Question:

Hi Elaine, Thanks for your input.  I gather you think I’m overreacting!  To answer your question, yes I did think that in other circumstances I might have been grateful for the dog’s intervention.  However, these days, we read and hear so much about dogs biting humans "for no reason", and how the warning signs are always clear months and even years before.  I’m hopeful, as you suggest, that we don’t have a problem with our dog.  But I’d hate to find myself in a situation, in two or three years’ time, where the dog bites a chunk out of someone’s leg and everyone tells me I could have prevented it if I hadn’t ignored the signs.  That was the main reason for my question. As for the rest – we have a great dog who gives us a lot of love and pleasure.  She’s an important member of our family, and we can’t understand why anyone would have given her up to the SPCA – which is where we got her.  We want to do everything we can to keep her safe, and that includes taking corrective action if necessary before innocent behaviours become problem behaviours. Thanks again for your comments.  I’ll try not to worry so much! Christine

Response:

Christine, My dog rarely barks either, that was one of the reasons we got her.  When all the other dogs at the shelter were carrying on, she remained calm and quiet.  One day, when she was about 9 months old, my boyfriend came in from motorcycling wearing a full leather suit and his helmet.  All of a sudden I heard this HUGE bark, and I thought "that’s a big dog out there, I wonder who it is?"  It was my sweet Loki!  Jay looked up at her (she was standing on the balcony right above him), took off his helmet and called her. Immediately her hackles went down and her tail was wagging. On most occasions when she meets people she is very friendly and we always joke about how she would go home with anyone, or lead a robber to the jewelry if he gave her a treat.  But there has been a few times when she reacts negatively with someone, either barking or hiding behind me with her tail between her legs (very untypical of her).  I can’t explain it and I hear it’s normal.  Dogs are experts at reading body language and can sense things that we are blind to.  Fear has a smell, and aggression too, and she may just be protecting me (or herself) and trying to communicate what she is preceiving.  She has never snapped at anyone though, or bitten anyone and if she did I would take drastic measures to correct that.  In the above case with my boyfriend, I believe she barked because she didn’t recognize him at all (and couldn’t smell it was him through his new leather suit).  Maybe she is more protective of her home than we ever thought.  A good bark is better than a home security system I think (although maybe not cheaper ). I would just observe your dog, and try to see the world as she sees it, maybe she only barks at men who wear hats (I knew a dog like that, her previous owner abused her and she was deathly afraid of men who wore glasses, because he did), or maybe she is warning strangers that "hey, I’m here so don’t try to mess with my mom and dad!" Loki has a real problem with old ladies and sticks.  She cowers from the old ladies, even ones who try to feed her french fries, and if you pick up a stick to throw for fetch she clinches her eyes shut and backs away (again, all very unLoki-like behavior).  As we’ve never hit her, and she was a stray, I tend to conclude that she’s had a bad experience with the two (together or separately). Anyway, you sound like a very concerned owner and I just wanted to let you know you are not alone in your experience or concerns. Tammy & Loki – who really loves french fries, especially In-n-Out Burger’s P.S. She has also taking up barking at dogs who poo on "her" yard, I think it’s her way of saying "you ARE going to clean that mess up!" – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >grateful for the dog’s intervention.  However, these days, we read and hear so >much about dogs biting humans "for no reason", and how the warning signs are >always clear months and even years before.  I’m hopeful, as you suggest, that >we don’t have a problem with our dog.  But I’d hate to find myself in a >situation, in two or three years’ time, where the dog bites a chunk out of >someone’s leg and everyone tells me I could have prevented it if I hadn’t >ignored the signs.  That was the main reason for my question.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->stood on end and she began to growl in a VERY threatening way.  We were amazed >- she’d never done anything remotely like that before.  Of course, as soon as >my husband said her name, she recognized him and rushed over for the usual >greeting (licking of hands, rubbing against legs, lying down for a belly rub – >the dog, that is, not the husband). >The following weekend we took her hiking in the mountains.  Around lunchtime we >stopped in a clearing near a stream to eat our sandwiches.  We’d been there >about 15 minutes when two other hikers came along.  Anyway, the dog rushed over >to them, barking loudly and in a not-very-friendly way.  She didn’t respond the >first time we called her – it took a couple of tries before she finally came >back.  And this from a dog who never barks in the house, even when the >downstairs neighbours make noise!

:  I don’t want a guard dog Your dog is being protective of you. She probably will not bite unless severely aggravated by an attacker ,but you should praise her for her protective instincts because you may need it someday,(the world being what it is).If everyone knows you have a protective dog they are less likely to harm you when you are on your nightime walks.     females in my experience are always the best protectors, I think it is the mother instinct. Yopu have a GOOD dog there. If she growls or barks at your husband when not recognizing him , this is normal as she percieved him to be a threat. The same with the other campers.     The barking signifys that she is aware of their presence and not to fool with her people. Once she has warned you you can tell her to keep quiet and tell her its ok with a pat and words, IF there is no immediate threat.     I had a female Black Lab(female) that was the ultimate in protection, yet an excellent family dog. You have a good animal there and I would not discourage her from doing her instinctive duty.Just let her know when you have been warned and tell her to cease and desist. Even so when she calms down she will always keep an eye on the strangers. I repeat. An excellent dog and companion,and she may have bonded to you more than your husband and therefore the protective mode goes into action.. but she will protect your husband as well if he is alone with her. Cheers,. Ed.Ontario. Canada

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Hi, I have a question concerning my dog’s behaviour, but let me give you some background first.  In February we adopted a 6 month old female labrador mix from the SPCA.  She was pretty unruly when we first got her, but we’ve been going to training classes ever since, and she’s now learned to walk to heel on and off leash, sit, stay, lie down, stand, come, and so on.  In fact, we’ve had so much fun at the classes that we’re going on to more advanced stuff, and hope to progress to competition level eventually!  I’m very proud of her. While she’s a mix (labrador/Irish setter), she looks and acts just like a labrador – she’s very friendly and tolerant, loves kids, and is high energy.   We live in a 2nd floor apartment, so she doesn’t have direct access to a fenced yard, but she gets a minimum of 4 miles of walks a day, and usually more, plus half-hour playtimes in the park or a nearby woodland three or four times a week, and a long hike in the mountains on  weekends.  Not to mention the practice sessions for our obedience classes!  We feel we’re meeting her exercise needs, since she isn’t destructive in the house.  I work from home, so she’s almost always with me, and my husband occasionally works home too.  The dog sleeps in her crate, isn’t allowed on the furniture (although she’s sometimes invited to sit on someone’s lap), and works for all her treats and for her dinner:  she has to fetch the newspaper, practice an obedience move, or do one of the many tricks she’s learned (roll over, shake hands, etc.).   Nothing’s free! She’s still boistrous when visitors arrive at home – everyone gets a very exuberant and friendly welcome – but we’re working on this by keeping her on a leash every time we answer the door, and making sure no-one pays attention to her until she’s sitting quietly.  She occasionally has a "mad five minutes" when she gets over excited – this involves rushing around at high speed, grumbling and barking. In terms of personality, she’s fairly middle-of-the-road – not too submissive, not too dominant.  On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being very submissive and 10 being very dominant, I’d say she was a 5 or maybe a 6.  This is a nice dog with a lovely nature. Now, here’s the thing:  last week, I took her out for a walk around 11 at night.  In fact, we were meeting my husband, who was walking home from work.   We’d arranged to meet at a particular corner, and he was waiting for us.  It was very dark, and admittedly he did look a bit threatening, standing in the shadows under a street lamp.  Anyway, as we approached the dog saw him but didn’t recognize him.  She planted herself firmly between me and him, her hair stood on end and she began to growl in a VERY threatening way.  We were amazed – she’d never done anything remotely like that before.  Of course, as soon as my husband said her name, she recognized him and rushed over for the usual greeting (licking of hands, rubbing against legs, lying down for a belly rub – the dog, that is, not the husband). The following weekend we took her hiking in the mountains.  Around lunchtime we stopped in a clearing near a stream to eat our sandwiches.  We’d been there about 15 minutes when two other hikers came along.  Anyway, the dog rushed over to them, barking loudly and in a not-very-friendly way.  She didn’t respond the first time we called her – it took a couple of tries before she finally came back.  And this from a dog who never barks in the house, even when the downstairs neighbours make noise! My question is this:  I don’t want a guard dog.  I deliberately chose a labrador mix (the other part of the mix is an Irish Setter) because I wanted a friendly, outgoing dog.  Is there anything I can do to stop this protective behaviour before it becomes the norm?  Might I be doing something to cause it?  Or am I just over-reacting – is it a normal canine behaviour, or an adolescent behaviour, that isn’t likely to get any worse? Any insights you might have would be much appreciated.  Thanks in advance. Christine

Response:

 Christine- did you think for a moment what MIGHT have happened if you were out late walking your dog, and that strange man she didn’t recongnize was NOT your husband? What if those campers were not just a nice couple out for a walk?  At just 6 months, I’d have to say that you have a very perceptive, protective pup. You’re doing just fine with her training by the sound of things. Keep her on leash in public. Continue her training.  She sounds like an excellent dog. Please keep my address. If you ever feel that you’d rather have a dog who was oblivious to strange men in scary places, call me. I would be happy to adopt her.

: Hi, : I have a question concerning my dog’s behaviour, but let me give you some : background first.  In February we adopted a 6 month old female labrador mix : from the SPCA.  She was pretty unruly when we first got her, but we’ve been : going to training classes ever since, and she’s now learned to walk to heel on : and off leash, sit, stay, lie down, stand, come, and so on.  In fact, we’ve had : so much fun at the classes that we’re going on to more advanced stuff, and hope : to progress to competition level eventually!  I’m very proud of her. : While she’s a mix (labrador/Irish setter), she looks and acts just like a : labrador – she’s very friendly and tolerant, loves kids, and is high energy.   : We live in a 2nd floor apartment, so she doesn’t have direct access to a fenced : yard, but she gets a minimum of 4 miles of walks a day, and usually more, plus : half-hour playtimes in the park or a nearby woodland three or four times a : week, and a long hike in the mountains on  weekends.  Not to mention the : practice sessions for our obedience classes!  We feel we’re meeting her : exercise needs, since she isn’t destructive in the house.  I work from home, so : she’s almost always with me, and my husband occasionally works home too.  The : dog sleeps in her crate, isn’t allowed on the furniture (although she’s : sometimes invited to sit on someone’s lap), and works for all her treats and : for her dinner:  she has to fetch the newspaper, practice an obedience move, or : do one of the many tricks she’s learned (roll over, shake hands, etc.).   : Nothing’s free! : She’s still boistrous when visitors arrive at home – everyone gets a very : exuberant and friendly welcome – but we’re working on this by keeping her on a : leash every time we answer the door, and making sure no-one pays attention to : her until she’s sitting quietly.  She occasionally has a "mad five minutes" : when she gets over excited – this involves rushing around at high speed, : grumbling and barking. : In terms of personality, she’s fairly middle-of-the-road – not too submissive, : not too dominant.  On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being very submissive and 10 : being very dominant, I’d say she was a 5 or maybe a 6.  This is a nice dog with : a lovely nature. : Now, here’s the thing:  last week, I took her out for a walk around 11 at : night.  In fact, we were meeting my husband, who was walking home from work.   : We’d arranged to meet at a particular corner, and he was waiting for us.  It : was very dark, and admittedly he did look a bit threatening, standing in the : shadows under a street lamp.  Anyway, as we approached the dog saw him but : didn’t recognize him.  She planted herself firmly between me and him, her hair : stood on end and she began to growl in a VERY threatening way.  We were amazed : – she’d never done anything remotely like that before.  Of course, as soon as : my husband said her name, she recognized him and rushed over for the usual : greeting (licking of hands, rubbing against legs, lying down for a belly rub – : the dog, that is, not the husband). : The following weekend we took her hiking in the mountains.  Around lunchtime we : stopped in a clearing near a stream to eat our sandwiches.  We’d been there : about 15 minutes when two other hikers came along.  Anyway, the dog rushed over : to them, barking loudly and in a not-very-friendly way.  She didn’t respond the : first time we called her – it took a couple of tries before she finally came : back.  And this from a dog who never barks in the house, even when the : downstairs neighbours make noise! : My question is this:  I don’t want a guard dog.  I deliberately chose a : labrador mix (the other part of the mix is an Irish Setter) because I wanted a : friendly, outgoing dog.  Is there anything I can do to stop this protective : behaviour before it becomes the norm?  Might I be doing something to cause it? :  Or am I just over-reacting – is it a normal canine behaviour, or an adolescent : behaviour, that isn’t likely to get any worse? : Any insights you might have would be much appreciated.  Thanks in advance. : Christine

Response:

: My question is this:  I don’t want a guard dog. : Is there anything I can do to stop this protective : behaviour before it becomes the norm? She’s reacting out of fear.  Remember that dogs’ sight is very different from ours – mostly movement and shapes.  When they are startled by unexpected movement they often percieve it as a threat.  That isn’t a bad thing, and you can easily control it by your reactions.  Simply touch her and calmly tell her it is okay.  If you get anxious/upset by her reaction and correct her harshly, you’ll reconfirm her feeling that there is something to be anxious about.  Most dogs will happily take your word for it that you’ve evaluated the threat and they don’t have to do the job. Lynn K. —

Response:

It sounds like perfectly normal dog behavior to me. It’s instinctive. You are considered members of her ‘pack’ and she’s protecting her pack. I have two very sweet, lovely dogs. One is a Golden Retriever/Corgi mix and the other is a collie mix. Both are wonderful with little children and toddlers. They are by no means, ‘guard dogs.’ When the meter man comes into our back yard, they go ballistic, they growl & bark and their fur stands on end. One time when my 12 yr old son was in the car with Kandy (the Golden Retriever/Corgi dog), some guy approached the car whom we didn’t know and Kandy growled, snarled, beared her teeth and barked like crazy. The guy nervously smiled, waved ‘bye’ and backed away very quickly. It gives me a feeling of security to know the dogs would protect my kids. You’ve got a good dog, there. Irish Setters and Labs are wonderful dogs. Take care. Angelfish http://www.fastlane.net./~sburrell/artpage.htm

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>Is there anything I can do to stop this protective >behaviour before it becomes the norm?  Might I be doing something to cause it?

She is probably fine, but I would take some precautions. First, if you get nervous when she is around other people (worrying if she will bark), she will get more nervous, not less. So, take her out a lot where she will see lots of people, so she will learn who to like and trust and who not to, keep calm and relaxed with her and encourage her to have fun. If she gets a bit riled when she really shouldn’t, laugh at her and tell her she is silly. Have her meet the people and, if they are willing, have them give her treats. Let her know that you are not worried and that you are in charge of things and she will relax a bit. I have had a couple of fairly protective English Setters over the years – one that was a bit of a problem – but she shouldn’t have too much of that in her. Maybe you could keep her on a long line when camping and use it to get her attention if she gets protective, but just remember not to get worried and reel her in at every approach – she could see this as you being worried about the people, not about her behavior! That would make her worse… Carwyn Silky Terriers http://www.agritel.net/~cdunster

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I don’t want a guard dog Why do you insist that having an agressive dog is good.  A protection dog is not one that tthinks everyone it comes in contact with is a threat.  A well trained protection dog, ONLY reacts on command from the owner..NEVER of its own free will. You have not even seen the dog..How do you know it isn’t acting out of fear and insecurity. I suggest again this dog needs to be socialised, and desensitized to being weary of strangers.  U do need to carry out obedience training. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->stood on end and she began to growl in a VERY threatening way.  We were > amazed >- she’d never done anything remotely like that before.  Of course, as soon > as >my husband said her name, she recognized him and rushed over for the usual >greeting (licking of hands, rubbing against legs, lying down for a belly > rub – >the dog, that is, not the husband). >The following weekend we took her hiking in the mountains.  Around > lunchtime we >stopped in a clearing near a stream to eat our sandwiches.  We’d been there >about 15 minutes when two other hikers came along.  Anyway, the dog rushed > over >to them, barking loudly and in a not-very-friendly way.  She didn’t respond > the >first time we called her – it took a couple of tries before she finally > came >back.  And this from a dog who never barks in the house, even when the >downstairs neighbours make noise! > :  I don’t want a guard dog > Your dog is being protective of you. She probably will not bite unless > severely aggravated by an attacker ,but you should praise her for her > protective instincts because you may need it someday,(the world being what > it is).If everyone knows you have a protective dog they are less likely to > harm you when you are on your nightime walks. >     females in my experience are always the best protectors, I think it is > the mother instinct. Yopu have a GOOD dog there. If she growls or barks at > your husband when not recognizing him , this is normal as she percieved him > to be a threat. The same with the other campers. >     The barking signifys that she is aware of their presence and not to fool > with her people. Once she has warned you you can tell her to keep quiet and > tell her its ok with a pat and words, IF there is no immediate threat. >     I had a female Black Lab(female) that was the ultimate in protection, > yet an excellent family dog. You have a good animal there and I would not > discourage her from doing her instinctive duty.Just let her know when you > have been warned and tell her to cease and desist. Even so when she calms > down she will always keep an eye on the strangers. I repeat. An excellent > dog and companion,and she may have bonded to you more than your husband and > therefore the protective mode goes into action.. but she will protect your > husband as well if he is alone with her. > Cheers,. > Ed.Ontario. Canada

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