Hello All-

Here's the situation- My male GSD "BEN" a rescue from a Manhattan shelter, has one remaining issue and within that issue is this wrinkle.

Ben (approx 3-4 years old, 100lbs, male neutered) has solved a number of aggresion issues but remaining is his aggresive (read; barking and lunging/bark and hold) at people as they enter the apartment. However, these same people are accepted by Ben if they are in the apartment upon the dogs arrival. In other words, if the dog and I are already in and someone comes in--problem: if we return and the same person is in the aprtment--no problem.

UNTIL- that person makes the moves to leave. twice now, Ben has gone from comfortable and accepting of the guest, to barking and holding as these people (both girls, one a relative stranger and one who he otherwise seems to just adore) get up from a prone position and begin to put their shoes on.

Certainly he is reactive to MY putting opn my shoes, as that often signals a walk. But does anyone know why he might become aggresive/bark alert as these guests prepare to leave?

Thanks in advance, and please let me know if you need more circumstantial info.

Do the people move about at all during their visit other than getting up to leave?

Hopefully someone can give you an answer on how to fix this problem. My aunt had a Dalmation that did the same thing, your description sounds like the same dog.

Anyway, this behavior eventually turned into biting and my aunt met with several trainers. I don't know what was done but it was never fixed. She just started leaving the dog crated in another room the entire time guests were over. Just be careful so your guests don't get bit while you're working it out. I got nipped pretty good by the Dalmation once.

Hi Lisa-

Thanks for replying. I have followed your thoughts on other threads and must compliment you on your knowledge.

To answer your question--Yes, there is some movement during the guest's stay, but sometimes the dog may be resting or distracted or whatnot so I'm not sure what his triggers are. Certainly the more sudden and larger th move the more reactive the dog becomes.

He settles down after I give him a collar shake and a strong "no" or two, and even goes so far as to re-approach the bark/hold target and lick their hand/give their face a kiss. When I correct him, he does look like he is confused, more so than when I correct him for other incidents.

To- Michele

Thanks for your reply. Oddly enough, the GSD Ben shows no signs of biting (other than the bark /hold) By that I mean he isnt growling, his face posture is not aggressive (ears down, teeth bared) and certainly he has had opportunity. As I mention in the post above, he becomes friendly, almost affectionate when corrected. I'm wondering did your dalmatian have this same dynamic?

The reason I asked if the people move about at all during their visits is that I was thinking perhaps it's the movement that triggers his response. That doesn't appear to be the case though. Do they keep their shoes near the door? Do you think it could have something to do with proximity to the door that triggers arousal in the dog? This would make sense, if entrances are as arousing as you've said.

I've heard of this type of thing before in Shepherds. Something to do with controlling the movements of humans; perhaps a herding trait?

If he were a fear biter, I'd suspect that he'd be more likely to silently slink up behind the person and nip them in the behind or the calf, than to make a big commotion and draw that much attention to himself.

At any rate, regardless of the "whys", I can see how this behavior would be quite scary for your visitors. What I'd suggest is that you train him to do something different.

For instance, if he doesn't already have a "place" command, teach him one. Put a mat/bed in the room, and teach him to go there and stay there when people leave the house.

I think it's important also that you be in charge of social interaction. He shouldn't be allowed to just freely decide if and when he's going to make social contact with your visitors. He should be trained to remain in his spot until you give him permission to greet. You can teach him a "make friends" or "say hello" command that lets him know it's okay to approach and greet a visitor.

I have a GSD mix that does a similar thing when people leave. With her, it's definitely more of a herding/prey behaviour than it is aggression. My other pup barks and growls at everyone outside of the family, he's convinced everyone is the devil. In either case, I've found that, as Lisa said, it's much easier to give them an alternative behaviour/command (place or down) and treat it as an obedience issue rather than trying to treat it as a behavioural problem.

Thanks Lisa & Simon

Makes sense! I do not have a "place"command but will institute one. I had sort of reacted along those lines, taking the dog through "sit" and then "down/stay" which quells the barking although not against future movement from the target.

He is coming along. Your suggestions are appreciated.

Appreciated enough to throw a couple of stars my way? That rating's starting to give me a complex...

Brock,

It wasn't my dalmation, my aunt was definately not proactive in the beginning which was most likely the main problem. The dog would do the bark and hold type behavior when people got up to leave, but was also friendly after being corrected. The dog didn't start biting until after about a year of the barking. I didn't particularly like being forced to visit this aunt when I was a kid so it gave me a good excuse not to go <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I was about 13-14 at the time and no, I was never mean to the dog, it nipped other people as well.

I was just letting you know so your guests don't get bit. It was a surprise to my aunt the first time that dalmation bit someone. Since you are aleady working on the issue, I would assume it wouldn't get that far with your dog.