Can you explain this behavior?

[sheep]

Hi guys,

There's a behavior that I can't understand exactly why it happens, thought I categorized it as a control issue. I've seen very few dogs doing it, and there's also an episode of Dog Whisperer in which a dog does it. I'll use the example of a dog of someone I know to explain what it is.

Whenever we are in this dog's territory (the room where he eats and sleeps), if a guest tries to leave the room, he would go attack the guest. This also happened with one of the owners.
This is not common, since the most common ones would be attacking guests for entering the territory or feeling insecure during the guest's stay; and then it also happened to one of the owners.

What do you think about this kind of behavior?

[hunterisgreat]

I'd say that the person leaving (in the dogs eyes, he pushed the person into avoidance) has given the dog the confidence boost it needed to follow through with engaging, which it wanted to do all along? are the bite fast, with the canines, and rapid bite-release-barking-repeat or bite and hold firm?

[sheep]

Originally Posted by hunterisgreat

I'd say that the person leaving (in the dogs eyes, he pushed the person into avoidance) has given the dog the confidence boost it needed to follow through with engaging, which it wanted to do all along? are the bite fast, with the canines, and rapid bite-release-barking-repeat or bite and hold firm?

When you've said "the person leaving (in the dogs eyes, he pushed the person into avoidance) has given the dog the confidence boost it needed to follow through with engaging", it would seem to make sense if an owner was not involved. But it also happened to one of the owners, which is why it's a bit hard to understand. About the kind of bites, the time when he bid me (I'm a guest), it seemed an attempt to hold me and not let me get out, but he was held by one of the owners at time so all he did was a small pull of my pants (he's a small dog).
With one of the owners, I'm not sure how it was since I wasn't there, but the person said that the dog basically attacked and delivered multiple bites while jumping.

[MaggieRoseLee]

Originally Posted by hunterisgreat

I'd say that the person leaving (in the dogs eyes, he pushed the person into avoidance) has given the dog the confidence boost it needed to follow through with engaging, which it wanted to do all along? are the bite fast, with the canines, and rapid bite-release-barking-repeat or bite and hold firm?

I think that's a good guess (always guessing if we aren't there or have the whole picture). Alot of time fearful dogs only get confidence when the object of their fear turns away or is leaving. Plus is makes them feel in control as they 'chase' the person/thing away.

[sheep]

Originally Posted by MaggieRoseLee

I think that's a good guess (always guessing if we aren't there or have the whole picture). Alot of time fearful dogs only get confidence when the object of their fear turns away or is leaving. Plus is makes them feel in control as they 'chase' the person/thing away.

It would make complete sense if an owner wasn't involved, but in this case, one of the owners is being attacked from time to time. This owner is a softer one, not firm nor assertive and is afraid of the dog whenever she has to leave the room.

[hunterisgreat]

The owner being involved doesn't change what I said.

[sheep]

Originally Posted by hunterisgreat

The owner being involved doesn't change what I said.

But what you said wouldn't imply the intention of attacking before the leaving of the owner happens? Yet it doesn't seem the dog wanted to attack the owner if leaving doesn't take place.

[Freestep]

Originally Posted by sheep

It would make complete sense if an owner wasn't involved, but in this case, one of the owners is being attacked from time to time. This owner is a softer one, not firm nor assertive and is afraid of the dog whenever she has to leave the room.

So the dog likes to dominate the owner, and the owner lets it do so. The dog gets that little burst of confidence every time she walks away (leaving the room), and goes on the attack. What's to ponder about that?

[sheep]

Originally Posted by Freestep

So the dog likes to dominate the owner, and the owner lets it do so. The dog gets that little burst of confidence every time she walks away (leaving the room), and goes on the attack. What's to ponder about that?

The sentence I marked in blue doesn't make sense. Whether it's dominance or not, wouldn't it make more sense to say that the dog is controlling the owner or guest and not allowing the members of his pack to get out?

[EJQ]

Originally Posted by MaggieRoseLee

I think that's a good guess (always guessing if we aren't there or have the whole picture). Alot of time fearful dogs only get confidence when the object of their fear turns away or is leaving. Plus is makes them feel in control as they 'chase' the person/thing away.

I believe that MaggieRoseLee has it! This appears to be a fearful act. The dog has the confidence to act when the person becomes an object of "prey" and is in a position to be chased.