En garde! How to stop an anxious dog from nipping guests

Question:

We have a neutered German shepherd/husky who is 2 years old. He never behaves aggressively with people outside our home but he will sometimes unpredictably nip people in our home without warning. In the absence of any movement on their part, he may leap up and nip them from behind. What dog training facility do you recommend?

Dr. Nichol:

What a naughty dog! Nipping rear ends shows such poor taste – but for a politician, in which case we encourage it, I guess. If your pupster is outside, even when he’s fenced or leashed, his world feels open with unlimited escape opportunities. But when unfamiliar/less familiar people “crowd” your living room he struggles with anxiety and a sense of confinement, possibly feeling trapped. You have furniture. The exit door is closed. Anybody with a pulse, other than his own people, may become instantly murderous. Arghh!

Some dogs who freak-out around strangers are openly aggressive but others, like your dog, can be too afraid to stand up to a perceived threat like, you know, Aunt Margaret. So he hides his fear. But when that visiting lunatic’s back is turned, all bets are off. He gets behind her so she can’t look at him. His heebie jeebies evaporate. He takes action to drive off the scary monster. Derrieres are common targets.

Forget trying to wrestle this problem to the ground. No one can train a dog to be tough, to lose his anxiety or fear. Nervous Nellie’s reactivity would worsen if he were forced to confront his “tormentors”. Instead, you can make it easy for him to avoid the triggers.

Withhold the big guy’s morning meal on days when guests are expected. About 10 minutes prior to their arrival put him in another room with a loaded food-dispensing toy or puzzle. He can scavenge for survival much as he would from his innate canine fare – some putrid, rotting carcass in the wild. (The fresh dog food you’ve loaded into a Twist ‘n Treat or Kong will be our secret.) With repetition, your brave beast can learn to associate the pleasure of snacking with hearing unfamiliar voices elsewhere in his house. Meanwhile, your friends won’t fear for their fannies.

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For help with behavior problems, you can sign-up for a Zoom Group Conference on my website, drjeffnichol.com.

Dr. Jeff Nichol is a residency-trained veterinary behaviorist in Albuquerque. He provides consultations by Zoom group and individually/in-person. Sign up for his weekly blog or post questions (drjeffnichol.com) or by US Post to 4000 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Albuq, NM 87109.