Why did Gigi bark so intensely at the door? Baby due in five weeks. Just five weeks. Then they will have friends and health visitor calling to see the baby. If that happened today it would be a noisy problem. They may be unable to talk due to Cavachon Gigi’s Read more
When Bo erupts into barking as soon as the bell rings, is he being territorial — or overwhelmed by a chain of sounds that signal something worrying is about to happen? Bo reacts with fearful barking when a guest visits their flat. Bo has lived with the couple since he Read more
When a dog suddenly becomes highly alert and barks at every passer-by, could the behaviour simply be something she has learned from other dogs? Working Cocker Spaniel Lottie has a rather unusual living situation. It all started very well when she was a puppy, but then things changed. As she Read more
The less compliant and obedient a dog is, the more a frustrated owner may intensify his or her approach. They repeat commands with a crescendo until they are shouting. This may intimidate some dogs into being obedient.
Why does a small dog bark, growl or snap when people reach out to touch her?
Rusti is a tiny 13-month-old Miniature Dachshund. She is wary of people. Too often an approaching person means a large hand over her head.
She looks so cute people feel compelled to touch her.
Both having him in the garden unsupervised and barking at people from the windows mean that he is rehearsing the very behaviour that they don’t want. It’s being constantly practised – so it can only increase.
Socialisation of the right kind
They did carry him about to meet people but he shook with fear. It’s common to think that the puppy simply needs more exposure but the opposite is often the case. The experiences were negative for him.
Why would a dog that is friendly off lead become frantic and fearful on walks?
Belle was found with her siblings, at just a few weeks old, by the roadside. From the beginning,, in her loving home, the Whippet mix was a scared and nervous puppy – in total contrast to their two Labradors.
When someone comes into the house the scared dog will leap onto the lady’s lap for reassurance.
Belle is now three years old and the behaviours her fear generates are hard for her family to deal with. She is extremely jumpy and scared of many everyday household things.
It’s easy to get cross with too much barking when one seems powerless to stop it.
The main message for helping Belle is for them to consider the emotions that cause her behaviours and deal with them instead of trying to stop the actions themselves. It can help to translate it into human terms. For instance, they wouldn’t scold a child who was crying due to fear. They would address the fear itself. (more…)
It’s like French Bulldog Percy has three different personalities and three different ways of behaving. Percy the territorial and protective barker, Percy the dog worried by other dogs when on lead and Percy the friendly pet.
Why would a young Dachshund seem antisocial with dogs and people, yet suddenly switch to being friendly?
His young lady owner refers to him as antisocial – towards other dogs in particular.
Gunther is yet another young dog that has lacked the right kind of early socialisation or sufficient habituation. He should have encountered a variety of people, other dogs and been exposed to life in general during the second, third and fourth months of his life – before he came. It’s little wonder he’s antisocial at times.
The 8-month-old Dachshund I met wanted to be friendly but he’s torn between friendliness and fearfulness. He barked at me for a while before, quite suddenly, becoming my best friend. (more…)