Puppy sitting problems

I'm taking care of my ILs puppy this week and she typically is a sweetheart. She will lick everyone and want to play as she is still a puppy and high energy. My sis and bil came today and all she did was growl and bark at them. When I picked her up and had them per her, she was a mush and licking them. Once I Luther back down she growled and barked again. She would get to a point where she could see them and do it then would run away if she approached. When I approached her she would even cower and back up away from me. Any tips? I don't have my own dog nor is she trained.

She met the mailman nicely and a neighbor who came in nicely. I don't know what it was about my sis and bil. They came in and tried to greet her at which point she began. My family still does not have power and I would like them to be able to come here for heat and sleep but this growling and barking is too much. She also is not potty trained and therefore cannot be kept upstairs.

Any suggestions are appreciated!

Re: Puppy sitting problems

Hmmm does she have a crate? We have to keep our dog crated when people first come in. Not that she growls but she jumps. I'm a big advocate of crate training- it'll help her become potty trained as well. I know it's not your dog, but it's something to consider. Are your ILs staying with you? You said she's a puppy- does it sound like vicious growling/barking? It could just be play. My dogs growl and bark but I can tell the difference between when they are being aggressive and when they are being playful.

Re: Puppy sitting problems

She does have a crate that she stays in at night and when we're at work. I had had her on a leash when they came in to make sure she didn't run out the door. My ILs are not here, they are in Cancun. I do not have the dog so I don't know her growls or barks well. It sounds mean but she doesn't show teeth and she backs away as they approached her. My bil thought she was nervous because when I would walk by them she would want to stay by me but would make such a huge detour around my kitchen to stay away from them. Her tail was also tucked tight underneath her and head lowered. She never went after them, she would just go into the room they were in and bark and growl then sometimes run behind my legs.

I just want to be able to open my home to my family who still don't have power without the growling and barking.

On a side note, she was terrified at first to go outside in the snow/slush, but soon enjoyed it and was jumping around. Very cute!

Puppy sitting problems

I would put her in the crate when she growls and barks. Leave her in there for a couple of minutes without paying any attention to her. Let her out and if she does it again put her back in the crate- she will quickly connect the growling with being separated from everyone. Another approach is to put her in the crate before people come in and let them settle down then let her out. It sounds like she is just getting very excited to see people.

Re: Puppy sitting problems

Thank you for the responses! I will try the crate next time!