[michala]

Hi, I am new here and would appreciate any advice anyone can give me.

We have a Male Rotti, Spencer who is just over 2 years old. He is as placid as they come - he is our second Rotti so we have a fair idea of their temperment.

Spencer doesn't react to other dogs, cars, bikes, fireworks etc., yet lately whenever anyone visits our house he jumps and barks at the door. Before he would just look through the window to see who was visiting and most of the time the visitor would go out with us to say hello, the idea behind this is that he is not excluded from us. He is very much part of the family in that he is allowed in the house/living room when we are home and is very good with our children, never barked/growled at them, although as with any dog, the children are not allowed in the room alone with him.

My problem/worry is, today we had a viewer come to visit our home as we are in the process of selling and Spencer lundged at the door barking with his fur up, why we are particularly worried is that he only saw the viewers baby walk into our room. Also, when a friend who has met spencer before and he was ok with, was leaving my home she said goodbye to him, ie, stroked his head and he growled then barked at her.

Spencer is very protective if I am home on my own if my husband goes out, but he seems to be on high alert all the time lately. He has been castrated approx. 12 months ago.

Any advice would be appreciated as at the moment I am not comfortable with guests calling to the house.