MY DOG BIT THE CABLE GUY

Question
THE CABLE INSTALLER WAS EARLY AND MY DOG RAN TO THE DOOR WHEN THE DOORBELL RANG.  SHE IS 1 YEAR AND A MIX BREED ABOUT 60LB.  I TOLD THE GUY THROUGH THE DOOR I WAS GOING TO PUT HER AWAY.  HE SAID IM USE TO DOGS.  AGAIN I SAID I THINK I'LL PUT HER AWAY AND HE SAID NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT.  I OPENED THE DOOR AND SHE JUMPED ON HIM.  I THOUGH SHE WAS BEING FRIENDLY LIKE SHE ALWAYS DOES US.  THEN, SHE HAD A HOLD OF HIS SHIRT SLEEVE AND WOULDN'T LET GO.  I GOT HER LOOSE AND SHE BIT HIS LEG.  I GOT HER, SHUT THE DOOR AND PUT HER AWAY LIKE MY ORIGINAL INSTINCT WAS.  I NEVER THOUGHT SHE'D BITE ANYONE BUT I DIDN'T WANT HER JUMPING ALL OVER SOMEONE EITHER.  IT REALLY DIDN'T BREAK SKIN,  BUT IMPRESSIONS WERE THERE.  I TOLD HIM I WAS SORRY.  I HAD NO IDEA SHE WOULD REACT LIKE THAT.  MY HUSBAND SAID SHE LOVES ME SO MUCH SHE WILL PROTECT ME LIKE THAT.  BUT I DO NOT WANT HER TO THINK WE ARE IN DANGER EVERY TIME THE DOOR BELL RINGS.  I WILL ALWAYS PUT HER AWAY LIKE I FELT I SHOULD.  WHY I LET HIM PURSUADE ME IT WAS OK IS WHAT I KEEP ASKING MYSELF.  NOW, I AM AFRAID OF ANYTHING HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE.  WE HAVE 3 GIRLS UNDER AGE 9 AND SHE LOVES THEM DEARLY.  SHOULD I BE AFRAID FOR THEM?  WHAT DO I DO WITH HER?

Answer
Hi Cindy,

Listen to your instincts!!. For whatever it's worth people like the cable installer "dogs love me!" are usually the ones that get bitten.

Until she knows what you want her to do at the door, put her away when strangers come over and get her out (on leash to start) and practice nice calm greeting (no calmness = no greeting) for a few minutes. Gradually she will do better when she is clearer.

Unless she reacts that way when your children come home (happy arousal is still arousal) then I would say no I do not think she will react like that to them. But I would put her away when they bring friends home until better trained as well.

Safety first!