore her, which they have done, but as soon as either of them speak to us or move even slightly, Sierra gets even more upset. I have put her on her leash to try and reassure her that way and have walked around the house with her during the visits, talking to her, giving her praise/treats for even the smallest sign of calming down but to no avail so far as we cannot get closer without further barking etc. She loves food and will take treats etc of anyone, but wouldn't accept any put in front of her on the ground by them. After todays visit I am now at a loss as to what to do??? She is getting worse and we need to find a way to help her get over whatever has caused this fear.
Just to re-cap, she is happy and playful with ALL other people.
She is pretty well socialized and used to people coming and going.
This behavior has started after my In-laws visited our home without us being home. They came in, let the dogs out of their crates and opened the door to the garden for them - Sierra and Delta (my Chihuahua) barked initially then stopped when they realized who it was. Jess, my collie x never barks and was also happy to see them. We got home about 10 minutes later and all seemed well. The next time they came to visit this new behavior started with my Lab.
I would really appreciate any suggestions that will help us with my little Lab girl - she's such a sweetie and we all love her dearly and hate to see her so distressed :cry:
Many thanks from Sierra and Family