We have recently brought in a new member of the family after lots of looking we found the perfect dog from a lady who rescues localy. We have 3 kids and 2 cats so this was a big desision. She has been with us for a little over a month now and we are having a few issues. I have worked on training since day one and she has resoponded very well. My biggest consern is her and my husband. She is really weird with him. We have not been able to figure it out. She barks at him when he walks in the door even if he just walked out of it. She will act scared and aggresive running around him and barking hair on end. Then stop wag her tail and sniff him but if he moves it will start all over again or escalate to where she will bark real close to his leg or hand like she is ready to strike. She just seems to be all over the place with him and very unpredictible. I am afraid she will bite him one of these times. We have tried to use treats in their interaction to make it positive but as soon as she has the treat from him she eats it and goes right back to her barking and agressive stance. I am not sure if we should "ignore" her when he comes in and she acts up or to "correct" the behavior. Just not sure what to do.

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by mystiquedog

We have recently brought in a new member of the family after lots of looking we found the perfect dog from a lady who rescues localy. We have 3 kids and 2 cats so this was a big desision. She has been with us for a little over a month now and we are having a few issues. I have worked on training since day one and she has resoponded very well. My biggest consern is her and my husband. She is really weird with him. We have not been able to figure it out. She barks at him when he walks in the door even if he just walked out of it. She will act scared and aggresive running around him and barking hair on end. Then stop wag her tail and sniff him but if he moves it will start all over again or escalate to where she will bark real close to his leg or hand like she is ready to strike. She just seems to be all over the place with him and very unpredictible. I am afraid she will bite him one of these times. We have tried to use treats in their interaction to make it positive but as soon as she has the treat from him she eats it and goes right back to her barking and agressive stance. I am not sure if we should "ignore" her when he comes in and she acts up or to "correct" the behavior. Just not sure what to do.

I'm not an expert by any means as to training a dog, but just giving a suggestion. First, I'm wondering if she was abused by a male(man) before she was rescued?? Does she act this way around other men---or have you checked it out yet? Anyway if she is scared---I am wondering if this would help , maybe even if it is an aggression issue---Have husband sit down on floor with his back to the dog (hopefully she won't decide to bite--try to have her calmed down as much as possible before attempting this maybe!) Husband to have a treat in his hand--maybe even a couple, three--Make sure dog knows he has these treats before he sits with back to dog. Husband just sit there quietly and ignoring the dog----Wait for dog to come to front of husband sitting down and don't give a treat till the dog is not showing aggression or being scared. Maybe talk softly in an upbeat manner if it helps. Once dog is calmed down--give one treat--praise dog a little (softly) I would not attempt to pet dog at this point (too soon) Just give dog a treat (1 at a time) every time it is "behaving" so it associates "good vibes" with your husband and getting treats. That is something else too--Don't let anyone else give the dog treats until it gets over this "bad thing" to do with your husband! That way the dog will get the idea more that if she wants treats--she will only be able to have them if she behaves and knows that only this "good" guy is going to give them! No expert--but hope it helps-let me know as I will be curious!