[sweetlee]

As you all know I have been working with Dodge on not barking and growling at people walking by or up to the house.
He really has been doing better. We sat out and met the mailman a couple of days, and he is fine if I am out with him. Yesterday the cable guys came and he stopped when I told him to, and he was fine with them coming in and out of the house.
But this morning some guy selling something knocked on the door and when I opened the door the dog went nuts and tried to squeeze past me growling and barking.
I had what I would call a CTJ meeting with the dog. I yelled pretty good at him to get to his room. He has been treading lightly around me today.
Then I took a look at our relationship. I have slipped. If I am honest, I have slacked off on the NILIF principle. I have been throwing the ball for Dodge at his whim, I have been cuddling and coddling him. I still make him sit and wait at the door when we go in and out, or when we eat but other than that, I have been kind of "soft" with him.
Our training class has been set back a few weeks due to the blizzard May 2nd.
So today, I started over. Dodge brought me the ball and kept dropping it on the couch, I made him leave it and go away. When I walked him, I kept him on a tight leash and made him formally heel, made him sit when I stop, made him down a few times.
I really feel that my slacking off has made him think he is going to challenge me for rank around here. Does this sound right to you all? Dodge is a little over two now.
I have vowed to work him a bit harder and to be very firm but fair with him.
He does get enough excersise and he is a great dog out on walks, never barks at anyone or any other dogs. I am pretty sure this is territorial, and he is going to learn this is MY territory and I decide who is welcome and who is not. The way I have gotten him away from barking at the window is usually with a "leave it, let's go get a treat".
I will be glad when classes start back up.
Until then, do I have the right attitude?
Other than that this is the dog whom the people at the local pet stores adore, the vet adores, everyone who meets him loves him. The cable guys yesterday said how well behaved he was.
I don't want to make excuses for what he did today, and I won't, it just scared me pretty bad. I honestly do not think Dodge would bite anyone, but I think I am right to be concerned about his trying to push by me while barking and growling at this poor guy.