Barking And Scaring People

[red-devil0602]

my neighbour got a collie x gsd ***** from rescue and she is the nicest dog around, only problem they are having with her is that if anybody she doesn't know comes within sight she runs at them barking at them, it's not agressive and if they stroke her she is fine or once she gets used to them. Its not woof woof it's more whoo whoo whoo if you know what i mean like a warning bark (god i'm even talking dog now), they want to know if there is anything they can do as she really scares some people. i have told them not to shout at her as she will just see this as the humans joining in on the barking but any hints and tips would be greatful

 

[Bloo]

Shouting at here wont' help at all From her behaviour (and type of bark you described so nicely!) it sounds like she's actually scared and needs re-assurance. Collies especially can be a bit neurotic and highly strung. That's why when they stroke here, she calms down. So they need to keep doing that and speak in a re-assuring tone. It might take a long time for her to feel really secure enough and will start barking instead to alert the owners - instead of barking out of fear to "protect" herself.

 

[KathyM]

I think she's already learnt that barking and acting nervously brings on the reassurance, so it's likely to spiral if they continue to reward her for it.

Her owners need to seek out a good behaviourist (no Barkbusters cack or the likes) by referral from the vet and in the meantime work on ignoring this behaviour, acting dead confident, and not stroking her when she does it. All stroking/soothing her to calm her down when she acts this way is doing is validating to her that there is something to be scared of. And no, shouting wont work either because that'll tell her that the humans get worked up by this experience too, so it must be scary.