Odd behavior - Page 1

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I have a dog that will charge anyone in the dark that surprises her, but this is only outside, with someone walking from a distance, so she has no clue on who is it until she gets closer. In the house, dogs I've known, are well aware
of who is walking around the house, especially if it's a family member coming into the bedroom who sleeps there.  I would think Axel wouldn't be in that sound of a sleep to be startled, especially since he's charged her before and it's not like she's walking into the bedroom for the first time late at night.

Seems like he's overreacting to me. Maybe it's his age and immaturity...

Would he charge you if the situation were reversed and you came into the bedroom late at night?

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Keith, your dog (like most unless very old) although sleeping, is easily geared to response, i.e. if you said his name, or dinner or walk etc., he would be up and comfortably ready!  In other words not so deep in sleep as to be shocked to what might be happening when something (and normal too) occurs.  When I have visited another dog, my dogs (like most of course) will be sniffing my jeans, picking up the scent of the other animal.  Now if your dog (or my dogs) were upstairs and resting, and someone unknown should enter even downstairs, you would see their awareness first, recognising the presence of the unknown in the area they know well.  So your girlfriend is not surprising your dog.
 
Your dog 'owns' your girlfriend.  You have said that he is experienced in obedience exercises, so your girlfriend just runs through basics with him.  Now this would obviously suggest, that he knows what to do, demonstrates that he can do it, BUT is unchallenged with this, and your girlfriend is merely providing cues for him to respond to.  In other words, she is not in a position to even calmly demand something that he can already do anyway.


Taking him for long walks, is an enjoyable interaction too, and does not require him to be respectful to your girlfriend.  Walking along nicely, is simply that, walking along nicely.


When she leaves your side to go and inspect a Trade Stand, technically he is still with one of his 'Leaders/Guides' and should relax with trust.  If he saw your girlfriend in this way, it would be none of his business as to her choice of action.  (Similar if in an Office, the Manager suddenly stood up and walked towards the door, whose business is it to question where he/she is going)?  Your dog feels as though he owns your girlfriend, and is keeping his eye on where his bone, toy, ball etc is wandering .........


The fact that this reaction happens occasionally in the bedroom, is all that is necessary for him to do, to prove his point.  If he could speak it would probably be; "Who gave you permission to enter"!!


Would it be possible, that some time prior to you going to bed, your girlfriend puts his leash on.  Now have your girlfriend have him lay down on the floor by the sofa where she is sitting.  Holding the leash very lightly.  Perhaps he could be laying there because your girlfriend requires him to do so for a while beforehand, he will probably relax and even doze.  Then as you get up to go to bed, the moment he responds, with the head up, alert expression that suggests that he expects to obviously be part of this.  She gives a firm 'check' on the leash, and a firm "No".


(Keith, I would continue with this text, but obviously would see no point if you disregard what I have said thus far?  So to be fair to myself by not wasting time, or respecting whether you wish to ignore this Message, I will refrain from further comment).


Regards,
Vixen

Keith..thank god you are one of us normal people with a dog with an issue...LOL

All jokes aside...its gf demeanor upon entry....she is "sneaking" in and no dogs like that...good example, my daughter and her friend were playing hide and seek, and my dog and my daughter are very close, but when she started sneaking around the island in the kitchen to sneak up on her friend my dog started barking as if a stranger entered home, freaked everyone out...to test that my husband decided to creep into the kitchen and he was hunched over and saying 'tun, ta-tun, ta tun..." and holy crap all hell broke loose i thought she was going to attack him...as soon as he stood straight and said "knock it off" in her eyes he was back to being himself and tail was wagging, happy hops in circles...etc...this is just from my experience...i think if your gf to walk in straight and maybe even call dog out from the room and re enter room with her...that would eliminate an issue...

just my 2 cents....

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I too think it is the quiet entrance to the room that is setting him off.  Can she call him out of the room to join her before going to bed?  Your boy is not going to allow someone to sneak into the room and bop you on the head :)  My weiner dog does the same thing, if hubby crashes into the bedroom no problem but if she hears him tip toeing into the room she is going to eat him.  ( until the blind old bird knows it is him, then she slinks away in shame...)  This is the same attack weiner that just about took a homeless mans arm off when he reached into the car.  She is not aggressive in any other situations but boy she sure is tough if she perceives a threat!

I have seen this behavior before with a GSD mutt we had when I was a teenager. I think you should stop letting him sleep in your bedroom, your girlfriend should be top dog in that area. Think about it.

Nip this in the bud.

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Keith...I hope you are not thinking of getting rid of the gf...LOL