Hi everybody. Today I was practicing informal heel with my pup (he's 11.5 months now). I've done this (via marker training only so far) a bunch of times. He loves it, he's eager for the treats I give him, etc. I have done short heel segments including turns, then giving him my 'free' command to go let him sniff around or play with me on the long line. I only use the long line during this training for safety--I'm not keeping him to me physically.

Today I was on the street in front of our house and suddenly, in the middle of this training, he went from happy and eager to looking at the treat I was giving him as if it were poison. There was no yelping or other indication of sudden pain or injury, and he is a vocal guy. I'm sure I didn't step on him or hit him or anything like that. He has never ever done this before...he put his head on the low side and started trotting towards our back door. It didn't seem as if he were running from me, but from some 'invisible problem.' He didn't look so much afraid as repelled, if you know what I mean. I noticed he was drooling so I made a note to check his mouth, but he may have just been drooling over the food from before.

Once inside, I gave him a once over, checked his mouth, examined his paws, pads, etc. but found nothing. He was back to happy and eager again in just a few seconds.

I have a feeling this will be an eternal mystery, but thought maybe somebody would have an idea of something to look for. Maybe I have a nasty neighbor who thought it would be funny to use a dog whistle...

Maybe a neighbor has one of those ultra sonic animal repel devices? Look for black or grey boxes hanging on a porch with a cord.

I didn't think of that! Hmm, I'll keep my eyes open but if I don't see anything I'm going to start wearing a tinfoil hat.

I reviewed my older posts and found this one, and now I'm a little more concerned. I have been working the tug (a firehose) with my pup lately (he's now about 15 months) in the backyard. He has been excited and tugging with alacrity. Today I had an eerily similar reaction from him to this old post.

He suddenly acted as if he thought he was somehow being punished or discouraged (as a side note, he doesn't really get punished or discouraged ever during training so far). I jumped around, acted excited, teased him with the tug that he normally attacks with alacrity, but he just went flat, as if some outside influence were distracting him. This is totally outside of his normal behavior pattern.

When I saw this old post, I thought it was eerily similar to what happened today. Although this time he wasn't in full avoidance, trying to get into the house. He just stopped and sat there. I wouldn't normally think much of it, but I just happen to have a nutjob as a neighbor so my suspicion level is on higher alert. I know that there isn't much help a forum could give me on this weird issue, but I wanted to vent, so thank you.

I might have to resort to my super-nerd skills to rule out the anus next door.

I don’t know if this could be your issue but my shepherd is an incredible conductor of static electricity. It mainly happens when he’s walked any distance on the carpet in dry/static conditions.

I was slicing up some beef in the kitchen a few months back and he happened to be lying on the linoleum floor. I went to give him a piece and he got a zap on the nose through the meat. He got up, his ears were down, tail low, and he kept looking over his shoulder as he slinked to his crate. There was no vocalization but a very confused, fearful response. Now, he will not have anything to do with being fed at that particular spot in the kitchen.

It sounds like you were outside both times. I’m not sure if this can happen on cement or through a tug toy but I know I’ve gotten some pretty bad zaps from car doors, so it may be possible. Just a thought.

 Quote: Melissa Thom

Maybe a neighbor has one of those ultra sonic animal repel devices? Look for black or grey boxes hanging on a porch with a cord.

Sure sounds like it might be the case. You'll have to get your detective hat on, Claudette, and see if you can suss it out. Or pay a neighbor kid to snoop for you! (just kidding on that one...)

OK, one other thought: was he doing any acrobatics when he started acting funny?
Chula had a similar reaction one time when I was tossing the flying squirrel for her. It happened right after she jumped up to catch it, and I think she torqued her back or neck. She was subdued for the evening, but was fine the next day.

what about a bee sting?

Hi guys, thanks for the ideas! I don't see anything obvious on/around the outside of the neighbor's house. Maybe he's just getting a little distracted--I've just started the real work with the tug so he's not quite as intense with it yet as for his ball. I don't think he was physically hurt, but I'll never know cause I can't ask him hehe.

I'll try to stop being so paranoid, lol. Lately I've done a lot of work on reducing possessiveness, with cooperative games etc. I may have taken it too far because he's a little too happy to let me have his prized possessions.