[Help] Fostering a dog who is normally a sweet heart. Today she flipped a switch. Looking for some help/advice.

Get in front of her (if possible) and make her sit (make her sit regardless) even if you have to put a leash on and physically prompt her (it will not hurt her even if she jumps around make her sit) in a firm voice tell her no without being aggressive or loud (if you yell she’ll think you’re crazy and feed off it) once you feel like she’s listened, and HAS NOT barked for 10-15 seconds, praise her.

When you know a situation like this is likely to happen (when someone is coming over) put the leash on an repeat the same process as often as possible. If you can have a friend or neighbor that can walk in multiple times in a row do that and practice every time do that it will take a lot of repetition. Make sure whenever she does not bark or looks to you you praise her. You have to teach her to relearn her response to new people. Especially if she is a foster/rescue she has probably had bad experiences with new people or people in general before.

Give her love, she’s not doing anything wrong, she learned this behavior somewhere. You just have to show her that you have her back and she’s safe. Praise is key.

/r/dogs Thread