Is my puppy protecting me? - DogForum.net

MCM-AKA-GK · 09-16-2008, 06:12 AM

I know it sounds silly... but I am very curious to find out anyones opinion.

My 6 month old Shih Tzu is sitting beside my feet whilst I watch tv. Suddenly, someone walks past the window, or the dishwasher beeps to let me know it's finished, & my puppy growls & barks his head off!!!

It's not an everyday occurance, but I have learned now that if I calmly pet him to reassure him that everything is okay, he stops. However I am curious as to why he does this. Is he protecting me? Himself? Or is he just plain scared?

Any answers would help...

Thanks,

MCM

Melamaphine · 09-16-2008, 10:15 AM

It's hard to say for sure, but many dogs will bark or growl at strange noises, they do it to alert you and to let the noise know they are there.

You'll be able to tell if he's scared by his body language, if his tail is between his legs, he's cowering, or his ears are back then it is probably a fearful reaction. If he's tail up, ears forward and chest pulled up then he's confident and just being a watchdog.

My cocker spaniel barks and growls her head off at noises outside and to the outsider probably sounds really vicious, but as soon as you open the door she's all over the visitor wanting them to fuss her. I don't mind this too much. My collie on the other hand, will quietly growl at noises from behind the sofa.... she's a big wimp!

What you need to watch out for in a breed like yours is him becoming possessive of you around other people. I know quite a few small breed owners who don't see the signs of dominance aggression in their dogs and let it progress until it becomes a real problem. How are you getting on with socialisation?

April · 09-18-2008, 02:29 AM

Tilba was barking madly the other day outside. I had a look & couldn't see anything. Hubby went out & said she was barking at the garbage bin in the front driveway. When I got home I tipped it over, she hadn't seen it like that before.
The worst thing you can do when they are doing something like that is to pet them. It's only telling them it's ok. It's best to ignore it.

Sugardog · 09-18-2008, 02:45 AM

What I would do....

Have some yummy treats handy. If she starts barking at w/e, use a cue word like "thank you" or "enough" or "quiet" then use the treat to get her attention on you. Don't give her the treat until she's focused on you, just kinda stick it in front of her nose so she knows you have it and then bring it towards your fact. Try to say the cue word right when she focuses on you so she makes the connection between the word and stopping barking to give you attention. Once she realizes you have goodies, she'll stop barking. At that point, give her the treat and praise her.

Do this consistently and eventually you'll be able to use your cue word and she'll stop barking.

April · 09-18-2008, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugardog

What I would do....

Have some yummy treats handy. If she starts barking at w/e, use a cue word like "thank you" or "enough" or "quiet" then use the treat to get her attention on you. Don't give her the treat until she's focused on you, just kinda stick it in front of her nose so she knows you have it and then bring it towards your fact. Try to say the cue word right when she focuses on you so she makes the connection between the word and stopping barking to give you attention. Once she realizes you have goodies, she'll stop barking. At that point, give her the treat and praise her.

Do this consistently and eventually you'll be able to use your cue word and she'll stop barking.

Great advice, I'd forgotten about that. Then you can also put 'speak' on cue.

**skunkstripe** · 09-18-2008, 06:40 AM

I agree with Sugardog. Often when they see that you are aware of the 'danger' and are taking care of it they stop.

Monkey · 09-18-2008, 06:51 AM

I concur with sugardog too, its not good to give a dog the wrong kind of attention when it larms. If you want a calm and quiet dog ignore it period when she starts this behavior. I do with my dogs and now it takes some special sounds to make them react and that is how I want it. I don't want them to bark at people passing by etc then they might wake me up in the middle of the night. They don't bark at the door bell either which I feel is a bliss. They only bark if someone rattles the door and don't come in after 10 seconds cause they know that we have th ekey and one night when I was asleep I had forgot to lock the door and my drunk neighbour stepped off the elevator on my floor instead of his and he was having my apartment one floor up so to speak. Oh boy did he get a good welcome... *LOL* I woke up as I heard the door go SLAM. (she's a 80 lbs rott mix)... I dont like my dogs barky... but that is just me and a few examples for you to how you can make your dog react and I think it is a mix between alerting and being insecure about them sounds..

09-16-2008, 06:12 AM	#1
MCM-AKA-GK Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 9 Rep: 10 Unique Rep: 0	Is my puppy protecting me? I know it sounds silly... but I am very curious to find out anyones opinion. My 6 month old Shih Tzu is sitting beside my feet whilst I watch tv. Suddenly, someone walks past the window, or the dishwasher beeps to let me know it's finished, & my puppy growls & barks his head off!!! It's not an everyday occurance, but I have learned now that if I calmly pet him to reassure him that everything is okay, he stops. However I am curious as to why he does this. Is he protecting me? Himself? Or is he just plain scared? Any answers would help... Thanks, MCM

09-16-2008, 10:15 AM	#2
Melamaphine Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Coventry, UK Posts: 4,929 Rep: 66 Unique Rep: 30	It's hard to say for sure, but many dogs will bark or growl at strange noises, they do it to alert you and to let the noise know they are there. You'll be able to tell if he's scared by his body language, if his tail is between his legs, he's cowering, or his ears are back then it is probably a fearful reaction. If he's tail up, ears forward and chest pulled up then he's confident and just being a watchdog. My cocker spaniel barks and growls her head off at noises outside and to the outsider probably sounds really vicious, but as soon as you open the door she's all over the visitor wanting them to fuss her. I don't mind this too much. My collie on the other hand, will quietly growl at noises from behind the sofa.... she's a big wimp! What you need to watch out for in a breed like yours is him becoming possessive of you around other people. I know quite a few small breed owners who don't see the signs of dominance aggression in their dogs and let it progress until it becomes a real problem. How are you getting on with socialisation? __________________ I'am chillin' with forum thanks Bigboy and Sheplovr! I've been fleeced by Draco!

09-18-2008, 02:29 AM	#3
April Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Sydney N.S.W Posts: 3,384 Rep: 36 Unique Rep: 17	Tilba was barking madly the other day outside. I had a look & couldn't see anything. Hubby went out & said she was barking at the garbage bin in the front driveway. When I got home I tipped it over, she hadn't seen it like that before. The worst thing you can do when they are doing something like that is to pet them. It's only telling them it's ok. It's best to ignore it. __________________ Thanks to skunkstripe for my beautiful, new, siggy. I HAVE BEEN KISSED!! sheplovr. thanks "I'm chillin' with the forum! "thanx sheplovr "I've been fleeced by Draco!" thanx. http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt...k/ebe4/age.png

09-18-2008, 02:45 AM	#4
Sugardog Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,634 Rep: 96 Unique Rep: 37	What I would do.... Have some yummy treats handy. If she starts barking at w/e, use a cue word like "thank you" or "enough" or "quiet" then use the treat to get her attention on you. Don't give her the treat until she's focused on you, just kinda stick it in front of her nose so she knows you have it and then bring it towards your fact. Try to say the cue word right when she focuses on you so she makes the connection between the word and stopping barking to give you attention. Once she realizes you have goodies, she'll stop barking. At that point, give her the treat and praise her. Do this consistently and eventually you'll be able to use your cue word and she'll stop barking. __________________ I'm chillin' with the forum! Thanks Necknot and Sheplovr! I've been fleeced by Draco!

09-18-2008, 06:40 AM	#6
skunkstripe All American Dog Lover Join Date: May 2006 Location: New England USA Posts: 20,995 Rep: 359 Unique Rep: 142	I agree with Sugardog. Often when they see that you are aware of the 'danger' and are taking care of it they stop. __________________ Help us Help you! Read and understand the Terms of Service, report offensive posts and Forum Reputation. Helpful Tips - in our FAQ Section and Newbie Guide. Connect with DogForum.org members - Add yourself to the dogforum.net member map.chat with us! Things to do - Start a blog. Be sure to visit the DogForum.net photo gallery Let's see YOU! Use your computer to benefit mankind - join the DogForum.org Folding Team. Thanks Fede for the sigpic! I've been fleeced by Draco!

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Is my puppy protecting me?

09-18-2008, 06:51 AM	#7
Monkey Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: North Massapequa Posts: 9,812 Rep: 131 Unique Rep: 65	I concur with sugardog too, its not good to give a dog the wrong kind of attention when it larms. If you want a calm and quiet dog ignore it period when she starts this behavior. I do with my dogs and now it takes some special sounds to make them react and that is how I want it. I don't want them to bark at people passing by etc then they might wake me up in the middle of the night. They don't bark at the door bell either which I feel is a bliss. They only bark if someone rattles the door and don't come in after 10 seconds cause they know that we have th ekey and one night when I was asleep I had forgot to lock the door and my drunk neighbour stepped off the elevator on my floor instead of his and he was having my apartment one floor up so to speak. Oh boy did he get a good welcome... LOL I woke up as I heard the door go SLAM. (she's a 80 lbs rott mix)... I dont like my dogs barky... but that is just me and a few examples for you to how you can make your dog react and I think it is a mix between alerting and being insecure about them sounds.. __________________ I love dogs cause they do not lie. "I'm chillin' with the forum! "I've been fleeced by Draco!" "I've been fleeced by JGLI"

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