Hi

I have recently rehomed a 2 year old spayed labrador bitch, she is extremely well behaved,has settled in well and is excellent off the lead, but 3 times she has barked and ran at strangers. The first incident was a young boy who ran towards her whilst we were out walking, and she barked very loudly, upsetting both the boy and his parents. The second was a neighbour in the kitchen, who was trying to fuss her and she began barking. Also another neighbour (who is not fond of dogs) arrived home when i was on the drive with her and she ran at him barking her head off.

I have been trying to work out what sets her off, as I dont want her to bite anyone, although I doubt she would. All three people she barked at were male, and she doesnt have a problem with my daughter and her female friends who have frequently been round to play with her, However, she also doesnt mind my son, and her previous owner was a man.

My other idea is that it may be a territorial thing because 2 of the 3 times she was in the kitchen and on our drive.

I am really stuck trying to work this out, I have a feeling it may be men she doesnt know coming to the house, but I am not sure.

Does anyone have an incite into dog psychology??? I dont want the neighbours scared out of their wits everytime they arrive home, and I certainly dont want to risk her biting anyone!

Any help would be greatly appreciated, as she really is a lovely girl.

Thank You
Brenda

Just from reading what you have written I can deduce that she is uncomfortable with people running towards her, people trying to fuss her (when maybe she doesn't want it) and those who don't like dogs. :D  Of course I am only guessing.  A couple of my scaredy rescues would also bark at someone running towards them but I have worked hard on their training so I can call them and go in a different direction with them.  No one is allowed to fuss my dogs if they don't want to be fussed, although there is only one that wouldn't mug you for a fuss if you walked into my kitchen. ;)  And I would advise not having her on the drive off lead if your neighbour doesn't like dogs.  If she is uncomfortable or fearful of certain people or certain situations then it is always best to seek proffesional help with desensitising.  It isn't always straightforward.  You might, for example get the neighbour to play with her favourite ball with her and she'll either end up happy with the neighbour or frightened of her ball. 
Sally