Reg: 07-27-2009
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Loc: Southern California
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This doesn't happen often.. but I was wondering if anyone has had any similar circumstances/input.
Conan sometimes growls at things. He has also growled at paintings hanging on the wall, and a book with John Lennon's face on the shelf (the cover was facing out). It's happened twice with the TV though when it was paused, so I assume it's a particular image? But the paintings were of a landscape, no people/faces. And it's a very serious growl. He bares his teeth and there is nothing we can do to get his attention off of the items except by removing them (facing the book away, taking the pictures down or turning the channel/un-pausing the tv). Once the image is away, he acts like nothing happened. But when it's there, he means business.
I find it a bit funny because he's actually very wimpy and fairly easily startled. So yeah, I'm not really concerned or anything (should I be?), I was just wondering if anyone else had experienced this.
Melissa Thom Webboard User Reg: 12-04-2007
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Loc: Upper Left hand corner, USA
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On rare occasion I'll have an item in the house that gains that kind of attention. I think the last of such items was a stuffed animal that was particularly large and looked like a dog. So long as the item isn't something I'm concerned about breaking, falling, or hurting the dog, I let them investigate it on their own with zero interference from me to touch the object or even acknowledge it. By removing the object you reinforce the behavior, letting the dog get over it through investigation is usually more constructive to the dog's psyche.
Usually I find the error begins with dog growling at said object. The owner reinforces it by acknowledging the behavior to reassure the dog or moving the object which raises its threat level in the dogs eyes.
Reg: 07-27-2009
Posts: 1421
Loc: Southern California
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I'll do that if it ever happens again. The tv is the only thing he can really investigate because the book is up on the highest shelf (I can barely reach it, but then again I'm pretty short too haha) and the pictures are above the bed. I guess next time we'll just leave them and see how long he stays haha!
Elaine Haynes Webboard User Reg: 08-16-2005
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Am I right in assuming that your dog is a GSD, Mal, or other herding breed? Herding breeds, especially those like GSDs or rough collies, that were used to guard as well as herd their flocks/herds, tend to be very aware of any kind of spatial changes in their environment.
Reg: 07-27-2009
Posts: 1421
Loc: Southern California
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He's a Corgi so you're probably right. He is an excellent watch dog. The pictures and book were not knew, in fact they've been there for at least a year. But I can see how the tv images might upset him, and maybe he just never noticed the other things before.
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Growling at random things
#253571 - 09/25/2009 11:06 PM 
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