Deep growl at other animals

Anthony8858 · 11-02-2011, 06:07 PM

Today, I took Kira for a walk in the park. Along the way, we passed many people. Some were within inches of her, and she walked by, without even taking a peek at them. I continued this exercise at every opportunity.

However, if there was a dog, cat, or anything within site distance, she would stop dead in her walk, her tail and entire hackles along her back were raised, and she would stare with a deep growl, that I felt coming up the leash.

I realize that this behavior is not acceptable, but I didn't know how to properly correct, therefore I dismissed it for today, and did nothing but keep walking.

Kira just turned 4 months.

Suggestions are welcomed.

Paper Bat · 11-02-2011, 06:37 PM

When Titan and I are in the front yard and he barks at people walking by I give him a tug on the lead and a "leave it." He's getting better as days go on. He used to bark at everyone on both sides of the street and now it's only sometimes when people are walking on our side. Just keep working on the leave it, she'll get it eventually when she realizes there's nothing to fear.

GSDMUM · 11-02-2011, 11:47 PM

Mine also does the same thing. She is 4 months old and already had chased away the muscular pitbul from next door away fromt he fence due to insane barking and just got jealous of our 115lb elderly dog who was chewing on a ball. She growled, snarled, and started hitting him with her paws. It escalated into a loud fight and I too worry about dog agression.

Josie/Zeus · 11-03-2011, 09:48 AM

Oh wow. I have NEVER heard Odin nor Koda growl, ever. Leave it command is what I would use to stop it.

Marnie · 11-03-2011, 10:18 AM

Try teaching her 'watch me'. Start somewhere with no distractions. Keep the dog close at your side and walk around the yard. Stop and say 'watch me'. Give her a treat when she makes eye contact with you. Do it until she absolutely knows this and then start taking her to places with more distractions. The second she alerts to another animal say 'watch me' in a firm voice and give her a treat. Make a u turn and walk away from the other animal. If she looks over her shoulder do the watch me again and again.

She learns two things, to break focus with the other animal and that seeing another animal isn't scary but will usually earn her a treat.

Stosh · 11-03-2011, 03:38 PM

A lot of instincts start developing at this age- Stosh raised his fur whenever he was excited or happy, not necessarily as a reaction to other dogs. Kira has got to try all these new things out, like barking and raising her fur. You should check out leerburg.com and watch the free videos of Michael Ellis with pups

11-02-2011, 06:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
Anthony8858 Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,314	Deep growl at other animals Today, I took Kira for a walk in the park. Along the way, we passed many people. Some were within inches of her, and she walked by, without even taking a peek at them. I continued this exercise at every opportunity. However, if there was a dog, cat, or anything within site distance, she would stop dead in her walk, her tail and entire hackles along her back were raised, and she would stare with a deep growl, that I felt coming up the leash. I realize that this behavior is not acceptable, but I didn't know how to properly correct, therefore I dismissed it for today, and did nothing but keep walking. Kira just turned 4 months. Suggestions are welcomed.

11-03-2011, 09:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
Josie/Zeus Elite Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: DFW TX Posts: 1,846	Oh wow. I have NEVER heard Odin nor Koda growl, ever. Leave it command is what I would use to stop it. __________________ Alta Tollhaus "Koda" 3/18/11 currently training in PSA Rest in Peace my boys Zeus 2000-2009 Odin 2010-2011

11-02-2011, 06:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
Paper Bat New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 20	When Titan and I are in the front yard and he barks at people walking by I give him a tug on the lead and a "leave it." He's getting better as days go on. He used to bark at everyone on both sides of the street and now it's only sometimes when people are walking on our side. Just keep working on the leave it, she'll get it eventually when she realizes there's nothing to fear.

11-02-2011, 11:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
GSDMUM Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Atlanta Posts: 226	Mine also does the same thing. She is 4 months old and already had chased away the muscular pitbul from next door away fromt he fence due to insane barking and just got jealous of our 115lb elderly dog who was chewing on a ball. She growled, snarled, and started hitting him with her paws. It escalated into a loud fight and I too worry about dog agression.

11-03-2011, 10:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
Marnie Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 233	Try teaching her 'watch me'. Start somewhere with no distractions. Keep the dog close at your side and walk around the yard. Stop and say 'watch me'. Give her a treat when she makes eye contact with you. Do it until she absolutely knows this and then start taking her to places with more distractions. The second she alerts to another animal say 'watch me' in a firm voice and give her a treat. Make a u turn and walk away from the other animal. If she looks over her shoulder do the watch me again and again. She learns two things, to break focus with the other animal and that seeing another animal isn't scary but will usually earn her a treat.

11-03-2011, 03:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
Stosh Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: tyler texas Posts: 8,434	A lot of instincts start developing at this age- Stosh raised his fur whenever he was excited or happy, not necessarily as a reaction to other dogs. Kira has got to try all these new things out, like barking and raising her fur. You should check out leerburg.com and watch the free videos of Michael Ellis with pups

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