I had been training a 10-month old Rottie for almost two months. Rocco had alot of problems, dominance issues with the family, undue agression to strangers and a few fears (cars=#1).
Although the dog is dominant (because the family spoiled him) I firmly believe he is a in truth a fearful dog that just wants the world to go away.
After convincing the family to change many things regarding Rocco and working especially hard with his 26year old master, Rocco slowly gained composure. He had never bitten anyone but I made sure the family knew he WOULD soon if they didn't work real hard on various facets of the dogs life.
Towards the end of the lessons (Private, in doors and on the town) something REALY freaky happend.
While we were pacticing a long down stay in the living room and chatting, Rocco started to seriously and intensly growel at a mask above the fireplace! He had been in that room a trillion times every day! The doors were closed and the mask wasn't moving...
Has anyone seen this behavior before? I know Rotties are 'vocal' but what the &$&#$$@A!?

Six months have passed and Rocco is a model of good behavior although a bit nervous. I have told the family that he should never do any protection work (they begged me to do it but I wouldn't) because he isn't stable enough or brave enough but I fear they might go to another trainer who will have no qualms...

What do you think about Rocco? Is he just stupid for growling at the wall or is it more than that?

Just guessing, a mask looks like a face and the dog may hve suddenly seen it and thought it was a person. At that age the dogs eyesight is getting better and the dog is starting to mature. It may be developing the beginings of some defensive behavior.

at 10 months, dogs can be in a funy, fearful phase.
also, he may have never really looked at the mask before or it may have looked different--a different angle, lighting, shadows.
when i was a senior in high school, we had to do an interesting exercise in class one day.
we all went into the auditorium--we'd been in there many times before.
we were given 10 minutes to look around and find something we had never noticed before. i have done this occasionally in other places and been able to find something new--even in my bedroom.
point is--just because he's been in the room, that doesn't mean he's seen the mask.