Kodee goes with us pretty much everywhere. The last month or so (he just turned a year old), I've noticed that he vocalizes much more than he used to, whether it be barking/growling when strangers come to the door, when he sees other dogs, etc. This doesn't bother me, as usually I can get him quiet within a short period of time. (We are working on the dog thing, though. I hate to say it but I think he may be getting dog aggressive, which I'm trying to nip in the bud).
Anyway, he makes this weird sort of noise, like a cross between a bark and a howl, when we are getting ready to get out of the car. he usually gets out last, after me and my 3 kids. I can tell he's doing this because he's impatient to get out of the car, and as soon as he's out, he quiets.
Should I correct this behavior or ignore it? I guess I'm not sure if this is a display of dominance, or not. It doesn't seem to be, but I'm a newbie, so I wanted to check. Maybe he's ordering me to let him out of the car or something.
If it doesn't actually bother you, then there's no real need to correct for it, but there is no need to reinforce it, either.
Just keep in mind that it may become more obnoxious as time goes on, and you may find yourself wishing that you had nipped it in the bud.
BTW, unless he has always been dog aggressive, or has recently had an experience to turn him dog aggressive, his barking at other dogs probably isn't dog-aggression motivated. I'd chalk it up to a newly-vocal dog, displaying a touch of pack-drive and "running his mouth", so to speak.
Nothing wrong with chosing to correct for all of the above behaviors, if they bother you- just realize that they probably aren't aggression related, so the corrections need to be done with that in mind.
Thanks, Alyssa. I've been wondering if a dog can become dog-aggressive out of the blue. I'll post another thread re: that question.
I think in general most of our issues will be resolved (I hope) as we move into the "corrections" phase of training. Kodee just turned one, and although he will "quiet" on command the majority of the time, it's not 100%, and I think that's because we've been in the "learning" phase since I got him. I will begin corrections for "quiet" among other commands that I'm sure he understands, soon. So I guess I will try to nip the noise he makes wanting out of the car, in the bud. It doesn't hurt anything, but it makes my blood pressure go up when I'm trying to get 3 small kids out and the dog is hollering his head off the whole time.
This is anecdotal, but I've heard from other owners that GSDs are very vocal dogs. Mine sure is.
I've heard that, too, although I don't remember our GSD's being that was as kids (but they weren't in the house w/us, so maybe they were and we just didn't see it).
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
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Quote: Matthew Grubb
I wouldn’t let him out of the car until he is calm and quiet…. Why allow that behavior to continue.
100% agreement here. You reward it if you let him out of the car when he does that.
Standing there like a statue until he is accidentally quiet and calm, and instantly marking that and letting him out -- that sticks when the dog really wants something.
Unrewarded behavior generally falls away pretty fast.
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Vocalizing when excited/eager...
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