Hi used this forum many times before and always had success so thought I would give you another problem to help me solve.  Our 18 month old BC has always been a bit 'strange' with some visitors - not all - growling - barking, etc.  but lately it has got worse to such an extent that she makes some visitors feel uneasy about her.  However once they are settled in she is happy to got up to them - wagging her tail - but when they make a move to get up she starts again.
It is making me feel very sad as she is a wonderful family dog - no problems with any of our family.
I feel she is protecting us but obviously too much.
I think the problem might lie in the fact that she does not see that many people - we live near a large field and she goes there three times a day where she only sees the same people.
When she was a pup we went to classes with her to socialise her and she was fine - but things are definitely getting worse.  Do you think I need to take her back to training - has she forgotten how to get on with people.
It is really strange - some people she will let in - fusses them straight away - even complete strangers - other people she growls, lunges, barks, at - even when she has met them before.
I am very worried as I do not want her to get any worse.
Many thanks for any assistance you can give.

Linda

Hi Lindy,  your dog is unpredictable in situations that she does not feel comfortable in.  In some ways this is potentially more serious than if she were predictably "nasty" for example; because then you would just say "my dog does not like people I will put her away".

Socialisation is not just a "one off" it need maintenance, especially if you live a fairly isolated lifestyle.  Those dogs that live in towns are constantly exposed to "stuff" and therefore it all becomes like wallpaper, unnoticeable. There is no "novelty".  Your dog is obviously become uncomfortable, a bit like people who live in deserted communities cannot stand urban living when they are thrust into it. 

Going back to classes and making the effort to get the dog "out " more than its usual routine in a field will help enormously.  More exposure, in controlled situations, should go a long way in making her more comfortable.  It is essential however that you always let the dog approach and not "insist" on her tolerating approaches from strangers.  Avoiding eye contact, having the "stranger" sitting on a chair covered with titbits and not interacting AT ALL with the dog will gradually boost her confidence in this sort of situation and begin the association of visitors etc with ALL GOOD THINGS!

HTH

please be carefull my 18 month bc is the very same it got worse and worse untill she snapped at a visitor we now have to muzzle her when we have visitors only regular visitors can come in without her growling we are seeing someone about her and after following her advice things are a very little bit better she is worse with men but we have been warned it will take a very long time and it may never get a lot better we are working on her and we are hoping all will work out. seek advise from a behaviourist we did and without it I dont think we would have kept her as it got so bad.