Strangers.

[MonicaBH]

Clyde & I went on a walk this morning. It started off alright, but when we reached the end of our street (~1/2 mile), a Doberman pinscher that escaped its yard began bothering us. The owner of the Dobe couldn't get the dog to come to her, and it kept circling Clyde & I in attempts to play. (By no means was this dog being aggressive; however, it was very annoying as Clyde & I couldn't proceed with our walk.) The Dobe finally ran off, and I Clyde & I kept walking. He was agitated for a couple of blocks but finally settled down. We get to the end of that street, and a boxer comes out of nowhere and begins barking, growling, snarling and biting at the fence that he was in (thankfully). Clyde does okay with this; we turn around and start the mile long trek home, which was uneventful. (The lady with the Dobe drove past and asked if I'd seen the dog; turns out that she did catch the dog, but its tie out ripped her hand, which was still bleeding, and the dog took off again.)

Until we get two doors away from home. My across-the-street neighbor was outside and on the other side of the street. He was asking if Clyde was the same tiny dog I used to walk, and I made some jokes about him not being so small anymore. We walked across the street (approaching a friendly stranger), and my neighbor slowly reached out to pet Clyde while talking softly to him. Clyde snorts and backs off. My neighbor took off his straw hat and tried again. Clyde backs down and starts barking with his hackles up. (He did not attempt at all to bite this man, and came to me and sat down when I asked it.) I apologized for Clyde's behavior, and my neighbor apologized to me, saying it must be his dog's scent that freaked Clyde out.

I do not know why he responded this way. I had just finished telling my neighbor that we were in training for therapy work, and was humiliated by Clyde's behavior. I am also slightly concerned now. Clyde has been on two of his three therapy evals and he did FINE. No agitation, no sketchiness, nothing. He seems to love the people we visit and has done very well being approached and petted. I don't know why he acted like this with my neighbor, who is one of the nicest people (and the most responsible dog owner!) on my block. And it's not like my neighbor approached us; we approached him. I don't get it.

Should I be very concerned about this behavior? After Clyde freaked out, we headed on home, and he acted completely normal. I don't know what happened and what why. I am confused about it and my feelings are hurt. I could blame it on the happenings at the beginning of our walk, but I doubt Clyde was still bothered by the Doberman mishap.

Okay. So any ideas why Clyde did this? What caused it? Should we quit therapy dog evaluations because of this?

FYI: Clyde is 2 y/o, neutered and has been around people and dogs his whole life. He has never exhibited this behavior before.

[webangel2b]

Sounds to me like you still need to work on it. Our dogs behavior/actions are something we never stop working on.

Don't stop the evals - I think that's a wonderful role for our rotts. Thearpy puts them in the most positive light ever.

I understand your feelings being hurt; honestly we take everything our dogs do to heart. Only because we've worked so hard with them.

[brunie's mom]

I would not be too upset about this behavior....some dogs just have bad days. He did not attempt to bite or snap...it could have been the hat, or the man's scent. What I always do is tell the dogs to "say hello"....that is their command that they are allowed to interact with someone...otherwise I just want them to ignore people.

See if you can hand your neighbor a treat the next time to give to Clyde...so that he does not get spooked by him again.

Clyde is growing up and may not always like everyone he meets anymore....that puppy love for everyone may not be the same.

Gina

[TravisBlanchard]

Brunies mom I just wanted to know how you trained your dog to only interact with people you permit it to, I am going to get a pup soon and wish to have the same kind of control, or will they teach that in obedience school as i plan to go from K-level 3 i think it is....or level 2, not sure when it stops.

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by TravisBlanchard

Brunies mom I just wanted to know how you trained your dog to only interact with people you permit it to, I am going to get a pup soon and wish to have the same kind of control, or will they teach that in obedience school as i plan to go from K-level 3 i think it is....or level 2, not sure when it stops.

When they are puppies, I do think they should be happy to meet and see people...and who can resist a Rottweiler puppy? As they get older, not everybody wants to meet a mature Rottweiler, and that's fine too.

When I tell my dogs "say hello" that's their signal that they can go and meet a person and get petted by them. I really don't think they should be licking, kissing fools trying to greet everyone.

Not exactly sure how I taught them? Going to obedience classes has taught them to ignore people around them, and to focus on me. Obedience classes can keep going for years...most dogs enjoy the class setting and learning.

Gina

[TravisBlanchard]

Thanks for your reply, much appreciated.