Why might a dog suddenly attack when someone stands up or walks away?
Two-year-old Sosa’s previous home was with a German Shepherd. The two didn’t get on. The young couple got him from Boston Terrier Rescue (US) six months ago.
The problem is not uncommon and often with the man.
At one moment the little dog seems to be the best of friends with the young man, and the next he attacks him. Unpredictable.
Walking away but only under certain circumstances
Sosa doesn’t like people walking out on him. Most of all, he doesn’t like the young man standing up and walking away from him.
It’s not always nor every time. Certain circumstances make this more likely.
Firstly, it’s unlikely to happen early in the day when Sosa is at his calmest. If the young lady is in the room and it’s in the evening, it is most likely. If she is anywhere in the house it can happen. If the lady is out of the house it never happens.
So what exactly does happen?
The young man could simply stand up. Sosa will jump up, barking and snarling he will run after him and jump on the back of his legs. He nips him.
It’s worst when the man is carrying something – even his mobile phone.
The puzzle is that very often the two have been playing immediately beforehand and he’s excited. The two seem very close.
Sosa never does this behaviour with the young lady. Why?
The dog reflects the human.
The young man needs to be calmer in general. He is enthusiastic and playful; he loves his dog and has boisterous fun. This is lovely but leaves Sosa over-aroused. The dog knows that when the man is home from work in the evening, the more he demands exciting play, the more he gets.
It’s the same with petting. The two are very loving with each other.
Every time Sosa wants fuss or play he gets it. But when the man gets up to walk away, the dog could be thinking ‘hmm, I never asked you to do that!’.
I suggest that he calms down the kind of play he offers. Instead of stirring him up with arousing, exciting games, he can now offer hunting and brain games. Calm activities especially in the evening.
He could be just a little more aloof perhaps and not always at the dog’s beck and call. He could be trying too hard.
So what can they do?
Firstly, the young man will set the calmer example. A clicker training approach could help as it would concentrate the little dog’s mind.
They need to break a habit now. A useful exercise would be for the couple to be sitting on the sofa. The lady take hold of Sosa’s collar. The man slowly stand up while she feeds Susa. He can stand up and sit down many times. Next he can add turning away before sitting back down. Then walking away, and then holding something etc. etc.
With constant feeding the little dog should be counter-conditioned. A calmer relationship with the young man is essential for Susa to change this behaviour.
We discussed various activities including how they feed him. Things that will help to calm him down rather that stoke him up. We also looked at a couple of other things that will affect the little dog’s state of mind. Possible problems when he’s left alone and reactivity to other dogs on walks.
I had some very nice feedback from our consultation. ‘Talking with you today was exceptionally informative, and we feel much better equipped to help our pup, Sosa, develop some healthier habits. We look forward to implementing the strategies you’ve taught us, and we will of course keep you posted on how the process goes.’
