Growling in the car

[Amy and Truman]

Truman sometimes growls when someone approaches his side of the car during afternoon school pickup. I know it is insecure/fear reaction and it must have something to do with feeling confined in the seat, or maybe the people are so up close to his face, I don't know? He doesn't have this reaction on the ground unless someone is wearing a hat or hood ( which we are working on). I would love ideas for helping him overcome his insecurities since everyone wants to love on the big guy!

He has sucessfully passed three levels of training, although it has been a couple months and we need a refresher course. I have defiantly slacked off in the training department lately and have got to do better. Any ideas or suggestions would be great. We are off now for pickup, so hopefully he will be a good boy!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I posted my opinion above, but I would like to add, you may want to correct this behavior also. It may take awhile but let him know this is not acceptable if you think it may become a problem down the road.
I just keep in mind, that not all dogs like to be approached at all times. People really need to learn to stop running up and throwing themselves on cute dogs..... Just because.

[Amy and Truman]

Thanks everyone! I just didn't want to continue a behavior that could be a warning sign for something more dangerous, but since he's a sweetheart everywhere else I think he's ok. Perhaps we will keep the window up for a bit in the pick up line, and discourage the strangers. I can see why they want to love on him though, I mean who wouldn't? They just don't back off.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My dogs do this also.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

You could have some friends approach your open window and give Truman some treats.  Then he will see their approach as exciting and not threatening. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I don't think I'd want my dogs to be excited to take treats from people handing them out at the car window. Too many scary people out there. I'd rather they be a bit frightened of strangers approaching them in the car. How to find the happy medium between greeting and aggression I'm not sure. But I rarely leave my dogs with the windows open even a little. If it's too warm to leave them for a few minutes with the windows closed I figure it's too warm to leave them in the car at all.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

I don't ever leave my dogs in the car alone but Cubbie used to bark and growl at people walking past my car when at a stop sign or when a friend or family would approach my car while we are parked in a driveway or parking lot (with me in the car).  My trainer suggested the treat thing so that people could come near our car without him freaking out and it worked for us.