Michelle3 Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lablover Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 Is your current dog nervy/spooky? Well socialised? What breed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle3 Posted April 23, 2008 Author Share Posted April 23, 2008 (edited) Nope, not nervy or spooky. All well socialised with other dogs and people. The one currently that is doing it is a GSD. However, as I said, various dogs over the years have done it. Edited April 23, 2008 by Michelle3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lablover Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 How dogs react to new or conceived new stimulus, can be due to temperament, past experiences etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAX Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 My Koolie bitch does this but she is nervous and quite timid. I tell her to 'get it' and then I go and help her get it. I think it makes her fell brave that I am backing her up and I feel like she gets a look of satisfaction that she got to tell off the evil rock or what ever it was. She did it when our musical, dancing Santa took up position in the entry over Xmas. She would never tell off a person or dog as she is not very brave. I also wonder/know their sight is different to ours so the big rock in the distance could of looked quite evil to her eyes. Anyway she is getting more confident every week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle3 Posted April 30, 2008 Author Share Posted April 30, 2008 Thanks guys for your thoughts I guess it is just a combination of things, temperament, age, senses, training and how the dog actually puts it all together for themselves. Cheers, Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kymbo Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 Both my paps are very aware of new or differently placed stuff outside; one is just more vocal than the other, and doesn't seem to learn, even when the same scenario happens again and again and again LOL *waves to greymate and all the greys ~ you guys need earplugs haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jigsaw Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 Do you know if the parents were sensitive to stimuli as well? This could have some influence over your pup. You probably just have to take it easy with him, let him take his time and look at anything new with lots of positive encouragement. You can also teach them to "look" and "sniff" this can also help. If he really barks his head off teach him to speak, it's what I've had to do, although she still goes off her nana at the broom and likes to kill it!! But she loves whipper snippers! Go figure! :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle3 Posted April 30, 2008 Author Share Posted April 30, 2008 Well, I know for this particular dog that her parents are both active working GSD's and have various obediance titles. Both highly trained. Two other dogs I've had that have done it, were 'foundlings' so I don't know anything about their parents (other than the fact that their appearance proved that dogs don't get too choosey when it comes to falling in love and making babies!). And the other was a cattle x GSD and her position was attack first and ask questions later. She was the only one who didn't grow out of it. Her problem was she had no fear at all. The thing is, it's not like these dogs are skittish or scared of things. I haven't treated or trained the ones that did it any different from the ones that didn't. It's just puzzling. Anyways, I am making sure she investigates the 'evil' item, and preventing her from attacking the living items. Cheers, Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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