#dog - #10 month puppy anxious with people calms then suddenly lunges/ bites at visitors seemingly in defense of harmless situations

10 month puppy anxious with people calms then suddenly lunges/ bites at visitors seemingly in defense of harmless situations

10 month rescue (idk breed is mix- lab, border collie, shepherd has been suggested). We are working with trainer but I am concerned and looking for suggestions as IMO having a dog that bites is a significant problem. On 3 occasions, he has lunges at and bites visitors. These people (3 friends, 1 non- resident family member) had been here for some time and our dog was appearing to calm, allowing them to pet him etc. On 2 of 3 occasions, the person moved toward his known family, handing member a piece of paper and play wrestling with my oldest son. On 1 of the occasions, he was being patted by the person and the dog jumped at them and grabbed the sleeve of their shirt, ripping it. Otherwise, he's a pretty good dog- responds most of the time to down, out (of a room), crate, beg, does well on leash. We just got a muzzle and are getting him used to it so he can wear it situations when we have visitors. We send him to his crate when visitors arrive but this is short term solution as he barks incessantly and this sucks for long term. I don't want, never intended to have a guard dog. Please advise kindly. This is my first dog and spouses first large breed dog. EDIT- to clarify the dog was adopted by us when he was 4 months. He is 10 months now. We do not have history of past prior to adoption place.

Submitted January 20, 2019 at 06:25PM by digbone73
via reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/DOG/comments/ai4vb0/10_month_puppy_anxious_with_people_calms_then/?utm_source=ifttt