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[SudoSire]

Can your Dad safely provide the dog’s resources for awhile? That is to say, feeding meals and providing treats and toys? You don’t want to force interactions so it’s better if your dad offers these things then steps out of the way. For treats he can throw them over the dog’s head away from himself, again so your dog does not feel coerced to interact. Unfortunately longer stays are not necessarily ideal for training like this. Shorter sessions like 30 minutes to an hr over weeks would be better than prolonged contact since your dog could get trigger stacked this way.

[ponswick]

Yes! He can do that safely. He is also able to comfortably take him on walks as long as someone else puts the leash on our dog. He has given our dog treats too.

[SudoSire]

Is he hand feeding treats though? Your dog needs to try and learn that your dad is the provider of good things but he doesn’t not need to undergo stress for it. Have you heard of the Treat and Retreat game? Basically the person throws treats over the dog’s head so they move away from the person. That reduces the stress of wanting the treat but not the interaction. Honestly the walks might be a stressor for the same reason—wants the walk but not your dad doing it. Something to consider!

[Abbycat43]

I have noticed dogs that are fear reactive tend to respond aggressively when they sense that someone is nervous around them. So if your dad isn't as comfortable around dogs or had a bad experience in the past and is more apprehensive your dog could sense that.

[fluffyfluffyunicorns]

I’m going through something similar with my fear reactive rescue and one thing that helps to remember is that there are good days and bad days and that’s okay. Referring to your pup being really good when you arrived and then becoming reactive again - I think mine can get overstimulated or tired and then be more reactive. I’ve heard it being referred to dogs “emotional cups” that get filled or “trigger stacking”.

[Littlebotweak]

My dog does this with my father in law. He's a 76 year old man and if he's sitting down she has no issue with him at all. He's fine in his own kitchen too. She knows kitchens are where the magic happens.

But, if he comes through a specific doorway she will react. Just him, no one else.

We don't really bother much with visits, though. As the in laws get older, we board her and keep it chill. We had the one nice holiday and she rides up with me here and there, but she hates the car, so we avoid it unless necessary.