Trying something different with Misha and strangers

You probably know the problems I've had with Misha meeting people. She is afraid of people and will bark like crazy when someone new comes over. We have new gardener, so it's important that she not attack him...to say the least! LOL

I've noticed recently that Misha does much better on neutral territory. I met an old neighbor on our walk one day. We were a couple of blocks from home. Misha didn't bark once. Then, there was the surprise visit from cousins who I had never met. Again, we met them two blocks from home as they went looking for us. Misha was nervous, but she didn't even bark when they came in the house. So, I think this concept of neutral territory is important in shaping her behavior.

Anyway, last week the gardener came for the first time and it didn't go very well. She barked half the time. I did get her convinced to work on her treat ball and that quieted her some.

This week I took a different approach. When he arrived, I took her outside on leash to see who he was. I was using happy talk as we went outside telling her it was a friend. She was excited and barked. She smelled the truck, then we walked down the street and back. I had her smell the truck again. We went inside and she only barked a little quiet. I gave her the treat ball again. I figure it doesn't hurt if she decides the gardener means she gets a good treat to work on.

Anyway, I think I will do this every week. Hopefully, as she gets the idea that he is our friend and not going to hurt anyone she will not bark at him endlessly. I would prefer to not have to put her in her crate the whole time he is here. I would like her to have better manners and it's a good chance to practice.

If you have a dog that is terrible with new people, do you have any tricks to get them over that barking and snarling stage?

 

This is an interesting idea. Homer also barks at strangers and I've tried everything and nothing really works. I've encouraged my family members who were visiting us to give him treats but it didn't work either, he didn't want to take it - which is more than strange because he is always hungry. He prefer to bark.When my grandparents were visiting us, he was barking for 3 days before he got used to them. When something like this happens, I just try to distract him with toys. I must try if this neutral- territory method will help, thank you for sharing.

 

The treat thing hasn't worked for Misha either. She'll take it but then she starts right back in. She will get herself in such a frenzy that she can't be distracted. She doesn't bark at people she knows and likes. In fact, she

Does Homer bark when you are outside the house with him (meaning out front)? Misha used to be horrible with this. When we'd go on walks, she bark at people passing by on the other side of the street. She got over it as she got more comfortable. She loves taking her walks so much. I would hate to deprive her of that because she is being a nuisance.

 

Mishka is also a bit over the top with new visitors. We have in the past left her inside while we greet them outside but this only caused her to go a bit manic. We now allow her outside with us, to have a bit of a sniff and to include her in the welcoming. I am a bit nervous at first with all new visitors but she soon settles down. We regret not having socialised her a lot more when she was younger. We live in a remote place and often leave Mishka alone outside. I guess it's all got to do with her being protective.
Good luck to you Misha and your new gardener friend. These furry children of ours certainly keep us on our toes.

 

Argon, I wish I had socialized Misha more as well. She was already afraid of many things when I got her at 8 weeks old. She could have used the work. In my case, life interfered. My Dad became sick off and on a year before he died and I was the one living with him and taking care of him. So, Misha didn't always get the interactions that she should have.

But, I have hope! She did so well when the cousins I had never met in person came over. It makes me think that in the right circumstances she can have good manners even if she is afraid.

You aren't kidding about them keeping us on our toes. Misha reminds me that a dog is like a child and takes a tremendous amount of work and time. But, I know that dogs can change their behaviors and I am persistent. If she doesn't come around it won't be for lack of trying. I would at least like for her to take cues from me. She can be reluctant around people but she can stop barking once I tell her that it is okay.

 

I wanted to give you guys an update on how our experiment is going. Today was gardener day. Unfortunately, he was 2 1/2 hours late. We didn't think he was going to show up so went about our business, then all of sudden he was here. Misha was running around barking like crazy when she heard his truck in the driveway.

I got her on leash once she settled down. Then, I took her out front like last time. This time the response was different. At first, she wanted to bark at his truck. But, then when he came out of the back yard to with the edger in his hand, she kind of panic. She was afraid of him--or it! Instead of barking, she wanted to flee.

I made her stay out front. We walked to the corner and around the truck one more time. Then, I took her inside and got her treat ball (the one I can stuff a treat into). I'm trying to make it a festive "let's have fun" occasion. She whimpered a bit, licked the ball, sat up and listened to him talk to my Mom, whimpered some more, and then worked on her ball. But, she didn't bark again. Of course, she couldn't see him. She could only hear him.

So, I think we made a little progress. She was able to enjoy her treat and ignore him for the most part which is what I want. They don't have to be best friends. I just don't want her to bark the whole half hour he is outside. But, I didn't want her to be afraid of him either. At least when she is afraid, she doesn't bark. She hides.

I'd say it was mixed results today. Not exactly what I was expecting (the fear) but an improvement over the barking. We'll try again in two weeks when he returns.