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Subject: This is tricky - need some guidance here!

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Mitzy's Mom

PAWesome

08/14/2007 6:06 PM
Ok, Skipper is usually wonderful with people, very submissive. But 3 times he's growled. 1. When we were all walking thru the park and some boys (10-12 yr. old) bent on mischief raced up behind us to scare the dogs...Skipper whipped around and charged them growling and barking. 2. When a older man talking to me reached to pet Skipper (I was holding him) but "accidentally" touched my chest...I think Skipper felt my unease...he growled at him. 3. Tonight when we were walking and a woman and boy (about 13-15 yr. old) walked toward us....the boy raised his arms and made "monster" sounds at Skipper to scare him and Skipper growled at him. So, here's the question....theoretically a dog should never growl at a human BUT in each of these situations Skipper sensed aggression from the person. What should my reaction be to Skipper at these times?

Mary Beth, mom to the Lollipop Kids Georgia Foster Mom, www.newrattitude.org Pics of my current fosters: http://imageevent.com/newrattitude/caradoc http://imageevent.com/newrattitude/willow http://imageevent.com/newrattitude/fiona

Lucy's Colleen

Bratty Ratty

08/14/2007 6:17 PM
Well first of all, why on earth are people trying to scare your dogs? I think it's reasonable for him to growl in these situations. I'm sure not ideal, but not uncalled for. The only one I would really worry about is the second situation, but that's a tough one because he sensed your emotions. I guess I would try to tell him "no" when he does this.

Colleen Flickr account: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7797281@N05/

DaisysMom

Moderator
<b>Moderator</b>

08/14/2007 6:32 PM
Yeah, this is tricky. I'm not sure what to advise. It seems reasonable, I guess in these situations that Skipper is being either protective of you and "the girls" or reacting to a perceived threat. Hmmmm....

Tracey - Darlin' Daisy's Mom

tauney4

Pack Leader

08/14/2007 9:27 PM
i would say really nothing and tell him it is ok and they will not hurt you. mommy will protect you !!!!!!!!!

BonitaKaz

Bratty Ratty

08/15/2007 12:26 AM
I agree. He's not doing anything really bad. Any person with a brain should know better than to do that with a dog. They threatened him or you, he responds. I wouldn't praise him, but I don't think I'd discourage him either unless it was like really in attack mode. It seems to me that he's just letting them know what's up.

Bonita Mom to Nibbler & Laika!

swatson6

Attention Starved

08/15/2007 9:37 AM
Ummmmm I am not sure either MB, but if some unknown crazy kid tried to scare him then their fault! And the man did touch your chest MB Maybe the fact that you were holding him also had something to do with it?

Sarah Mom to Jack, Jeter and foster mom to Teagan

MilliesMom

Rattie

08/16/2007 1:52 PM
That's a tough one because you don't know if the growl would be followed up with a bite. Some dogs perceive anyone walking TOWARDS them as a threat (I know Millie does) and most dogs will also protect their property (in this case. . you) if they sense a threat. With Millie she does not like people approaching her "area". That may mean our house or even when she's on our boat. Some young kids came up to her while she was leashed up on the boat and she did not like them reaching to pet her. I told them to stop and they didn't and she snapped at one of the kids. She never actually bites. . .just a quick air snap to let the person know to back off. I don't like it but I accept that's just how she is and try to work around it.

Mitzy's Mom

PAWesome

08/16/2007 2:09 PM
Hmm, well Skipper is fine with people walking towards him except for these 2 times. I do think he would bit if he was threatened enough. In the first incident I told about those kids were purposely trying to scare the dogs, maybe even grab them, even after my husband turned around once and told them to stay back from the dogs. And when Skipper went after them he meant business. Luckily hubby yelled at the boys then and they took off.

Mary Beth, mom to the Lollipop Kids Georgia Foster Mom, www.newrattitude.org Pics of my current fosters: http://imageevent.com/newrattitude/caradoc http://imageevent.com/newrattitude/willow http://imageevent.com/newrattitude/fiona

PamWh

Rattitude Problem

08/16/2007 2:36 PM
In those three cases that you described, I think I'd tell Skipper to "sic 'em."

PamWh aka Bob's Mom If your rattie ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!

jeremy

Rattie

08/16/2007 3:33 PM
Hmm, I'd have to fall in on Skipper's side too. I'd probably want my rattie to growl & bark if someone came up behind my wife suddenly in a menacing way, or made her feel uncomfotable with a touch (I realize you described an accidental touch). That's terrible that you've got people aorund trying to scare your dogs! Sheesh! I'd give them a scare back myself! It's probably a good idea to tell him "No" & to work to prevent this from developing further in him, but it sounds like a natural & healthy reaction to me.

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