How do you handle them when introducing new visitors?
Chloe thinks she is an Ovcharka, even though she is all of 45 pounds and looks like a fuzzy puppy that would be the sweetest thing on earth. I can take her out in public and she is sociable with almost everyone we meet, but at the house she turns into a different dog. She accepts all kids into the house without any issue and she welcomes frequent visitors with equal enthusiasm. But there are times, obviously, that we have people come over that she has never met before. (Aka, they are "strangers", even though they are invited strangers.)
She reacts to all strangers on our property the same way: aggressively and with intent to drive away using whatever means neccessary. We actually had an incident a few months ago when my older brother was throwing a pool party. Chloe didn't know there was a group of people outside, so when one of the girls walked inside to go to the bathroom Chloe immediately launched herself at the girl (please note, I say girl and I mean 21 year old woman, not a child). Had we not had a baby gate up blocking off the hallway leading towards the door Chloe would have bit her. As it was, my mom was able to get Chloe under control (via a sit) and after reassuring Chloe it was okay (no nonsense voice saying, "Chloe, it's fine", not coddling) and showing her that there were people outside Chloe calmed down and went back to sleep.
We typically just put her in another room if we have "a stranger" coming to visit that won't be around for very long, but it gets dicey when that "stranger" is going to stay for the day, or longer.
What is the best way to work with her so she'll great and accept strangers without all of the barking/growling/posturing? I really don't mind having a territorial dog, but I also don't want her to bite someone. I don't neccessarly want to make her accept everyone with open arms, but I do want her to tolorate visitors once they are welcomed.
Chloe thinks she is an Ovcharka, even though she is all of 45 pounds and looks like a fuzzy puppy that would be the sweetest thing on earth. I can take her out in public and she is sociable with almost everyone we meet, but at the house she turns into a different dog. She accepts all kids into the house without any issue and she welcomes frequent visitors with equal enthusiasm. But there are times, obviously, that we have people come over that she has never met before. (Aka, they are "strangers", even though they are invited strangers.)
She reacts to all strangers on our property the same way: aggressively and with intent to drive away using whatever means neccessary. We actually had an incident a few months ago when my older brother was throwing a pool party. Chloe didn't know there was a group of people outside, so when one of the girls walked inside to go to the bathroom Chloe immediately launched herself at the girl (please note, I say girl and I mean 21 year old woman, not a child). Had we not had a baby gate up blocking off the hallway leading towards the door Chloe would have bit her. As it was, my mom was able to get Chloe under control (via a sit) and after reassuring Chloe it was okay (no nonsense voice saying, "Chloe, it's fine", not coddling) and showing her that there were people outside Chloe calmed down and went back to sleep.
We typically just put her in another room if we have "a stranger" coming to visit that won't be around for very long, but it gets dicey when that "stranger" is going to stay for the day, or longer.
What is the best way to work with her so she'll great and accept strangers without all of the barking/growling/posturing? I really don't mind having a territorial dog, but I also don't want her to bite someone. I don't neccessarly want to make her accept everyone with open arms, but I do want her to tolorate visitors once they are welcomed.