A dog & canine forum. DogBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » DogBanter forum » Dog forums » Dog behavior
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Startle Response



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old December 21st 07, 03:43 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
shelly
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 6,155
Default Startle Response

I scared the hell out of Harriet last night. She was standing in
the dining room, concentrating mightily on telekinetically opening
the door to the food cupboard. I came around the corner and
startled her so badly that she yelped like she'd been kicked and
spun around to face me.

As soon as she realized it was me, she started growling and barking
at me. I swear, it was like she was telling me off for freaking her
out. Fair enough, I think. (And no, the growling and barking were
*not* aggressive. She was just giving me a colossal sassing. My
mom used to do the same thing, when we were kids. Whenever we'd
scare her, she'd get really pissed off. It was the only time she
ever yelled at us.)

And then, she followed up by having a crazy case of mad zoomies
around the apartment. I guess an adrenaline rush'll do that to ya'!

Anyway, I've never seen a dog yelp from being startled. Also, I'm
happy to report that there was no expelling of bodily fluids! There
was a time when scaring her would have meant a clean-up in aisle 7.

--
Shelly
http://www.cat-sidh.net (the Mother Ship)
http://esther.cat-sidh.net (Letters to Esther)
  #2  
Old December 21st 07, 04:13 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Suja
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,483
Default Startle Response


"Shelly" wrote in message:

I came around the corner and
startled her so badly that she yelped like she'd been kicked and
spun around to face me.


She may have to have her 'Dog' designation revoked. Aren't they supposed to
have super-duper hearing or something?

Anyway, I've never seen a dog yelp from being startled.


Pan has, on occasion, startled herself and yelped. The kinda stuff where
she'd step on a stick wrong, it would jump up, and she'd jump out of her
skin, screaming. Mind you, this is my "smart" dog.

Also, I'm
happy to report that there was no expelling of bodily fluids! There
was a time when scaring her would have meant a clean-up in aisle 7.


That's good news. I did not know that she would in fact get scared enough
to lose control in that manner.

Suja


  #3  
Old December 21st 07, 04:21 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
shelly
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 6,155
Default Startle Response

Suja wrote:

She may have to have her 'Dog' designation revoked. Aren't they supposed to
have super-duper hearing or something?


She's always been that way. She has amazing hyper focus, to the
point where she's unaware of anything but what she's focusing on.
And though her hearing has always been fine (just try crinkling a
chip bag at the other end of the house), she's oblivious to a lot of
noises. She just tunes out, I think. A friend calls her "useless,"
because she doesn't even respond to the door.

The funny thing, though, is that she has no startle response at all
when she's sleeping. Some dogs get upset when you wake them, or
when you touch them while they're sleeping. Not Harriet. You can
push, prod, poke, pick up, roll over, shove, etc. and she's not the
least bit bothered by it.

Pan has, on occasion, startled herself and yelped. The kinda stuff where
she'd step on a stick wrong, it would jump up, and she'd jump out of her
skin, screaming. Mind you, this is my "smart" dog.


Poor Pan!

Harriet's done that a time or two. Just a small yelp, though, and
I've only seen her do it in response to a physical stimulus.

That's good news. I did not know that she would in fact get scared enough
to lose control in that manner.


She's always lost bladder control when frightened or startled, and
when I first got her, she'd lose bowel control, too. Fun times!
This is probably the most startled I've ever seen her, though, and
there were no leakages.

--
Shelly
http://www.cat-sidh.net (the Mother Ship)
http://esther.cat-sidh.net (Letters to Esther)
  #4  
Old December 21st 07, 05:36 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
tiny dancer[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 237
Default Startle Response


"Shelly" wrote in message
...
snipped
Anyway, I've never seen a dog yelp from being startled.



The only time I've seen something similar was when my elderly Murphy was
going deaf. I startled her once while she was asleep. After that I learned
ways to always let her know I was *around*, so it wouldn't happen again.



  #5  
Old December 21st 07, 05:44 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
shelly
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 6,155
Default Startle Response

tiny dancer wrote:

The only time I've seen something similar was when my elderly Murphy was
going deaf.


Definitely not a problem with Harriet.

I startled her once while she was asleep. After that I learned
ways to always let her know I was *around*, so it wouldn't happen again.


Also not a problem with Harriet. Then again, whenever possible, she
chooses to sleep *on* me, so she's used to being touched while she
sleeps.

--
Shelly
http://www.cat-sidh.net (the Mother Ship)
http://esther.cat-sidh.net (Letters to Esther)
  #6  
Old December 21st 07, 06:32 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
shelly
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 6,155
Default Startle Response

montana wildhack wrote:

One has nothing to do with the other, although you have given anecdotal
reports regarding poking and prodding Harriet while she is asleep with
no reaction.


Poking, prodding, petting, ear rubbing (and twirling)... I figure,
if you're going to use me as a pillow, then there is a price to pay.
Therefore, the "sleeping on" and the "doesn't startle" are linked
by the "physical harassment."

Bella prefers the pelvis-crushing sleep position, but let me tap her for
crippling me and she can startle. Beanie reacts to nothing but a little
shove with a foot alerts her that she must rethink using my legs as a
pillow.


You are blessed. No, really. Some dogs choose not to wake up, no
matter what. Please see below.

You'd think I would have suffocation nightmares...


http://groups.google.com/group/rec.pets.dogs.behavior/msg/68d814656f871085

I'm just sayin'...

--
Shelly
http://www.cat-sidh.net (the Mother Ship)
http://esther.cat-sidh.net (Letters to Esther)
  #7  
Old December 21st 07, 06:36 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
tiny dancer[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 237
Default Startle Response


"montana wildhack" wrote in message
news:2007122112255050073-montana@wildhackcominvalid...
On 2007-12-21 11:44:53 -0500, Shelly said:

Then again, whenever possible, she chooses to sleep *on* me, so she's
used to being touched while she sleeps.


One has nothing to do with the other, although you have given anecdotal
reports regarding poking and prodding Harriet while she is asleep with
no reaction.



Murphy also always slept with me and was accustomed to my touching her in
her sleep. Being *deaf* is a whole different thing, resulting in different
responses IMO.

td


  #8  
Old December 21st 07, 06:41 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
shelly
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 6,155
Default Startle Response

tiny dancer wrote:

Being *deaf* is a whole different thing, resulting in different
responses IMO.


Probably true, which is why it's apples and kumquats.

--
Shelly
http://www.cat-sidh.net (the Mother Ship)
http://esther.cat-sidh.net (Letters to Esther)
  #9  
Old December 21st 07, 06:51 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Marcel Beaudoin
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 703
Default Startle Response

in rec.pets.dogs.behavior, montana wildhack
wrote in
news:200712211245448930-montana@wildhackcominvalid:

On 2007-12-21 12:32:54 -0500, Shelly said:

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.p...sg/68d814656f8
71085

I'm just sayin'...


I hear you. Bella is so pleased, each and every night, to throw
herself down on my pelvis and push as hard as she can for a kind of
oneness...

We are training her to sleep in a ball between us next to back or neck
pressure points. She is not always cooperative.


Before we consistently had a little girl sleeping in between us, when
Moogli was allowd to sleep on the bed (and not in his crate) he would
consistently be pressed as tight as possible against Gen's bottom (under
the covers). Since Emilie has started sleeping in between us, he sleeps at
my feet.


--
Marcel Beaudoin and Moogli
  #10  
Old December 21st 07, 07:00 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
tiny dancer[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 237
Default Startle Response


"Marcel Beaudoin" wrote in message
. 1.4...
snipped
Before we consistently had a little girl sleeping in between us, when
Moogli was allowd to sleep on the bed (and not in his crate) he would
consistently be pressed as tight as possible against Gen's bottom (under
the covers). Since Emilie has started sleeping in between us, he sleeps at
my feet.


So where is Sofia sleeping?


td




--
Marcel Beaudoin and Moogli



 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Hasbro's response Janet B Dog breeds 1 September 15th 06 08:30 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:23 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.2.0 (Unauthorized Upgrade)
Copyright ©2004-2024 DogBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.