It's never a problem if people will cooperate and not do it. She goes to them in her own time, takes a few sniffs and then usually is very friendly. She has done a very quiet growl to someone who does reach to her and doesn't back off. For a while I would put up a baby gate when strangers came. I found that it magnified the problem. It's like she thought if she was being kept away, they must be bad. When I took away the gate she did much better but of course the people have to cooperate.

I've had a lot of work people coming to the house lately and she's done very well as long as she doesn't feel overwhelmed by they approaching her first and if there's just 1 of them. I have to be careful not to let her sense that I'm nervous about her potential reactions because that may affect how she reacts.

There have been many people, even strangers, she's been crazy about the minute she sees them. She also loves my extended family. I just never want her to bite someone. I'm sure the growl is a warning. She's never bitten anyone but I don't know what she would do if she felt very threatened. Any suggestions regarding this? Am I doing the right thing by just telling people to ignore her or talk to her only? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

A: I have some ideas for you. First, obedience class could help this enormously. Second, if you're going to put her away from company--which I would certainly do in many cases where someone is there for work reasons--put her where she can't see them.

I have a dog who doesn't handle strangers well and I put her in my bedroom. That's a place where she doesn't feel deprived but isn't working up an attitude toward the people by seeing them.

I agree with telling people to ignore her and let her make the approach. With my own dogs, I take it a step further and teach the dog to make the approach on my cue. Again, obedience class helps with this. It also gives you lots of chances to practice with people who know how to act around dogs.

Obedience training can also remove any feeling your dog might have that she is supposed to keep these people out or control their behavior. Confused protection instinct can cause problems like the one you're describing. When you work with the dog in class and practice the exercises elsewhere, she learns that you are in charge and it's not up to her to decide who does and who doesn't enter your home.

Don't worry that making her more trusting with people would harm her ability to protect. In fact, it makes it better because the dog develops better judgment and is able to be with you more--including that one time when her presence might make that difference. A dog who likes friendly strangers is much better at recognizing dangerous behavior from a stranger than a dog who is suspicious of everyone.

Notice too whether beards, hats, big purses, overcoats, etc., may be affecting her initial attitude toward some of your guests. If so, then parade around the house yourself with these attachments as much as you can so she gets used to them. The beard might be hard to imitate, but just anything on your face in those areas would help, maybe tying a bandana around it.

You are right to be concerned. It's important that we don't ignore signs that a dog is feeling too much stress, because that can indeed lead to aggression if the dog isn't helped to handle the situation better. I hope things go well.