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Originally Posted by damp  Perhaps I misunderstood you... but the above episodes as posted... are signs of insecurness and you are wrong, if you think a 5 months old pup who barks, is showing signs of guarding/protection your property!
He TRIED the BEST he could to TELL you: I am uncomfortable/insecure/scared of that odd hat..... I am uncomfortable/insecure/scared of new things... I need to learn and you have to teach me how to handle this, how to react reasonable to new things and how to recover from stress! |
So since you have the diagnosis then how do I deal with this? He does fine in many other instances that would make any other dog faint -trucks, fighter jets (I am near a military training area), strangers, kids running, people jogging, etc. I have worn that hat many other times and he has cared less. I just wore it minutes ago to test him and he didn't care. Can't it have been just a one moment of "oh my God, who the heck is that?" just as any other owner above has experienced? I am sure their dogs are well trained and socialized. I can try to wear the hat again tomorrow early am like last time and see how he reacts. If he barks I will say "enough" and once he quiets down give a treat so he associates the hat with something positive.
About the barking at night ....I do not want to discourage him from alerting me of strangers approaching my property when I am by myself at night. My hubby got the dogs primarily because he loves them but also because with his job I am often by myself. The other night for instance, I heard footsteps so I sent him out (my fenced property) he barked and whoever it was left. I then called the police but there was no trace. If he hadn't barked who knows what could have happened! Should I tell him to stop barking if he barks at noises at night? All I need to do is say "enough " and he will listen, however, one day maybe the enough could mean for a thief "all clear". however, I am always open to suggestions and advice and I will do what it takes to fix this if in your belief it is a major problem.