My puppy has a flaw . . . advice please!

shannonrae · 11-09-2011, 01:36 AM

The problem:

I have a 13 week old male GSD pup. His name is Tober. I have had this dog in my home for 5 weeks now. He is perfect I adore him. His one flaw . . . he barks, a lot! More than any dog I have ever lived with. I was never a huge problem until tonight.

He was with me at work, he has come with me one shift per week since I have had him. I think he is anxious when I bring him to work. While I am at work he stays in a kennel, it is roomy, he is let out every 2 hours at least. He gets Kongs full of treats, exercise before we go and is never there for more than 7 hours. He gets let out to run free for about 1/2 hour every shift. When he is not with me at work he is with my boyfriend (who does not have a 40hr per week job, and is home most of the time) .

It is normal for him to bark in his kennel . . . he is improving on that front.
Tonight, he barked at my supervisors spayed female Golden Retriever. This is a dog that he always barks at when he first sees her but when off leash, he plays beautifully with her. When we fist arrived at work Tober barked at Olive (the GR). I let Tober off leash, he acted a little nervous at first. He quickly relaxed and wrestled and played with Olive. We eventually had to put the playing dogs back in their kennels.

A few hours go by, and it is time to go home. I am standing at a counter with Tober on a leash, talking to a coworker. My supervisor lets Olive out of her kennel. Olive comes barreling toward us wanting to pick up play with Tober where they had left off. Tober runs to the end of the leash (5ft?). Then he barks, a very deep "I am trying to scare you off" bark.

I am not sure what this kind of reaction means in such a young pup? Am I not being a strong enough leader? does he need more socialization with dogs?

How should I deal with this situation? Do I correct him? How?
How can I prevent this from happening? Is it dog aggression?

Feel free to answer any or all of my questions!

Just an FYI, Tober lives with two other dogs, plays with my Mothers two dogs, ignore my Dads dog, just loves my best friends Rotti and Dachshund. He respects my other friends Chow.
I have been holding off socializing him with a bunch of dogs until he gets his last Distemper vacc.
He will be enrolled in a puppy class soon. Just wary of the whole infectious disease scenario!

KZoppa · 11-09-2011, 02:05 AM

he's 13 weeks old. You have a vocal breed. GSDs are talkers. At 13 weeks old, your dog is barking at who he wants to play with, in this case the GR. The going to the end of the leash and barking could be frustration he cant go jump her and goof around. You need to work on teaching him that barking is not necessary and will be rewarded negatively IE removed from the situation that is soliciting the barking. Only when he is calm, after being removed, is he allowed back in. He barks again, again he is removed. This will take time and constant training to accomplish. Honestly, the only time I'm okay with my dogs barking is when someone is at our door at home, someone gets too close to the car or generally trespassing, alerting me to someone there or a potential threat.

Tober should learn pretty quick that barking gets him no fun where calm behavior allows for him to have some fun. It is not dog aggression. Wipe that from your mind right now. Remember he is a puppy. His entire goal in life right now is to just play play play until he drops. When he has his last distemper done and you're obviously more comfortable socializing him after thats done, step it up!! Socialize the heck out of him. Dogs, kids, everyone. I wouldnt let everyone and their mother pet him but he should be allowed to meet some. Same goes for dogs. Only allow him to meet dogs you know are safe and friendly. One negative experience with an unknown dog can set you back and cause problems.

The puppy class will help you a great deal because it will work on your bond, him being focused on you in a distracted setting. Good luck and have fun with him!

shannonrae · 11-09-2011, 02:16 AM

This was not a "I want to play" bark. It was much more deep than that. Frustration from not being able to play? Quite possibly . . .

He is not my first trip out with GSD's. I don't actually think he is aggressive. I was just trying to convey the concern that he hasn't met nearly as many dogs as people. I don't know if that is the problem. He is a celebrity at the local hospital and Lowe's.

I correct him when he barks. He must either sit, down, or go into his kennel for a while before he can play again.

dazedtrucker · 11-09-2011, 02:17 AM

Agree with Kzoppa. Axel STILL barks like a dork when meeting other dogs, whether he knows 'em or not...he's gonna bark. It has gotten better, but he just has to "talk", LOL!! I have intensly corrected him ( PLEEASEE SHUT UP!! lol!) He will try, muffled barks, n whine like a baby, he just can't help it. At parks, once he shuts up I cut him loose to play, and he is fine...he's just "vocal"

Goofy lil furbal

l

shannonrae · 11-09-2011, 02:25 AM

I usually do rescue work. This is my first healthy, bought from a breeder GSD pup. I have had dogs with serious issues. :/

It is entirely possible that I am being paranoid and am reading too much into this. I do tend to put a lot of thought in how I bring him up. He goes everywhere with me. I expose him to as many things as possible, he has yet to have a negative experience (that seemed to really affect him, obviously not everything in life is 100% positive). He is quick to bounce back from things that startle him.

Hmmmm. . .

**JakodaCD OA** · 11-09-2011, 07:25 AM

do you think he does the barking more when your at work? I know you work in a vets office right? I'm sure all the smells/goings on could have something to do with it??

Dooney's Mom · 11-09-2011, 08:35 AM

Up until about 1-2 months ago- Dooney would always (from 8weeks on) bark so "viciously" at other dogs you would think she wanted to tear them apart. Nope she just wants to play play play play, oh and did I mention play? LOL She has been socialized with LOTS of dogs.

Someone on here mentioned the LAT game- it has worked major wonders on that front for me- she still gets all excited and her hackles come up but no more "i am going to tear you to shreds" barking....

shannonrae · 11-09-2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JakodaCD OA

do you think he does the barking more when your at work? I know you work in a vets office right? I'm sure all the smells/goings on could have something to do with it??

Yes I do. He does bark more there than anywhere else. I do think he is a little stressed when I bring him to work with me anyway. I think that certainly plays a role in his behavior while there. We do not generally have any dogs barking other than Tober. He used to bark constantly while there, but that is improving.

My boyfriend goes out of state to work and is gone for a few days every couple of weeks. So I have no choice but to bring Tober to work with me when he is on a job.

I got the impression that when he was barking at Olive he was trying to tell her to back off and he felt threatened. It was not his normal "I want something" bark. But, it is entirely possible that I am wrong.

shannonrae · 11-09-2011, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dooney's Mom

Up until about 1-2 months ago- Dooney would always (from 8weeks on) bark so "viciously" at other dogs you would think she wanted to tear them apart. Nope she just wants to play play play play, oh and did I mention play? LOL She has been socialized with LOTS of dogs.

Someone on here mentioned the LAT game- it has worked major wonders on that front for me- she still gets all excited and her hackles come up but no more "i am going to tear you to shreds" barking....

What is the LAT game?

SARAHSMITH · 11-09-2011, 11:21 AM

My dog barks like mad too in those situations. In puppy school he was great off leash, but on leash barked like he wanted to fight. I guess I can't read his barks, because it was obviously a "let me off my leash so I can greet them and play" bark. He also did this with people - always on leash but not off.

11-09-2011, 01:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
shannonrae Master Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Maine Posts: 606	My puppy has a flaw . . . advice please! The problem: I have a 13 week old male GSD pup. His name is Tober. I have had this dog in my home for 5 weeks now. He is perfect I adore him. His one flaw . . . he barks, a lot! More than any dog I have ever lived with. I was never a huge problem until tonight. He was with me at work, he has come with me one shift per week since I have had him. I think he is anxious when I bring him to work. While I am at work he stays in a kennel, it is roomy, he is let out every 2 hours at least. He gets Kongs full of treats, exercise before we go and is never there for more than 7 hours. He gets let out to run free for about 1/2 hour every shift. When he is not with me at work he is with my boyfriend (who does not have a 40hr per week job, and is home most of the time) . It is normal for him to bark in his kennel . . . he is improving on that front. Tonight, he barked at my supervisors spayed female Golden Retriever. This is a dog that he always barks at when he first sees her but when off leash, he plays beautifully with her. When we fist arrived at work Tober barked at Olive (the GR). I let Tober off leash, he acted a little nervous at first. He quickly relaxed and wrestled and played with Olive. We eventually had to put the playing dogs back in their kennels. A few hours go by, and it is time to go home. I am standing at a counter with Tober on a leash, talking to a coworker. My supervisor lets Olive out of her kennel. Olive comes barreling toward us wanting to pick up play with Tober where they had left off. Tober runs to the end of the leash (5ft?). Then he barks, a very deep "I am trying to scare you off" bark. I am not sure what this kind of reaction means in such a young pup? Am I not being a strong enough leader? does he need more socialization with dogs? How should I deal with this situation? Do I correct him? How? How can I prevent this from happening? Is it dog aggression? Feel free to answer any or all of my questions! Just an FYI, Tober lives with two other dogs, plays with my Mothers two dogs, ignore my Dads dog, just loves my best friends Rotti and Dachshund. He respects my other friends Chow. I have been holding off socializing him with a bunch of dogs until he gets his last Distemper vacc. He will be enrolled in a puppy class soon. Just wary of the whole infectious disease scenario! __________________ Sydney(rescue)-Pit cross Birbo(rescue)-GSD Until we meet again . . . Bear(rescue)-GSD, my soul mate. Kai-(rescue)GSD, my forever baby. Kobie-Pomeranian, my tiniest dog with the biggest heart.

11-09-2011, 02:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
KZoppa Crowned Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Maryland kinda missing CO Posts: 13,832	he's 13 weeks old. You have a vocal breed. GSDs are talkers. At 13 weeks old, your dog is barking at who he wants to play with, in this case the GR. The going to the end of the leash and barking could be frustration he cant go jump her and goof around. You need to work on teaching him that barking is not necessary and will be rewarded negatively IE removed from the situation that is soliciting the barking. Only when he is calm, after being removed, is he allowed back in. He barks again, again he is removed. This will take time and constant training to accomplish. Honestly, the only time I'm okay with my dogs barking is when someone is at our door at home, someone gets too close to the car or generally trespassing, alerting me to someone there or a potential threat. Tober should learn pretty quick that barking gets him no fun where calm behavior allows for him to have some fun. It is not dog aggression. Wipe that from your mind right now. Remember he is a puppy. His entire goal in life right now is to just play play play until he drops. When he has his last distemper done and you're obviously more comfortable socializing him after thats done, step it up!! Socialize the heck out of him. Dogs, kids, everyone. I wouldnt let everyone and their mother pet him but he should be allowed to meet some. Same goes for dogs. Only allow him to meet dogs you know are safe and friendly. One negative experience with an unknown dog can set you back and cause problems. The puppy class will help you a great deal because it will work on your bond, him being focused on you in a distracted setting. Good luck and have fun with him! __________________ The more people I meet and talk to,the more I love my dogs and their intelligence. www.krystalscollarcreations.weebly.com Riley GSD/BC 1/10/05 Zena GSD 6/1/03 Shasta GSD 5/5/10

11-09-2011, 02:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
shannonrae Master Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Maine Posts: 606	This was not a "I want to play" bark. It was much more deep than that. Frustration from not being able to play? Quite possibly . . . He is not my first trip out with GSD's. I don't actually think he is aggressive. I was just trying to convey the concern that he hasn't met nearly as many dogs as people. I don't know if that is the problem. He is a celebrity at the local hospital and Lowe's. I correct him when he barks. He must either sit, down, or go into his kennel for a while before he can play again. __________________ Sydney(rescue)-Pit cross Birbo(rescue)-GSD Until we meet again . . . Bear(rescue)-GSD, my soul mate. Kai-(rescue)GSD, my forever baby. Kobie-Pomeranian, my tiniest dog with the biggest heart.

11-09-2011, 02:17 AM	#4 (permalink)
dazedtrucker Master Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Topeka, KS Posts: 587	Agree with Kzoppa. Axel STILL barks like a dork when meeting other dogs, whether he knows 'em or not...he's gonna bark. It has gotten better, but he just has to "talk", LOL!! I have intensly corrected him ( PLEEASEE SHUT UP!! lol!) He will try, muffled barks, n whine like a baby, he just can't help it. At parks, once he shuts up I cut him loose to play, and he is fine...he's just "vocal" Goofy lil furbal l __________________ I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do. - Edward Everett Hale

11-09-2011, 02:25 AM	#5 (permalink)
shannonrae Master Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Maine Posts: 606	I usually do rescue work. This is my first healthy, bought from a breeder GSD pup. I have had dogs with serious issues. :/ It is entirely possible that I am being paranoid and am reading too much into this. I do tend to put a lot of thought in how I bring him up. He goes everywhere with me. I expose him to as many things as possible, he has yet to have a negative experience (that seemed to really affect him, obviously not everything in life is 100% positive). He is quick to bounce back from things that startle him. Hmmmm. . . __________________ Sydney(rescue)-Pit cross Birbo(rescue)-GSD Until we meet again . . . Bear(rescue)-GSD, my soul mate. Kai-(rescue)GSD, my forever baby. Kobie-Pomeranian, my tiniest dog with the biggest heart.

11-09-2011, 07:25 AM	#6 (permalink)
JakodaCD OA Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Location: Old Lyme, CT USA Posts: 14,237	do you think he does the barking more when your at work? I know you work in a vets office right? I'm sure all the smells/goings on could have something to do with it?? __________________ Diane Danger Danger vom Kleinen Hain aka Masi "Angel" Jakoda's Bewitchen Sami CD OA OAJ OAC NGC OJC RS-O GS-N JS-O TT HIC CGC "Angel" Steinwald's Four x Four CGC HIC TT Harmonyhill's Hy Jynx NA NAJ NAC NJC RS-N JS-N HIC Jakoda's Jagged Edge

11-09-2011, 08:35 AM	#7 (permalink)
Dooney's Mom Master Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Deland, Fl Posts: 646	Up until about 1-2 months ago- Dooney would always (from 8weeks on) bark so "viciously" at other dogs you would think she wanted to tear them apart. Nope she just wants to play play play play, oh and did I mention play? LOL She has been socialized with LOTS of dogs. Someone on here mentioned the LAT game- it has worked major wonders on that front for me- she still gets all excited and her hackles come up but no more "i am going to tear you to shreds" barking.... __________________ Wendy Beaulieu's Dooney Von Pell- GSD 01/25/2011 RIP- Skye- WGSD 1991-2007 2 psycho cats- Diva & Jake

11-09-2011, 11:21 AM	#10 (permalink)
SARAHSMITH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 200	My dog barks like mad too in those situations. In puppy school he was great off leash, but on leash barked like he wanted to fight. I guess I can't read his barks, because it was obviously a "let me off my leash so I can greet them and play" bark. He also did this with people - always on leash but not off.

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