How to stop my overprotective dog from growling at strangers?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

• Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

  Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

  Published on January 21st, 2020

  Hi there. Most dogs who growl at strangers are fearful of them, so we normally address this issue by teaching the dog to associate good things (like treats!) with seeing strangers from a distance. Then, when that's going well, we can slowly work on having people get closer as long as the dog is comfortable. Punishment of any kind is not recommended for this issue, as it tends to make the dog's fear worse over time.
  
  This can be very challenging to do effectively on your own, so I would strongly recommend getting in touch with a veterinary behaviorist who can evaluate Oscar in person and help you put together a detailed plan to address this behavior. He/she can also talk to you about possible medication options for him, if they feel that this would be helpful.
  
  You can certainly try Zylkene or CBD oil - my experience with natural supplements like this is that they can sometimes be helpful for mild anxiety issues, but are unlikely to make a significant difference on their own with more severe problems. Response to supplements like this is very individual, so there is no way to predict ahead of time which one your dog may do best with - so you may need to try both separately to see if either one helps.
  
  You can search for a board-certified veterinary behaviorist in your area here: www.dacvb.org

  

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