Mortified :(

jokersmum · #1 12-04-11, 07:08 PM

I was in the field on our farm must now (it's not our farm but we live there) with joker and Eva. I've always known Eva barks at people and other dogs but I've never seen her do any damage - just barking, until tonight. The guy who owns the farm came out of nowhere after a walk and she started barking. I told him to just ignore her but he kept putting his arm up in the air. She actually nipped him on the hand I think but he didn't say anything and I can't be sure yet she didn't fly at him aggressively growling or anything.

I really don't know what to do, I guess that's the end of her running free in the field then. Help - when she starts barking I may as well not be there. I've tried nicely nicely and treats and distractions with noise but nothing seems to help - I'm really worried, I don't want a dog who bites people. :-(

Bonniesmummy · #2 12-04-11, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jokersmum

I was in the field on our farm must now (it's not our farm but we live there) with joker and Eva. I've always known Eva barks at people and other dogs but I've never seen her do any damage - just barking, until tonight. The guy who owns the farm came out of nowhere after a walk and she started barking. I told him to just ignore her but he kept putting his arm up in the air. She actually nipped him on the hand I think but he didn't say anything and I can't be sure yet she didn't fly at him aggressively growling or anything.

I really don't know what to do, I guess that's the end of her running free in the field then. Help - when she starts barking I may as well not be there. I've tried nicely nicely and treats and distractions with noise but nothing seems to help - I'm really worried, I don't want a dog who bites people. :-(

I dont have advice to offer but I can empathise with you as I feel the same about Bonnie, she has good days and bad days recently but I worry that she could potentialy bite someone (she never has and I dont 'think' she will BUT....). I hope you get this sorted soon

jokersmum · #3 12-04-11, 07:37 PM

Thanks - thinking on I don't think she could have bitten him as after wards he said lovely evening isn't it etc.... Surely he would've said if she had bitten him??

sami · #4 12-04-11, 07:40 PM

For different reasons I had this problem with Leo many years ago and I was devastated. I mentioned it to the vet who asked what damage had been done which wasnt much. Vet said, look if a GSD wanted to bite someone you would know about it, he was just warning him away.

With Leo it was fear agression and with much much patience and time he grew out of it.

Tracy

Bonniesmummy · #5 12-04-11, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jokersmum

Thanks - thinking on I don't think she could have bitten him as after wards he said lovely evening isn't it etc.... Surely he would've said if she had bitten him??

Im pretty sure he would have.... I wouldve if it was me!!!

I always make sure Bonnie is on lead anywhere near people/dogs just incase, I have relaxed a bit recently which is actually paying off as she doesnt seem as inclined to bark as much... mostly if people get too close.

jokersmum · #6 12-04-11, 07:46 PM

Thanks - I normally keep Eva on a lead if we are out but this is at home - he popped out of nowhere and surprised us all - she's not keen on men either - at all :-/

shetlandlover · #7 12-04-11, 08:14 PM

First off speak to him about what happened! If she didnt actually nip him then you could be worrying about nothing.

Its normal for dogs to challenge people who enter their land/home un-announced which is how it seems if he just appeared. Hell, Ask the poor man next door he thought it was my GSD barking at him everytime he put his bins out or got in his car, it wasnt its my sheltie.

I am not sure what to suggest. Does your girl have a fave toy? When we got Scorcher we couldnt know how she was with dogs/cats/off lead. She has an obsession with squeek toys so we kept one to hand incase she bolted. It worked, she was more focused on the toy than on other dogs, running off. However....she will run away for a football and many times we have had fully grown men with their footballs above their heads running aroudn the pitch with Scorcher running after them with us shouting sorry.

Its hit and miss with dogs. (big hugs and dont let it set you back).

Stuart · #8 12-04-11, 08:33 PM

Jazz was like this a while back,.. she was very unsure about men [ not women ],..I was told when we took her on that she would nip,..and sure enough she did try a few times.

What you need to do is not hide away from people but to go and meet as many `friends` as possible,..the reason I say friends, is because you can give these people a batch of treats,.. when you meet these folk, or when they come callings, those people talk nicely and offer a treat

This has worked for us, to the extent that when someone calls who is not a friend Jazz will nose their pocket hopeing to get a treat,... we will then often give the `visitor` a treat for Jazz

jokersmum · #9 12-04-11, 08:37 PM

Thank you for all your kind words it has all got to me tonight and I've been really upset about it all. She is such a loving affectionate dog most of the time.

Matrix/Logan · #10 13-04-11, 03:30 PM

What about keeping her on a longline at the farm just so that you can jump onto it and distract her or pull her to you if she is in that situation again but so that she can have her freedom?

I would also do like Staurt suggested and introduce her to as many people as possible in a positive way.

Strange you know, i think a lot of shepherds go through a 'spooky phase', Logan the other day went all silly when a friend that has been coming every month since we had him, came to visit, he just kept running round the garden with his ears back and grumbling at our friend as if he were a stranger, wouldn't go to him for his ball or anything! The next weekend he was fine again!! Strange beasts we have!!