Dog sitting and dealing with random reactivity
Hello!
I’m currently dog sitting for a 4 year old rescue (not sure on the breed as I think she’s a mix). About a medium to slightly bigger dog and looks like she has a type of working/hunting breed in her.
She’s pretty well behaved and often goes off and relaxes by herself. However, at random times she can become excited and aggressive. It’s usually in the garden, which the owners did warn me she can get territorial over.
She will start barking, clawing, and snapping. I wouldn’t say she’s biting but I think she’s barking so close and jumping up she’s nipping me badly, at times.
I say no and try to ignore her. I’ll sit down and ignore her. I wouldn’t say these things work as she will continue to bark really close to my knees.
So I wouldn’t say it’s anything I really do but she does just stop and will be completely normal again.
I don’t do any playing in the garden (by the owners recommendation. I just throw some biscuits into the grass for her to keep things calm. Then she doesn’t associate it with being high energy.
I’m currently out in the garden with her closed inside hoping that will make her see it’s not her place.
Any help on what I should/ should not be doing will be greatly appreciated! As I have another 11 days with her and she’s usually really lovely and easy to be with.
Edit: she’s had a walk in the morning and she gets a long walk in the evening. Still a bit too warm where we are for midday walks.