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#1
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Lab Protective Behavior?
I recently adopted a 2 year old black lab, named Reagan, from the local animal
shelter. Everything has gone very well (with the exception of a little Kennel Cough). I was able to quickly train him to walk on a short leash, and I was able to build on previous training of sit, shake, down, and come. Reagan still wants to chase some things outside of the yard, however, with a quick stop command he obeys. Altogether, I believe that our relationship has progressed remarkably well and relatively quickly. All that being said, last night we were in the front yard (without a leash), when the Pizza man came. It was dark and I was talking to the delivery man before he came into the yard. However, when the delivery man came within arms reach of me, Reagan let loose with a series of deep barks and began posturing around the two of us. Reagan did not calm down until after I escorted the guy back to his car. Obviously, we will be using a leash until this behavior has been addressed and shaped. Reagan is not a barker; only at the animal shelter and in a kennel at the vets office have I ever heard him bark. Nor is he aggressive. Even with the confrontation last night, he did not bite or lung at the terrified delivery man. Was this an attempt to protect me from the strange man he did not know? Did the fact that it was dark outside have something to do with it? Any thoughts on the matter would be appreciated. Trey |
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"Rherroniii" wrote in message
... Obviously, we will be using a leash until this behavior has been addressed and shaped. Reagan is not a barker; only at the animal shelter and in a kennel at the vets office have I ever heard him bark. Nor is he aggressive. Even with the confrontation last night, he did not bite or lung at the terrified delivery man. Was this an attempt to protect me from the strange man he did not know? Did the fact that it was dark outside have something to do with it? Any thoughts on the matter would be appreciated. Probably both. Something I've noticed in many rescue dogs is unexpected, seemingly unprovoked, displays of aggressive behavior born of uncertainty. In other words, my assumption of this kind of initial behavior (in total absence of the dog actually biting), is that due to everything in the dog's world being uncertain at the moment, he is not sure how to react to new people so he falls back on his defense mechanism. With his prior home gone, having stayed in a shelter environment, now moved into a new home, he's still trying to get his bearings. To put a human spin on it, I think of it like "ok, I know this is my new person and I like this person, I *don't* know this other person and whether or not I should like him so I'm going to warn him off and play it safe." This behavior diminishes and also completely disappears in alot dogs after they've settled in well. For some dogs it doesn't and its more a set part of the dog's reaction response. You'll just have to figure out which one it is as time goes by. I've known several Labs who were very aggressive reacting to strangers, particularly delivery men, but then I've known several who weren't. -- Tara |
#3
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Thanks to those that responded with sincerity. I plan on working more
distractions and "strangers" into the training environment as Reagan settles in more. The thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated. Trey |
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#5
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He was
very good about standing down if I told him everything was ok. He could go from fearsome beast to propeller tail in about five seconds. He also was only protective around adult males. I'd work on the stand down part of his behavior. Could you go into detail as to how you trained your dog to 'stand down'. I want to be able to let my dog know when it's okay to watch out for strangers and when it's okay for her to relax. --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.788 / Virus Database: 533 - Release Date: 11/1/04 |
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You mentioned "last night". Was it dark out when the Pizza guy came? My 18
week old lab X (SPCA rescue) is good with people and very calm in nature. The other night, when it was dark, we had just returned from a walk and a neighbor suddenly came around the side of our house (shortcut to walking trail is via our back yard) My pup took one look and let out a huge yelp and ran for the door, tail between the legs. The only other time he has done this was also at night, when I startled him by stepping out from behind a tree. I know that a dog's eyesight is not the best and I think he was frightened by an unidentifiable looming presence in a place he usually felt quite safe. "Rherroniii" wrote in message ... I recently adopted a 2 year old black lab, named Reagan, from the local animal shelter. Everything has gone very well (with the exception of a little Kennel Cough). I was able to quickly train him to walk on a short leash, and I was able to build on previous training of sit, shake, down, and come. Reagan still wants to chase some things outside of the yard, however, with a quick stop command he obeys. Altogether, I believe that our relationship has progressed remarkably well and relatively quickly. All that being said, last night we were in the front yard (without a leash), when the Pizza man came. It was dark and I was talking to the delivery man before he came into the yard. However, when the delivery man came within arms reach of me, Reagan let loose with a series of deep barks and began posturing around the two of us. Reagan did not calm down until after I escorted the guy back to his car. Obviously, we will be using a leash until this behavior has been addressed and shaped. Reagan is not a barker; only at the animal shelter and in a kennel at the vets office have I ever heard him bark. Nor is he aggressive. Even with the confrontation last night, he did not bite or lung at the terrified delivery man. Was this an attempt to protect me from the strange man he did not know? Did the fact that it was dark outside have something to do with it? Any thoughts on the matter would be appreciated. Trey |
#8
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"Pam" wrote in message ... Could you go into detail as to how you trained your dog to 'stand down'. I want to be able to let my dog know when it's okay to watch out for strangers and when it's okay for her to relax. i taught my dog to "stand down" by standing next to him, looking at what he was barking at, and saying, "thank you, good boy". at first, i'd have him follow me to the kitchen for a treat. after a while, i stopped having to be next to him or look at what he was so excited about. now i can usually just say, "thank you", and he'll stop. if his excitement is predatory, rather than protective. it's pretty hard to get him to be quiet if he sees a rabbit in the yard. :-) -kelly |
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