Daggles Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 (edited) My 16 month old GSD has started growling when sitting on his mat inside for no reason. No one is near him at the time and I dont understand what is making him irratatedand it is happening a few times every night when he is inside. He has also started growling at people who approch our car and go to talk to OH at the window, like road workers. He also growls at when we are camping with our caravan and he can hear voices in the distance at night. The other day he wouldn't let a male friend in the front door, this is a man he has seen every 3 months or so since he was 12 weeks old. the Man is has his own dogs and got down to the dogs level at the door and offered the back of his hand but the way Maverick barked at him I thought he was going to take his hand off. This is a very non agressive dog who normally loves just about anyone. What could be happening here? Edited September 9, 2008 by Daggles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 Daggles: What could be happening here? Maturity? I'd be seeking some professional help with this one. Does your GSD get out and about a lot? How actively have you continued to socialise him since he was a puppy? Do you do some kind of regular training with him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daggles Posted September 9, 2008 Author Share Posted September 9, 2008 Daggles:What could be happening here? Maturity? I'd be seeking some professional help with this one. Does your GSD get out and about a lot? How actively have you continued to socialise him since he was a puppy? Do you do some kind of regular training with him? Yes he comes just about everywhere with us (we caravan a lot, about wvery second to third weekend). He is walked everyday and comes for regular drives with us to whereever. He is still socialised with people and other dogs. I also do regular training with him all though not with an obedience club since easter. He is a very calm dog and mostly obedient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miranda Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 As PF says it sounds as though your dog has reached maturity, it is not uncommon for previously friendly, easygoing puppies to start trying it on at this age. However I don't like the sound of the growling, I would be worried if he were mine. You could start him on NILIF (Nothing in Life is Free) and TOT (Triangle of Temptation), both these programs are highly effective and TOT is a pinned topic in the Training Forum. However I'd also be engaging the services of a qualified behaviourist to help with this dog as the problems are likely to escalate as he gets older. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daggles Posted September 9, 2008 Author Share Posted September 9, 2008 As PF says it sounds as though your dog has reached maturity, it is not uncommon for previously friendly, easygoing puppies to start trying it on at this age. However I don't like the sound of the growling, I would be worried if he were mine. You could start him on NILIF (Nothing in Life is Free) and TOT (Triangle of Temptation), both these programs are highly effective and TOT is a pinned topic in the Training Forum. However I'd also be engaging the services of a qualified behaviourist to help with this dog as the problems are likely to escalate as he gets older. Thanks for the advice, we have been useing TOT for about 8 months now and do a bit of NILIF, like he has to sit before I open the door to let him in, had to drop before being allowed to get out of the car. had to sit and stay when I throw his ball for fetch. What else is there I could do? In the GSD thread someone said he might be hearing noises outside that we can hear. We have new neighbours 2 door up who have a 2 cats with a bells on and they let them roam, it is possible he could be hearing their bells as they are running the street? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 As PF says it sounds as though your dog has reached maturity, it is not uncommon for previously friendly, easygoing puppies to start trying it on at this age. However I don't like the sound of the growling, I would be worried if he were mine. You could start him on NILIF (Nothing in Life is Free) and TOT (Triangle of Temptation), both these programs are highly effective and TOT is a pinned topic in the Training Forum. However I'd also be engaging the services of a qualified behaviourist to help with this dog as the problems are likely to escalate as he gets older. Thanks for the advice, we have been useing TOT for about 8 months now and do a bit of NILIF, like he has to sit before I open the door to let him in, had to drop before being allowed to get out of the car. had to sit and stay when I throw his ball for fetch. What else is there I could do? In the GSD thread someone said he might be hearing noises outside that we can hear. We have new neighbours 2 door up who have a 2 cats with a bells on and they let them roam, it is possible he could be hearing their bells as they are running the street? Yes, but it doesn't help with his reaction to your friend.. and that's what I'd be focussing on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miranda Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 (edited) In the GSD thread someone said he might be hearing noises outside that we can hear. We have new neighbours 2 door up who have a 2 cats with a bells on and they let them roam, it is possible he could be hearing their bells as they are running the street? Possibly, but that's not what would be concerning me. The dog is exhibiting strong guarding behaviours and you need to learn how to manage this, he's a large dog and his reactions to humans are definitely a worry. I really think you need professional help. ETA that it sounds like guarding behaviour, but it could just as easily be fear aggression, no one can accurately diagnose aggression issues on the internet which is why it's best to get professional help. In this day and age when dogs can be declared dangerous just for rushing up to someone and barking it would be foolish to ignore this behaviour. Edited September 9, 2008 by Miranda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charli73 Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 Hi Daggles, Zoe sometimes does the same thing... She did it at 13 months when she had a second fear period and got a fright from the neighbours fluffy white dog so she would alert bark alot and barks for no reason inside when we cant hear anything. We found dog poo on our front lawn (where she has no access to) so a dog had come into our yard while we were not home and Zoe went through a couple of weeks of alert barking and it was very frustrating... She was just doing her job of protecting her territory... we got some help with her from a behaviouralist... maybe thats the way to go. best of luck with Mav... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KOE Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 he is maturing, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m-j Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Hi I would be going to the vet also or a vet behaviourist, just in case it isn't just your dog maturing. The growling when coming inside is weird, if he does it everytime, surely there can't be something outside every time you bring him in?? cheers M-J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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