Okay, I know that I haven't been training professionally long enough to have heard them all and I likely never will, but I may just have to remember this one because I think that it will probably remain one of my weirdest cases for quite some time.

I got a call from the humane society that I work with today about a dog that was recently returned to this shelter 2 weeks after being adopted. The family said that the dog was absolutely wonderful EXCEPT she has this one problem that they can't deal with. The dog will attack the television if an animal comes on during a show. Not just bark, she will literally try to bite and dig at the screen while snarling and barking! She will also attack the picture window if an animal walks by outside. Strange thing is, this dog gets along extremely well with other dogs as long as they are on her side of the window!!

Now, I haven't yet seen this dog or observed this behavior, so whether this is fear or dominance, I can't yet say.

If anyone has any suggestions or ideas, I would like to try to help this dog, otherwise the shelter will have her pts. I am going to see the dog tonight, hopefully I will be able to see this odd behavior and I can perhaps post more about the dog later this pm. But please, if you have any ideas I would realy like to hear them!

Thanks
Elisabeth

Originally posted by Elisabeth Barber:
Now, I haven't yet seen this dog or observed this behavior, so whether this is fear or dominance, I can't yet say. I do not see any way that this could be dominance... Dominance just doesn't manifest this way (at least I have never heard of it).. now fear, sure..

the simple fact that the dog has such a quick reaction concerns me... What else in life will set this dog off??

Send the video to the Animal Planet. The like to show that stuff on TV.

To stop the behavior, you may well have to use the crittering method Lou Castle described.

Can you please tell me where I can find the description of this crittering method?

Also, I have now seen the dog and she seems to be a nice dog. I was not able to observe the behavior. Dog definitely does not have a dominant bone in her body and as mentioned before, I don't see how it could be dominance. The animals on TV are definitely not posturing at her! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Still puzzled. Perhaps this could be territorial? Kinda like the friendly dog who turns into Cujo when he's on the other side of the fence?

Also, maybe should mention this is a chow mix. Maybe she is just destined to be crazy <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

See this thread for Lou's description of Crittering ...
http://www.leerburg.com/cgi-bin/UBB/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=23;t=000028

You may want to check with Lou to see if this technique is appropriate to this dog's problem.

Ed may also have an article on his website under the "Dog Agression" topic.