Odd Behavior?

[oldcrow]

I am a new Rottie mom and, therefore, new to this forum. I have learned so much from all of you already. We adopted Maggie (she's about 2 yrs old and spayed) from our local shelter. I was lucky enough to be there an hour after she became eligible for adoption (she had been found as a stray and had to be held for awhile by law). I have MANY questions but I am really perplexed by one particular behavior... Whenever we go out at night, she is "fascinated" by the stars (we live in a rural area without street- lights so they are very brilliant on a clear night). At first, I thought that she was just enjoying the night sky (!), but then I realized that she is searching for airplanes and becomes very "intense" when she sees one (even if it can't be heard). She will bark and lunge at it---pulling at her leash---and even whine when she realizes that she can't get it. Is this just an attempt to "retrieve" a moving object? We also have a Lab that retrieves anything that we throw but has never even looked up at the sky! Maggie is a sweetheart and has adjusted very well to joining our family (two of our three cats would disagree :( (but that's another question) but I'm curious about this strange behavior.

[Rottnlove]

Maybe the aliens dropped her off and she wants to go back to space? :D LOL!! I'm just kiddin'....

It's very interesting that she would do this. She sounds like a very intelligent dog. Very observant. Maybe she's afraid of airplanes?

I hope you can find a better answer here than I gave. It doesn't really seem like something serious to be doing.

Lisa

[TrishB]

There are some things you may never understand about her. Her past is hers, and she isn't talking! ;)

Try teaching her to do something else instead. If she must react, get her to sit and wave (it's a heck of a lot cuter than barking). Just sitting might not be enough for her (such an active response needs another active response for her to accept it). Then you praise her! Feel free to train her to do something that is pleasant that you wouldn't mind her doing.

Keep an eye on her - watch to see if she is also fascinated with her shadow, reflections and other things she cannot influence. If she does, ask your veterinarian about obsessive compulsive behaviour.

I doubt she has it and she's just fine, but it's something to keep in mind should you need it.

[ILoveRotts]

My Casey also notices airplanes. She is very smart & very observant. She doesn't bark however. My other 3 are not interested. Of course, they aren't interested in the squirrels either and Casey is.

I agree with the others that you should train her to do something else in response or not do anything at all.

My dog Drake used to bark like a maniac at Semi-trucks. He was a rescue that was very abused. Maybe he was owned by a semi-truck driver. Who knows? But one long road trip from Illinois to Kentucky got him out of that. Drove us crazy the entire way but after a while he got used to them.

Good luck! I am sure you can work with her.

[Shea & Kona's Mom]

Holy Cow! That is the funniest thing I have ever heard of. My mouth actually dropped open when I read it. I think Rottnlove might be right ;) Now my girl will chase and sometimes catch squirrels and she "chases" semis while riding in the back seat of the truck, but if I ever saw her look in the sky and try to chase an airplane I think I would..., well I don't what I would do, but I sure would be amazed. She doesn't even notice the helicopters that so frequently buzz our house, perhaps she's used to them. I think you have a smart dog on your hands, but I agree with TrishB that you should train her to exhibit some other type of response than barking. Glad your a new member, hope you stick around because I can't wait to hear what other adventures you are sure to have.

By the way, love your username :D

[Leader]

OldCrow,

I don't know if it's the same but....I have a boxer (now 11) that was born at my home and sold....The people brought her back when she was 6 mos. old saying they couldn't do a thing with her!

I think she was mistreated by them. Anyway, when I lived in the city she used to look up at the sky, but she was scared, what they call fear of threat. Dogs that spook easily may have a fear of threat, or weak nerve I suppose. My rott, who isn't afraid of much (he once tried to intimidate the local garbage truck:D not collectors, their truck!) sometimes looks up, but he's merely interested.

hope this helps!

[oldcrow]

Thanks so much for all of the responses! Maggie is easily dis-tracted from "chasing the planes" when I simply turn around and walk her in the opposite direction! Although she will then look at bright stars, just waiting for them to move. But with a "come" command, she quickly forgets about them. It really is comical behavior........ I am really enjoying this site and appreciate the support. :)

[SASSY'S DAD]

Mine watches tv and everything else that moves or appears to I think maybe a distraction if you have lights turn them on and play some ball or maybe a glow in the dark ball would be more to her liking or even possibly treats and walk around the yard with her..Either way if it is bothersom a distraction and keeing her interested in somthing else should help after a few times she should be looking forward to somthing besides going out to see the stars....;)

[CarolineS]

I, too, have a Maggie that looks at the sky. She looks up at planes when she hears them and follows birds across the sky. The funniest thing you ever saw was the day a hot-air balloon went over our house. Now that had her looking up, running and barking. She used to play frisbee with a doggy friend, a Standard Poodle. Whenever the frisbee was thrown straight and low, Maggie never got it because the Poodle was so much faster. If the frisbee was thrown high up in the air, Maggie always caught it because the Poodle couldn't figure out he had to look up to find it. My new girl, Dresden, also looks at things in the sky if she hears them or they catch her eye. I just put it down to they're being exceptionally intelligent dogs.;)

[Rottie02]

Hi there,
My 2 yr. old Rottie/Black Lab Heidi watches airplanes
sometimes, but not to the degree that you describe.
That is pretty interesting. And it would seem to indicate
a high degree of intelligence and observation on her part.
I was just thinking that maybe she lived either near an
airport, on at least in the path of the planes previously.
And spent lots of time outdoors. Or her former owner
may have owned a telescope, and included her on his
(or her) nocturnal astromony jaunts... LOL..Well, it is
possible????? Kind of cute, regardless of the cause.
Rottie 02 in MI :)