Kingdom of Pets

Posted by jacot2966
Sep 26, 2010

I have a 14 month old cockapoo who has some anxiety it seems more towards men. She will let out a very low growl. Does not show her teeth and I think it happens more out of fear, than anything else. I've also found that I think it happens more when that person is wearing a hat or glasses, and looks a little different. Once she meets them, she is fine! Very friendly, etc...

She is presently undergoing therapy dog training, and is very friendly towards all! I have been bringing her already to school with me a couple days a week and she's been fabulous. This behavior does not happen with "boys", it just appears to be grown men.

This behavior (low growl) also happens with other dogs when we are out on a walk. Although it is much better, it still can happen occasionally.

Is this an "alpha" type of a problem. Any suggestions would be most helpful. One tiny little growl towards a person on a therapy dog test is an immediate fail, no matter how friendly she is once she meets them. She has not met a person that she does not like yet! I really think she can work through this. She's very intelligent and has so many positive qualities.

Posted by KOPCaroline
Sep 26, 2010

Hey Jacot,

I dont think I would classify this as an alpha behaviour. It seems more likely to me, with the specific trigger characteristics, that she had an incident with a man (in a hat, perhaps) when she was young that she didn't like. He might have scared her or hurt her, intentionally or not, but something undesirable probably happened to make her a bit wary. If it was alpha dog behaviour she'd more than likely continue showing unwanted behaviour after meeting the men, instead of being friendly after.

As far as growling at other dogs, if its not every dog she meets it could just be toward specific types of dogs (same sex bitches, intact males, etc) or it could just be she's unsure of a certain dog and is letting everyone know. If she is then friendly to the other dogs it would seem to me its a wary "hello" kind of thing. She's not baring teeth, etc, so I don't think its aggression at all.

When she does it, try to give her a quick "no" command and get her attention on something else. When she doesn't do it, praise her heaps. It should be an easy enough behaviour to train her out of, especially if you continue exposing her to men and other dogs. She'll get used to them eventually, especially if you help her out

Good luck with therapy training!!!

Posted by kjd
Sep 28, 2010

Yes, Jacot,

Good luck! I wanted my dog to be a therapy dog, but have been warned her shyness towards people will probably keep her out.

kjd

Posted by jacot2966
Oct 4, 2010

Thanks to the responses that I have received. I have realized that it is NOT an alpha behavior but more an anxious type of behavior. The person we are going to for training is a Delta certified tester for therapy dogs. She feels that Ruby does have the qualities to be a therapy dog, and just needs to work through a few things. She is already doing better every day!

She often rolls on her back when men (even my husband who loves her dearly) approach her. I never viewed this as being submissive...especially with my husband, I just thought she was very excited to see him. We have corrected this behavior as well so she is more confident. It is so difficult, as there are SO MANY differing opinions and views on how to correct behaviors...I'm overwhelmed at times!

I feel that we spent a great deal of time going through obedience training when she was little, and that she was great doing these things (sit, stay, come, etc...) in a quiet, controlled environment, but out in the real world...with distractions, rabbits, squirrels, etc.....Things are very different!!!

Thanks again for help!

Julie:

Posted by kjd
Oct 4, 2010

Hi, Julie,

Trainers believe a dog doesn't realize "sit" means the same thing under different conditions until it is applied in a LOT of conditions. I say "think" because nobody has ever asked a dog!

Good luck on the therapy,
kjd

anxiety towards men and etc....