I need some help

[Frzframe]

Here is the deal - When Mitzi see's someone when on her chain she goes wild - growling, barking and being very aggressive. Although she never gets close to the person she is quite intimidating. And when they run then she runs after them but if they just stand there she'll run around not getting very close. Now she even knows these people and has played with them. I don't know if it is because she doesn't like the little boy because he is strange and when he did play with her he made her run and run after a stick then he wouldn't give it to her. I got on to him but he still wouldn't play nice and wouldn't leave Mitzi alone when she clearly wanted to be so I finally took her inside. But she also does this with people she doesn't know. She is fine when she in on the leash and we are on our walks - people will pet her and she'll always roll on her side and back just like she does with the dogs in doggie class. And if I pick her up when she is being this way on her chain she is fine and they can come up and pet her and she's fine. How should I handle this? I don't want one of those kids to come over and get hurt. I don't think she'll bite them but I just don't know for sure. I'm at a loss. Any help?
~Shonda

[SandyLynn]

I think you're right to be concerned. Some dogs are apt to get very frustrated and agitated when they're chained or behind a see-through fence, and are able to see people walking by. Having an uncooperative child nearby makes the situation even worse. And this is not something they are likely to outgrow, unless they're trained out of it.

If you can't put up a solid fence, or otherwise find a way to tie Mitzi where she won't see people walking, I'd suggest you not tie her out unless you can be there with her. You can distract her with toys, games, treats, etc., so she will have something else to focus on when people go past. Obviously this means more work for you, but allowing the situation to continue could lead to trouble.