Fear or Aggression?

[MaryJ]

An incident happened tonight with my 2 year old female Rott that really startled my 20 year old son and I. One of his friends (also 20 years old) rang the doorbell and as usual, Asia was right beside me with her nub wagging, waiting to greet our latest visitor. I greeted him pleasantly, and told him to go on upstairs to my son's room. This boy is at my house 3-4 times a week and always pets and plays with Asia. I went back in the living room and the boy and I spoke for a few minutes while he stood in the foyer. Asia was by my side when, all of a sudden, she took 3 giant "bounds" toward the boy and barked the most ferocious barks I've ever heard. Now the surprising part of this is that I've never even heard her bark before!! My son and I immediately shouted her name and I put her in a down stay. I then proceeded to let her know, in no uncertain terms, that this behavior will not EVER be tolerated! (She's still hiding from me as I type this!) My question is, why would a dog, who welcomes 5-6 visitors a day into my home suddenly do this? Was she afraid? My husband and other children were not home. Was she being protective? What would make her bark after 2 years? She is the most docile Rott you'd ever want to meet, always obedient and wanting to please.
Any insights? Did I handle this correctly? Thanks in advance. MaryJ

[Judi W]

You handled it just fine. Not having see it or knowing any of you including the dog, it sounds to me like she thought it not normal for him to continue standing in the entry rather than coming on in or going upstairs and decided to boss him into moving. No big deal as long as you corrected her.

[Judy Chrusch]

Czar did this and I swear enjoys teasing and threatening SOME people, especially those who are afraid of him. Just for the record, he doesn't get away with this behavior. My son is 6'4 and his friends swear there have no problem with him but in reality they have fear written all over their face and Czar zones into that and feeds off that sooooo, even when his friends say they aren't afraid, Czar gets put in his crate OR is on a leash but never the less gets corrected for this type of behavior, especially if they've been in the house before. I don't run into this anymore bc my son is on his own but I have told him if he ever enters my house with a friend to let us know beforehand.

Judy

[jakesfostermom]

as Posted by Judy Chrusch:

Czar did this and I swear enjoys teasing and threatening SOME people, especially those who are afraid of him. Just for the record, he doesn't get away with this behavior. My son is 6'4 and his friends swear there have no problem with him but in reality they have fear written all over their face and Czar zones into that and feeds off that sooooo, even when his friends say they aren't afraid, Czar gets put in his crate OR is on a leash but never the less gets corrected for this type of behavior, especially if they've been in the house before. I don't run into this anymore bc my son is on his own but I have told him if he ever enters my house with a friend to let us know beforehand.

Judy - that's our Jake to the tee! My son's friends have started telling him "CUT IT OUT!" in a strong voice (at our request) and it seems to be working. He is then put into a sit/stay until they go back into my son's room....and we're slowly getting away from this because the son now lives in his college town full time......

[Carol Burke]

Another thought: Was their anything different about your son's friend when this happened. Had been drinking? Something like that?

[spidey]

One quick comment in addition to the good posts here already: fear and aggression are almost always related to each other. Confident dogs are assertive, they only display as much threat as the situation requires, and sit back and assess the situation first (they ask questions first, and attack later if warranted). Fearful dogs are often quick to display threat (which is what it sounds like your dog did), since they lack the confidence to both wait and see what happens, and in their ability to handle whatever DOES happen (they attack first and ask questions later). I suggest you read this excellent post from Mick Trainer about nerve.

[Judy Chrusch]

Well Amanda, you're right on and Czar had some fear issues and we've conquered them all. He acted way too fast, though thank God never bit anyone and now after tons of work he finally can wait and see. My kids will come in and out at times though as I said don't have any who live here anymore. When someone comes through the door he will NOW run from the FM to the dining room and stop dead, will wait till someone opens their mouth or he sees a familar face then happily go to them. I tell my kids to be fair and acknowledge themselves when they come through the door and if there ever is anyone who has the slightest fear of him, he is put in his crate. Alot of Czar's issues are that he wants to be a clown and he likes to intimidate but that doesn't fly with us. That kind of behavior gets taken care of right away. He has come a long way in many things and we finally can say he respects us bc sometimes I think that lacks in dogs as well.

I will surely read Micks thread, thankyou and anyone who may think being a bully is funny or cool, believe me, it can end up tragic. There are matcho people who love that in a dog but I find it disturbing.

Judy

[csilverman]

Is it possible that Asia picked up the scent of another animal on your son's friend. I find that my Rotties will react differently to people they know if they pick up a different scent than they are used to with that person. Typically, it's another animal scent.

Of course, Asia could have simply felt the need to protect you for some reason. Something that your son's friend said, the tone of his voice, a movement, anything! Your girl would protect you with her life and anything can trigger that reflex.

[MaryJ]

Originally Posted by csilverman

Is it possible that Asia picked up the scent of another animal on your son's friend. I find that my Rotties will react differently to people they know if they pick up a different scent than they are used to with that person. Typically, it's another animal scent.

Of course, Asia could have simply felt the need to protect you for some reason. Something that your son's friend said, the tone of his voice, a movement, anything! Your girl would protect you with her life and anything can trigger that reflex.

Thank you to all replies. The only difference I saw was that my son's friend had a baseball cap on (unusual for this kid) and it was pulled down over his eyes. Maybe this was what she found discomforting? I remember our other Rott (Ruby- died of osteosarcoma) was only really protective if my husband wasn't home. I am not fearful when he's not here. We have an alarm system and live close to neighbors, but when hubby worked Ruby seemed to feel "on guard". I'm just wondering if Asia is starting this-hubby was working late the night of the incident.
Mary