I have a Plott Hound/Pit mix, male, neutered, about 2 1/2 years old. He's been in my home for about a week and a half so far. The trouble I'm having with him is that he's NOT friendly to my visitors. He barked excessively at the pizza delivery guy, and at two of my friends when they came in the house. The only person he did not bark or have a problem with was a visitor who met him outside, but still inside my fenced-in yard. However, my friend who entered the home and tried to pet him, he barked and then tried to lunge at her. I crated him, but any sudden movement sent him barking. He seems to respond to my command to "quiet" and I rewarded him when he was quiet for several minutes at a time. Eventually I took him out of the crate but he ignored her and still didn't seem to want her to get close to him while she was in the house.

My question is... am I going about this the right way, by crating/rewarding for quietness, and is this the best method to abate this behavior and show him it's unacceptable? Is it unrealistic to expect that he would eventually be "friendly" to visitors? Any help or opinions are appreciated!

[chevy & karen]

Originally Posted by pheiress

I have a Plott Hound/Pit mix, male, neutered, about 2 1/2 years old. He's been in my home for about a week and a half so far. The trouble I'm having with him is that he's NOT friendly to my visitors. He barked excessively at the pizza delivery guy, and at two of my friends when they came in the house. The only person he did not bark or have a problem with was a visitor who met him outside, but still inside my fenced-in yard. However, my friend who entered the home and tried to pet him, he barked and then tried to lunge at her. I crated him, but any sudden movement sent him barking. He seems to respond to my command to "quiet" and I rewarded him when he was quiet for several minutes at a time. Eventually I took him out of the crate but he ignored her and still didn't seem to want her to get close to him while she was in the house.

My question is... am I going about this the right way, by crating/rewarding for quietness, and is this the best method to abate this behavior and show him it's unacceptable? Is it unrealistic to expect that he would eventually be "friendly" to visitors? Any help or opinions are appreciated!

. Since he's only been in your home for a week and a half everything is still new to him. It sound's like he is responding to the quiet command for you.. Mine bark when a stranger come's to the door also but hopefully you can get a handle on the lunging part.. Does he understand the "No" command

[AuntieDale]

I agree with Chevy & Karen - everything is still so new to him, he may just need to get used to his new life. Barking at people who ring the doorbell is quite natural, and if he stops when you tell him to, that's great. If he doesn't stop barking, let me know, I have a few ideas!

As for lunging at your friend, sounds like what you did worked well - once again, he may just need time to get used to all the new people. You could tell your friends to ignore him, and maybe let him get used to them - if he's intimidated by new people, having them approach him might be why he barks & lunges - he's not ready to let them touch him...give him time! Sounds like you're on the right track!