Help! Harley likes to bark at people walking by

[iluvrotts]

I have a very sweet nearly 6 month old male. He has a wonderful personality, loves people, and is a real joy to be around.

However, I notice that when I walk him at night, and he sees someone walking down the street or in the distance (And not everyone, just certain people) he barks in a really mean way and does a little growling at that person. This disturbs me because I don't want him to scare people when he is older and full grown. He has done this since he has been about 12 weeks old. I have discussed the problem with the breeder who advised me to correct him and say, "He's okay" to let him know the person is okay. But she also told me that you don't want the dog to think that everyone is okay, because they're not. I'm not having much luck breaking him of this habit.

He is not agressive or dominant in any other way, so this behavior puzzles me. We are beginning his formal training right after the new year. He already knows basic obedience like sit, shake, down. I plan on showing this pup, so I cannot have him barking and growling at everyone that he doesn't know. This pup tested very well on his 7 week temperment test (all 3's and 4's) and never shows any other behavior like this. In fact, I am always amazed at the difference between him and our other rottie. He is just so much more calm and docile. Our other rottie is very dog agressive and food agressive and Harley is neither. He's really a good boy.

I would love some insight on why he does this, and how to break him of this behavior. I know that rottweilers were bred to guard, so maybe this is usual behavior for them. A few people have told me to get a prong or shock collar and the behavior will stop immediately, but I think he is way too young for that and I'd rather correct the problem with regular training. Any help or advice would be appreciated.

[Judi W]

He is worried and that is why he is issuing the threats. Things are scarier at night. Better than telling him "he's OK" would be for you to give a happy hello to the person BEFORE he alerts. That gives him the message that his leader is not worried about the person in a very direct way that he can understand. Telling him "OK" can be misconstrued by him to be approval of what he is doing and thinking thus encouraging his continuance of the hollering.

It might be that not everyone is a friend, but unless they take aggressive actions, everyone is entitled to walk in public areas unthreatened, just as you are.

Try the "hello, how are you this evening" trick, I believe you will find it works quickly and easily.

[MrsBoats]

I still say Hi to everyone I see when walking Sam. Saying Hello to people really does work and I have had great luck with using it.

They know when you greet people in a friendly way. Dogs pick up on your actions way more than you can even imagine. If you get nervous about how your boy will act to an approaching person, he will sense it. He percieves it as "Mom is getting nervous about this person coming....I'LL PROTECT HER!!!" I've had great results with being relaxed and addressing the person coming at me first.

Good luck.

(OMG....that was the first time I've given advice!) woo-hoo!:D

[iluvrotts]

Thanks so much for the advice! I will try greeting the person. He sees people all the time during the day and doesn't do this. It is always at night. But only select people. Not everyone gets the "bark treatment". If it is someone he knows, like a neighbor, he doesn't do it.

Mrs.Boats brought up a point that I hadn't thought of. That maybe I'm sending my boy vibes that he should protect me. Last year, I was robbed and my purse snatched, so I do get panicky sometimes when I see someone I know, but I didn't know my fear would be able to be picked up on by my puppy. We live in a very safe neighborhood, and there is very little crime. My puppy frequently has to go outside, even sometimes at one in the morning. There are many teenagers in our neighborhood that have friends come over at very late hours and they are usually the ones that Harley sees at night. Harley stands in front of me when he does his "tough dog" routine. Like I said, I'd be somewhat worried if he wasn't such a good boy otherwise. He just loves me; he watches me all day long and I've never seen a dog that can kiss like this boy can! He would kiss my face for an hour if I let him!:)

I will try the hello treatment and see if this helps.