Reactive puppy barking at door AND guests

[Cait73]

My puppy had a fright when she was 3 months old as a result every time someone knocks at the door she goes mad barking jumping going round in circles, if I pick her up (to open the door) she gets worse I have nearly dropped her

IF people visit (which is rare) she stands on the back of the sofa barking

NON STOP!

I've had visitors just sit throwing treats at her not making eye contact, takes a good 20-30 mins to calm her down and she'll bark again if they dare move

I was hoping she'd grow out of it but shes nearly 6 months old now and it's a real problem

When I take her out shes so people reactive I have to have her on a yellow lead so people don't try touching her, she is getting better but we've got a long way to go with that too

She's grown in confidence around traffic and noise and she's never had any problems with other dogs

Any ideas on the door/home situation please? Lots of ideas on the internet I don't really know what to try first, photo is of killer puppy lol

@HollyRoo ........in your opinion

Ultimately our classes finish in 2 weeks I'll pay the trainer for 1 to 1 sessions at home after that I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas in the meantime, so thanks for the more constructive replies

What bit are you saying in my opinion and you disagree with?

Actually dont bother answering I wont read your reply.

I only offered a few ideas and you are being weird about it.

If you dont want advice and differeing opinions dont ask on a public forum

All educated dog trainers opinion will agree with me re rattle bottles.

Rattle bottles, stones in bottles rattled at dogs will cause way more issues than you started with. If your trainer is suggesting this is a good idea you have wasted all your money and your poor dog.

OP, please please do not use aversive techniques like spraying water or loud noises on any dog, especially not a puppy who is already telling you that she is overwhelmed.

You will not help her, just make the situation even more terrifying and overwhelming and you could make her behaviour a lot, lot worse.

Methods like teaching calm and encouraging her to go to her bed are the way to go. The door needs to be associated with nice things - treats, toys or her happy place (her bed), not scary things like being sprayed with cold or water or loud noises

Another one saying that rattle bottles and spray water will make the situation worse.

I used the method suggested by HollyRoo. Dropped treats when people came and trained my dog to go to their bed when the doorbell was rung by putting treats in the bed. We practised a lot without visitors then it worked when visitors came to the door. It took about 2 weeks doing a bit of training each day.

Our young dog used to go bonkers when visitors arrived - so excited to have new people in the house, he'd become quite hysterical. The trainer suggested a calming t shirt and it's like magic. Just before visitors arrived, I'd put it on him. Just a normal little stretchy t shirt and when people arrive, he's quite calm. No over excitement, well behaved and responds to behaviour cues. The calm behaviour has become the norm now so it's rarely used.

@HollyRoo

What bit are you saying in my opinion and you disagree with?

Actually dont bother answering I wont read your reply.

I only offered a few ideas and you are being weird about it.

If you dont want advice and differeing opinions dont ask on a public forum

All educated dog trainers opinion will agree with me re rattle bottles.

Rattle bottles, stones in bottles rattled at dogs will cause way more issues than you started with. If your trainer is suggesting this is a good idea you have wasted all your money and your poor dog.

Trainer didn't suggest this 2 people on here did, hope I haven't wasted too much of your previous time in replying

@MrsOvertonsWindow

Our young dog used to go bonkers when visitors arrived - so excited to have new people in the house, he'd become quite hysterical. The trainer suggested a calming t shirt and it's like magic. Just before visitors arrived, I'd put it on him. Just a normal little stretchy t shirt and when people arrive, he's quite calm. No over excitement, well behaved and responds to behaviour cues. The calm behaviour has become the norm now so it's rarely used.

She's actually okay if she knows someone's coming it's the postman, courier or unexpected visitor that really does it but I can see how a vest/shirt would be reassuring so I might try it, thanks 🙏

It's a bit like magic OP! He's very well behaved in the house but it's generally quiet and he loves to see other people so he'd just get hysterical when they arrived and then get told off repeatedly. The t shirt seems to help him contain his hysteria and he's just friendly and respectful, obeys commands and will go and settle in his bed.

@MrsOvertonsWindow our problem is a little different my puppy is petrified of people, great with children and dogs but goes to pieces if a grown adult goes anywhere near her, so we are fear driven

I'm exhausted and really upset and worried; Peggy's been barking a LOT today at home (no visitors) the smallest things are freaking her out and I'm frustrated I'm getting it all completely wrong

She's getting worse not better

What am I doing wrong??

Are you in the Dog Training Advice and Support Facebook Group? They have so much helpful advice and offer a premium support group for different types of problems.

@alsopeggy thank you I've just looked it up, really appreciate it