I know, I really do.. territorialism doesn't start til later.. but how to explain?

[chelle]

Long ago I started a thread because I did misinterpret Bailey's behavior about visitors/strangers. I thought it might be protecting/territorialism and I was quickly shut down. And rightly so. It was a fear thing. We've worked on this extensively.

So now I have a new question, but sort of going back to this issue.

He is one week shy of nine months.

The side of my house has windows that face my long, gravel drive. There are two windows he can get full view of the driveway from.

When someone drives up, the gravel crunches and the dogs hear it. Bailey barks his big boy bark and goes to the window. He stays there and watches. Tail is still. Slightly curved up and still. Ears up. Alert. Once the person gets out of their car, and he recognizes them, his tail wags like no tomorrow. Excited, happy and the barking stops - and the whining begins as though he can't wait for them to get inside.

If he does NOT recognize them, the tail stays in this upward, curved position and the barking continues until I tell him, "It's okay, Bailey." Even then, he wants to go back to the window and check them out and let out some barks. (Usually this is some Craigslist person my dumb bf has sold a car part or something to -- total stranger. Yeah, I know I have issues in another regard with CL strangers coming to my house, eegads. )

What is he doing?

When it is some CL person out there that my bf is dealing with, I tell Bailey "it's okay" and distract him away and maybe do some training stuff and that works. He might go back to check the window, but I just tell him it's okay again and distract him a bit with "whatever" for awhile. I'm not going out there to meet some CL stranger person. Not.

The thing is, this dog *is* definitely able to tell the difference between someone he knows and someone he does not and his behavior is pretty clear about that. But is it guarding? Just being territorial? What is this and am I handling it right?

Thanks!!!!!!!

[jetscarbie]

I don't know.
Mine do this, also.

I have 2 males. The oldest will run around to each window barking if he doesn't know who it is. The youngest male and my female just stand by the one window. Neither bark, but they are both alert. I can usually tell who's here by the reaction of their tails and ears.

I kind of think my youngest male and female follow cues from the oldest male. My oldest male is territorial. It's been hard working with him to get him to calm down when people are around outside that he doesn't know. I never give him treats or toys when he's acting like that....I've always been to scared that I would be reinforcing his act. I've been working on a down with him when there are strangers outside. (my hubby's company is part of our house) I've been working on him focusing on me when he starts getting that way. It's been hard.

I'd love to read what others suggest.

[MaggieRoseLee]

To me, his behavior shows you are doing a great job.

He's not afraid of everyone and over reacting.

He's just 'telling' you when someones coming (barking at everyone), is able to recognize and be pleased when it's someone he knows, and still be watching people he does NOT know ...... (and this is the key part) while continuing to learn FROM YOU which 'new' people are ok cause you are coming to see and then behaving and telling him they are ok.

I think you just need to continue what you are doing and keep up the good work!

[Whiteshepherds]

Originally Posted by MaggieRoseLee

To me, his behavior shows you are doing a great job.

Agree!

I think this is one of those times when the handlers demeanor is really important. We taught "it's okay" too Chelle, and like you already know, it's not really a command like sit or down. It's all about you showing the dog that you're okay with what's going on, and he should be too.

[chelle]

Originally Posted by MaggieRoseLee

To me, his behavior shows you are doing a great job.

He's not afraid of everyone and over reacting.

He's just 'telling' you when someones coming (barking at everyone), is able to recognize and be pleased when it's someone he knows, and still be watching people he does NOT know ...... (and this is the key part) while continuing to learn FROM YOU which 'new' people are ok cause you are coming to see and then behaving and telling him they are ok.

I think you just need to continue what you are doing and keep up the good work!

Thank you for the reassurance. I wish it wasn't craigslist strangers and that it was a "friendly stranger" that I could actually feel comfortable inviting into the house, so we could take this a step further, but we'll just be happy with this much for now. (I sure had some big worries when he was younger and his reaction to strangers.)

Originally Posted by Whiteshepherds

Agree!

I think this is one of those times when the handlers demeanor is really important. We taught "it's okay" too Chelle, and like you already know, it's not really a command like sit or down. It's all about you showing the dog that you're okay with what's going on, and he should be too.

Thank you! I had some "practice" with this with my oldest dog, as she'd always bark at a new arrival BUT, with her, she couldn't see out the window, so she had no idea who was out there and it took her quite awhile to calm down if they never came inside. So watching Bailey's reactions, based on who it is, is really interesting.

The first "alert" barking gets me up and looking. I'll say "who is it?" I don't say "it's okay" until I go look. Then I say, "Thank you! It's okay, Bails," and try to be nonchalant and let's go back to whatever it is. Granted, he wants to go back and keep checking out the window. I let him watch, as long as he's not barking after the first round. Sometimes I stand there and watch with him, because it is a stranger from craigslist, after all .

Thanks for the feedback.