Hi All,
Long time 'lurker' - new poster.
What are people's thoughts on the cause of this behaviour...
Young dog/pup 'goes off' (barking, growling & general carry on) at some inanimate object that has been moved in the yard from last time the dog was there e.g. washing basket, pot plant, furniture in the house.
Similarly, young dog/pup goes off at a person it knows (me even) 'cos they have come back into the room after changing clothes or putting on sunnies for instance.
I have had many dogs over the years (purebred and mutts) who have done this a few times while they were young. As soon as they do it I take them to see the object that has offended them so greatly and they sniff it and then they are fine with it. For people, as soon as the person speaks (it's ME you idiot) they relax, wag their tail, trot over for a pat and are fine.
It doesn't happen every time something is moved or someone changes their clothes. I'm thinking it might be a combination of protective behaviour, and since it's young dogs, maybe they haven't got the hang of thinking first and barking later? Perhaps they get a fright? Maybe they are upwind and see the thing but don't smell it?
They stop doing it after maybe 12mnths old or so.
Thoughts anyone??
Cheers,
Michelle
