Help with Stranger Anxiety (again)...(this time the victim is the poor UPS Guy)

[shelly]

I know I've posted about this NUMEROUS times, but here goes again....

I'm exhausted from running up and down the stairs every time Tori barks today.  Our next door older widowed neighbor has recently been having a 'friend' over.  he comes over frequently on his motorcycle (well more like a big mini-bike).  I have been working on the "no bark" when she barks out the window at the new 'friend', and treating her with small pieces of.... pretzels - her favorite treat.  It's been working pretty well when I'm on top of it.

 

 She also FREAKS out when the UPS guy comes (which is a lot here).  She can actually hear the van coming down the road and no matter where she is in the house, she tears down to the window and barks CRAZILY!  (the poor guy is so used to it, that he mozies on up to my in-laws side door and drops the package, waves to Tori and walks back to his truck.  

 

So here's my question.  I thought of letting her smell the package that comes and then treating her with the bits of pretzel... do you think she could actually associate the pretzels, with the box, with the truck??? (I know she's awfully smart, but, am I pushing it just a bit?)  I'd love to block off the rooms with the front windows, but that's just impossible, and she'd probably only bark at the blockade I made, not solving anything.  I'm also worried because I will be starting a kitchen remodel and "strangers" will be doing some work here.

[shelly]

AWE!  Thanks so much Joanne!  I am so glad I have you guys to lean on!

[Corinna and Krimmi]

Shelly, I don't have much advice but you know how much I feel for you since we have our own issues with bro Krimmi.  There has been great advice given to you hear and I do want to add that a HUGE factor is showing Tori who is alpha in your family.  Krimmi is great for my husband, he just has to point to the floor and he lies down (just like to add he has NEVER beaten him lol) he just has a very authoritative way with Krimmi that there is no question in Krimmi's eyes who is boss.  Me, not so much although it is getting much better. It is a constant struggle to let him know that he is at the bottom of the totem pole in the family.  It has to be that way. He wears a prong collar and it has never been an issue but has helped tremendously on our walks.  Unfortunately I have come to the realization that he will never be 100% trustworthy because of his issues.  I have accepted that but that doesn't mean we will stop working on it :)

I know both you and me have to work on obedience with our dogs.  We can't be soft hearted lol  It's funny I didn't have this problem with our shepherd.  It was tough love from the beginning and he was extremely well trained.  These doodles are just too cute to stay mad at that's the problem.  

[shelly]

Thanks Corinna!  You DO know where I'm coming from!  Maybe it's just in their genes! Wonder if it's on the mom's or dad's side - lol.  Funny - she does well following all commands with pretty much everyone in our family, but this stubbornness with the barking and not going into another room when visitors arrives just kills me! I have a few calls in to some trainers... we'll see.  

 

I chuckled when you said your husband never beat him... I was just saying how when we were little my dad used to hit the dogs if they didn't listen, or had accidents in the house, and all he had to do is 'give the look' and that dog KNEW get down.... lol

 

Thanks for your support! and advice!!! I'll keep you informed!