This is just becoming really weird. Strider never barks at people approaching the house. He's a service animal, loves everyone, had the poo socialized out of him, but turns into a crayzay beast when they're coming.
He's not cuing off me or anything, since they are totally invisible until I open the door the only way I know someone is coming is because he barks. This time he started barking when they were at the end of the driveway. When I open the door instead of standing next to me he tries to block/brace in front of me. He doesn't growl or anything aggressive, just that booming bark and trying to keep them from touching me.
The first time it was two men. The second was a young couple, and the third was two young ladies, all different people. And he reacted the same every time.
Yet, he loves the magazine salesmen, the Mormon missionaries, and the UPS man, etc. This is seriously bothering me, because I can't figure out why he is objecting so strongly to them. Outwardly they seem like nice enough people, and it's different people. The only thing they have in common is their religion, and I have a hard time believing my dog is a bigot.
As a note, the block/brace thing is one of his tasks, but he was taught to stand behind me and do it when we're in line somewhere in public, or standing in a crowd, not in front of me.
Any insights? BTW, he has never acted like this outside our house, or toward any other people. Just the Jehovah's Witnesses.
He's not cuing off me or anything, since they are totally invisible until I open the door the only way I know someone is coming is because he barks. This time he started barking when they were at the end of the driveway. When I open the door instead of standing next to me he tries to block/brace in front of me. He doesn't growl or anything aggressive, just that booming bark and trying to keep them from touching me.
The first time it was two men. The second was a young couple, and the third was two young ladies, all different people. And he reacted the same every time.
Yet, he loves the magazine salesmen, the Mormon missionaries, and the UPS man, etc. This is seriously bothering me, because I can't figure out why he is objecting so strongly to them. Outwardly they seem like nice enough people, and it's different people. The only thing they have in common is their religion, and I have a hard time believing my dog is a bigot.
As a note, the block/brace thing is one of his tasks, but he was taught to stand behind me and do it when we're in line somewhere in public, or standing in a crowd, not in front of me.
Any insights? BTW, he has never acted like this outside our house, or toward any other people. Just the Jehovah's Witnesses.