New Behavior in Kain

[RazinKain]

Within the past couple of weeks, I've noticed a new behavior in Kain that has just started to surface. It seems, that Kain does not like to be stared down by guests, even guests that he's met many times before. He does great with the introduction, but once the verbal greetings are over and the silent staring begins, Kain will let out a deep subdued growl. The growling doesn't sound like a threat, more like a verbal complaint with being stared down. I'll pat him on the head and reassure him that the guest is 'a good guy' and inform the guest to not stare at him, and all is fine for the duration of the visit. The first incident was a couple of weeks ago with a guest he has never met, then again today with someone he has met several times before. In both instances, the staring seems to be the trigger. Any ideas?

FYI - Kain is 14 mos

[CassandGunnar]

Do you hold "strong" eye contact with him when you're playing with him? He may think the guests are trying initiate play with him.
I can give Gunnar a hard stare, narrow my eyes and lean my head forward and he'll bark a "play bark" and zoom around a couple of times, coming closer and closer to me on each pass.
One of Audrey's friends has seen us doing this and she's tried it with him and he'll do the exact same thing. Bark and zoom.

[RazinKain]

Hey buddy.

Yes, when I maintain 'strong' eye contact with him, he knows the play is coming. But, his reaction to guests staring at him is completely different. He stares back at them very intently, and after a few seconds (if they don't look away), he will issue the low growl. It seems that he's just uncomfortable with being stared at by someone outside the household. I guess I'm going to have to inform all visitors to not stare at him initially.

[selzer]

Staring is a challenge.

[lrodptl]

Originally Posted by selzer

Staring is a challenge.

Thank you. Don't know why there is a need for staring. Staring and bending or moving forward doubles the intensity of the challenge. People should be careful,very careful of eye contact with other people's dogs.

[sagelfn]

When he growls don't pet him, that reinforces the behavior. Don't tell him good boy everything is fine that is coddling. Give him a command like "leave it"

Staring is a challenge. Tell people upon introduction not to do it..they probably still will because some people can't resist the urge for whatever reason. If Kain locks onto someone and is staring redirect him.

Have you been working with a trainer or behaviorist at all?

[FG167]

Originally Posted by sagelfn

When he growls don't pet him, that reinforces the behavior. Don't tell him good boy everything is fine that is coddling. Give him a command like "leave it"

Staring is a challenge. Tell people upon introduction not to do it..they probably still will because some people can't resist the urge for whatever reason. If Kain locks onto someone and is staring redirect him.

Have you been working with a trainer or behaviorist at all?

[RazinKain]

Originally Posted by sagelfn

When he growls don't pet him, that reinforces the behavior. Don't tell him good boy everything is fine that is coddling. Give him a command like "leave it"

Staring is a challenge. Tell people upon introduction not to do it..they probably still will because some people can't resist the urge for whatever reason. If Kain locks onto someone and is staring redirect him.

Have you been working with a trainer or behaviorist at all?

No. I kinda figured it was a 'challenge' thing. Something I'm gonna have to keep an eye on in the future. Thanks for all the info.

[Emoore]

Picture if your wife brought a friend and her friend's husband over, or if your child brought another child's parents for you to meet, and the man kept staring aggressively into your eyes and wouldn't break eye contact. You'd think the guy wanted to fight, no? Best case scenario, you'd ask the guy to leave. Or you might just deck the guy. Even though he's your wife's/child's guest, and even though you've been told he's "ok". Same deal. Don't let people stare into Kain's eyes unless they honestly want to fight him.

I say something to the effect of: "Looking into his eyes like that tells him that you want to fight. . . . and I'm not going to stop him." Most people will break the eye contact pretty quickly.


Also this isn't about who's "dominant" or some other Cesar Millan bullcrap. Dominance and submission is within a pack. Guests coming into your home are not part of your pack; they are outsiders coming into your pack's territory. He has to allow them because you've allowed them, but IMHO he doesn't have to put up with them spoiling for a fight. I don't allow guests to try to "dominate" my dogs or "show them who's the boss." Guess what? They're not his boss or his alpha or his anything else. I am.