vicious at front door

[iluvmyboys]

Does anyone else have a dog that does this? When the door bell rings all hell breaks loose, my dog turns into a wild animal and barks his head off, looks like he would rip the throat out of the person, and when I try to stop him he turns on me and bears his teeth and tries to bite. I can NEVER hear a word the person at the door says - it's so embarrassing. My son always starts crying too from all the mayhem - it's just a nightmare.

It's getting worse, I never thought my dog would do this (he is very mild mannered normally). People at the door are just horrified at what they see.

Is there anything i can do about this? Does anyone have any ideas?

[Mum2Tyla]

Hi,
I am sorry to say this but that is totally inappropriate behaviour the minute your dog tries to bite you is the time you need to get the problem dealt with it is probably territorial but i would definately talk to a behaviouralsist about it before you do get bitten or worse he bites someone else. good luck
Kelly:)

[liah]

I agree with kelly. if the dog was just barking and doing it to the "intruder" (as the dog would see it) at the door than that is normal territorial behaviour but but if he is snapping at YOU, thats not normal. good luck :thumbsup:

[au01]

We had a dog that would go nuts everytime someone walked past the fence and then she nippped the girls when they walked past while she had a bone.
We made the dicision to give her to someone else without kids and had more time to train her.
We weren't going to wait until she attacked another dog or worse still a child.

[Chickadee]

I agree, that sort of behaviour needs to be corrected and you should talk to a professional about it.

Disclaimer: I am not a pet expert! If it is just a problem at the door then you may be able to recondition him. But it takes a lot of time and perserverance, and also the co-operation of one or more people to help you by being the visitor at the door.

[iluvmyboys]

Thanks everyone for your replies and advice. I've decided to keep him outside a bit more from now on. He's been a perfect dog since I posted of course, but I may consult a behaviourlist about it I think as it is something that is definitely getting worse with each visitor to the door.

[Chickadee]

Sounds like a good plan. I had a thought that might help you in the short term too. Is it possible to block of his access to the front door? Perhaps with a baby gate or similar across the hall or room that leads to the door? This at least would allow you to answer the door at a distance from his barking and temper tantrum.

[shinebrite]

we have a dog that use to go crazy at the door! he would even bite! they were our friends too! I think it comes down to the whole whos the top of the food chain! well it was what sorted our puppy out.
Get a bowl and feed him/her at the same time everyday for 15mins take it away after this.
Before u give it to him/her let them know its YOUR bowl! put it in a place they can see and whine away wanting it make sure its outside!
give it to the pup slowly making sure they sit before they eat and then once its finished or 15mins is up take it away, this will give you respect from the pup!

when someone goes to the door tell them to sit on a mat or stay at a certain place tell and tell until pup gets the point. give them a treat and go answer the door! I think if u let them know its ok you dont need their help they eventually get the picture and will stop it takes time. this is how we did it and its great we just stand firm and have got respcet from him cause he understands who is at the bottom and who is at the top of the food chain... HTH