Barking at guests?

This is my youngest staff Jake... this isn't a recent photo, he's now 4 years old... but I haven't got any recent pics of him that isn't him sleeping in some retarded way

He's a good dog, we bought him when he was a pup supposedly at 6 weeks, but we instantly noticed especially when bringing him home to 6 year old Bella, he was way too small, we took him to the vets to try and get an age and she said she could of imagined he was any older than 2 - 4 weeks old

We don't know if its due to this that he has a nervous characteristic, he barks at dogs- not baring teeth or anything just literally cannot keep still and fidgets around barking, we have to keep him out of site of other dogs when we take him to the vets. But he is not vicious at all! he's never hurt a thing and he's the soppiest little dog I've ever known, but he chatters his teeth a lot after his little "moments" and I have read that this is a sign of nerves

As far as we was aware he didn't mind people so much, some people he doesn't... like bringing my boyfriend home for the first time he was more than happy to welcome him but cautiously of course until he got used to him being around, but it was only recently mum had brought a friend over and he went mad? Not vicious mad but he just would not stop barking at her? We kept telling him off but he wouldn't listen and just doesn't stop, he allows the person to pet them and doesn't bite when they do so, but as soon as they are just about he wont stop?

We think its really unusual behaviour because as I said he's a darling little thing and just because he's a staffy I hate that people may assume he's acting maliciously?

We don't think its based on gender because he is fine with the girl mates I have brought to my house before, and I doubt it is based on age? All though he has barked at my aunt and uncle as well on a visit. But my nan and grandad he doesn't... so again can't be age... we don't know what it is whether certain people give him a bad vibe?

But I was just wondering if there was a way we can get him to stop doing this, I don't want to tell him off if he feels scared? but I don't want visitors to think he's a bad dog either...

Hi there & welcome!

Is your mum's friend a little nervous of dogs in general, or maybe staffs in particular?

no not at all :S not that I was aware of anyway, she loved the dogs

He sounds anxious about her for some reason.

What I would do is put him on a lead when your mum's friend comes in & make him sit, away from her, for a while until he calms down. Then give some treats to the friend and ask her to just hold one out. Let Jake go to her, not the other way round, and no touching other than giving the treat.

Once he's happy with that, then she could try stroking him quietly & gently. After a few repeats, he'll hopefully stop the barking.

Agree with Caryll. Suki will do this with some people as well but only inside of our house.

thanks for your advice Caryll
I'll give it a go next time ^_^

Do they wear any clothing which upsets the dog ?

The reason I ask is because my two hate people with hoodies on when the hood is up,I have no idea why......

Meg also has taken a dislike to our neighbours,she only has to see his head above the fence and she goes absolutely ballistic but she is fine with everyone else.

I was going to mention clothes too. Also is it in a particular room? My girl never barks at anyone normally but if anyone comes to the back gate of our house (which is very very rare) she goes mad at them i assume because she knwo people "are not supposed" to. So maybe the people she barks at come through a different door or something?