Dog Acts Aggressive Towards Houseguests: Free Training Tips

For this Omaha dog training session we worked with Una, a 5 year-old Weimaraner. This sweet dog acts aggressive towards houseguests. Una’s guardians wanted help with how much she barks when new people come to the door.

Una was quite upset to see some strangers at her door. You could tell she was an anxious dog; barking intensely while intermittently backing away. She was twitchy which told me that she had Cortisol, the stress hormone, in her blood. I would not say her behavior was aggressive, more of an insecure disagreement.

What to do When a Dog Acts Aggressive Towards Houseguests

I used some dog behaviorist tricks and within a minute of entering the house, Una was taking treats from my hand. The guardians were impressed, saying that she had never settled down that quickly when a new person came inside.

Later in the session, we demonstrated the secret to a successful, fun dog greeting. Visitors that come to see Una can watch the video below with tips to help a dog stop being territorially aggressive when new people come to visit.

As you can see in the video above, we focused on addressing Una’s territorial and insecure behavior when guests arrive. Initially, she displayed signs of insecurity and territoriality, barking and acting defensively at the door. The approach to improving this behavior involves several steps.

First, a dog’s energy is depleted through exercise, such as playing fetch with treats, before the guest arrives. A desensitization technique helps dogs feel calm towards the doorbell. The dog learns to connect the sound with good things, like treats. This helps reduce their excitement and anxiety.

Over time, this helps the dog remain calm when the doorbell rings. When the guest arrives, they should not make direct eye contact with the dog. They should also avoid sudden movements, as this could increase the dog’s anxiety.

Instead, a calm approach with treat-based reinforcement encourages the dog to approach and engage with the guest on its own terms. The main goal is to make the dog feel more relaxed when people come over. This helps the dog see guests as positive experiences instead of threats.

If your dog acts aggressive towards houseguests, it’s important to help them feel safe and happy. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a professional dog trainer to teach your dog that barking at people who come to the door isn’t necessary.

Are Weimaraner Dogs Aggressive?

Weimaraners are generally not aggressive dogs, but certain factors can lead to aggressive behavior. If they are mistreated, not socialized well, or have health problems, Weimaraners may become more assertive or show aggression. While they are naturally friendly, docile, and attentive, they can also be stubborn, assertive, and at times destructive.

Weimaraners were originally bred for hunting. They have a strong urge to chase. This can lead them to chase cats, steal food, or act aggressively. This behavior is more likely if they are not trained or controlled.

Early socialization and obedience training are crucial for these dogs. If they do not meet other animals and people when they are young, they may have trouble interacting as adults. Weimaraners often face health issues like heart problems, hip dysplasia, stomach twisting, and thyroid disease. These issues can sometimes lead to changes in behavior, including aggression.

Training is important for dealing with these behaviors. It helps owners find the root causes and teaches dogs the right responses. Puppy classes and obedience training can be especially effective in managing a Weimaraner’s high energy and rambunctious nature.

Weimaraners are best for owners with a large backyard. They need plenty of space to burn off energy and stay balanced.

We shared several tips in this in-home dog training session. These tips will help Una feel more confident. This includes her role and the guidance from her guardians. To help her humans remember them all, we recorded a roadmap to success video that you can check out below.