Hey all,

our dog Shiro is doing great on so many levels! He goes with me to work ( i work at a doggy-day-care) and he seems to really enjoy spending our days like that.

Shiro enjoys the company of other dogs much more then he does with humans. Right now he's developing a habit of barking when people come visit us. On one hand it seems like a good development because he used to be so scared of visitors that he would just run and hide and be scared. Now he's finding some courage but the direction that courage is taking him is not something i much agree with.

I am trying to make strangers be a positive experience for him, but its hard getting his attention, he's not much motivated by food and treats.

when we are at someone else's house he's not barky like that. My gf just told me he did bark at someone when she walked him outside yesterday.

we are his 5th owners, he is 1 year old. we have him for 2 months and we have just moved into a new home.

thx

Is he motivated by a certain toy?
If he is, then you could get it to the visitors before they come in and they could give it to him, or play with him if he's up for it.

When I first brought Piper how she was a barker. I just said hey in a loud voice and nudged her shoulder at the same time to get her attention. She learned pretty quickly that I didn't want her to bark. Honestly, I didnt' expect it to work but it did.

Edited to add that she still barks when she is in play mode with my other two dogs, but she no longer barks at strangers or dogs on our walks.