SearchShould I be concerned about protectiveness at such a young age?
Something happened today and I'm not sure how to process it. I took Chico to the Vet today with my youngest son (he'll be 4 in March). As we were going in two very large breed dogs came out with their owner. One was a pit bull the other was much larger than the pit bull and stockier. Chico stopped in his tracks once he saw the other dogs and I paused to let the other dogs pass just in case they weren't friendly. I expected him to be curious as he's not been exposed to any other dogs before besides his family and the barking of the neigborhood dogs(because he's not completed his series of immunizations), but I didn't expect what came next. I thought he'd want to play or something, but instead he stood between us (my son and I and the two larger dogs) and let out his big boy barks and growls. The one that says he means business. Naturally, this provoked the larger dogs and they tried to go after him- scaring me to death with fear for my son and my dog. Chico held his ground and would not budge as much as I tugged on his leash and called him. Instead he was so strong and held so steadfast his collar slipped off from around his neck and my heart fell into my stomack like a brick. I was so scared for him at this point as the lady could NOT control her dogs and they were much too large for her. They were inching closer and closer to us. I opened my car door and yelled for my son to get into the car and also yelled for Chico. Thankfully, Chico FINALLY listened and entered the car behind my son. By then I was scared for my son and Chico and asked the lady to please control her dogs. (even though it was obviously Chico that barked first). This is not the first time Chico has shown me this side of him. The first time was on Christmas morning when he was just over 2 months old. My oldest son came into my bedroom (Chico sleeps in my room with my youngest son and I) to wake us up early Christmas morning and that's when we heard Chico's big boy warning barks for the first time. He stood there barkng and barking at my oldest son and then ran under the bed. Of course he came out once he realized that it was my oldest son. The second time was when some city workers were in our front yard digging a massive hole very close to the front door unannounced. When I opened my front door to investigate all the noise Chico was trying to get at them though our glass door. The third time was when we had unannounced and unexpected visitors very late one night. We were watching a movie and I couldn't be sure that we heard a knock or not, so I asked my son to look through the peephole because I'm too short to reach it. He took a peek, but said that someone was covering it. So we called out "Who is it?" and nobody answered. All while this was happening Chico was right there as he always is right by our side and he was happy go lucky with his little smile and his stump of a tail wagging. Well, when I opened the door I didn't recognize who it was and let out a scream and as soon as Chico heard that he was this different dog that was growling and barking and throwing himself at the door. Should I be concerned at this behavior at this age? He's a very very very sweet boy and passes his temperament tests at his Vet appointments. He has this ability to sense what is normal and what isn't and who is welcome and who isn't. Am I worrying too much or is this just the natural protective nature of his breed? I am very proud of him for being so brave, but it scares me at the same time as he shows absolutely NO fear. He's such a little guy and it would kill me for anything to hurt him because he's trying to be brave for us. I really think he was trying to protect my son and myself from those dogs today and I definitely know that he was doing the same thing the day we got that knock on the door. What are your experiences? Is this OK? Am I worrying for nothing? Should I be concerned? I value your opinions and thank you in advance for any feedback.
I took him to the Vet today to get his 4 month vaccines that would allow me to bring him into public settings and around other dogs, but the Vet recommended me to come back early next week because we were too early for them. By my calculations we aren't early we are right on time, but they said that they could give him the vaccines today-but they'd just have to give them to him again next week because we were too early.
I'm glad that you don't seem to alarmed by his behavior. I'm worried to take him to the dog park after his waiting period after his vaccines next week because I don't want any other dogs to think Chico is challenging them. I think I may take your advice and try PetSmart or PetCo. first. I'm still afraid of him getting hurt there, too. I think I'm way more of a chicken than he is.
Actually, I would be somewhat concerned. Some of what you post is contrary to other parts - you say he knows what is normal and who is welcome right after you describe an incident where he barked and reacted inappropriately to your own son in your house, and really there was nothing going on with the 2 dogs at the vet's either based on what you told us. You didn't say they were barking at your or your son or doing anything, yet your dog started reacting unnecessarily. That incident was not protective, imo, it was just inappropriate. Like happydance said, you need to be getting him out and socializing him and teaching him tolerance in situations that do not merit a reaction.
Glengate,
I believe that the reason he barked at my oldest son on Christmas morning is because when we got Chico as a puppy my son was on school break a lot (Thanksgiving Holiday and Christmas break) and slept in until late morning or noon- teenagers! When he wasn't on break he would go to the bus stop at 6:30 AM-Chico was used to us getting up first and not the other way around. Nobody ever comes into our bedroom before we get up. Especially my oldest son. Once he recongnized him he stopped the barking immediately and ventured out from under the bed. This was an out of the ordinary occurance and maybe the break in routine startled him and the surprise of someone entering into our bedroom.
I do agree with you about the situation at the Vet's office. I was surprised that he barked and growled before the other dogs did. Unless he sensed some kind of danger or was just scared as HappyDance suggested.
I do totally agree with you and HappyDance that he needs socialization and I plan on doing so as soon as he finishes his next vacines after the 48 hr waiting period`1. I hope he'll get some familiarity with other dogs when he begins his puppy training classes next month.
I will let you know how he does. I'm anxious to do the right things to be sure that Chico is an outstanding member of society.
I don't want anyone to think he's mean. Because he's not. He is far from it. He hasn't had any contact with any other dogs besides his family> He was born on 14 October and we got him right around Thanksgiving. He's friendly towards friends and anyone we welcome into our home. VERY friendly. He's a love bug. However, he is not a fan of strangers or people that scare us at the front door.
So, from the two comments it just seems that he needs socialization- which I cannot provide until it's safe for him to be out in public.
I am gathering that the other puppies did not behave this way before they were able to be socialized. :o( That concerns me.
I'm actually surprised that he showed the SA of the situation with your oldest son. He was confronted with what he perceived as a stranger in yours and his areas. At 8 weeks it is a unusual for a pup to stand their ground rather than flee, which is what he then did after he gave his brave front.
I agree the situation at the vet's was more likely he was a bit overwhelmed by the other two dogs and reacted out of uncertainty. Then when the overreacted the situation could have gotten bad as he is after all only 16 weeks old or so. I once made the mistake of taking two adult Dobermans into a vets office at the same time. My female who was about 3 at the time and a strange female Doberman who came in behind us nearly got into a fight. It was all I could do to hold Windy and all the lady behind me could do to get her female back out. Ever since I have always taken one Dobe at a time into the office, even if only boarding them. They also have their appointments on separate days, or I drop them off and pick them up later and have the assistance of a handler. It's amazing how strong a dog can get in 4 paw drive when they want to.
The last situation is exactly what you want from Chico, but a little earlier than I would have expected. Dobes will react to you and the situation. If you are uneasy, they will be on alert, if you are fearful, they will be between you and what makes you fearful. This is both good and bad. If you have him on a walk, and you are uncomfortable about a neighbors dog, Chico will be more aggressive. If you are nonchalant, Chico should be also. It's one of the things we love about our velcro dogs.
One good way to socialize a dog is training classes. Many of the chain pet stores will offer puppy classes, and it's a good way to socialize the puppy and learn how to control him. Remember, you must be the alpha (top dog in his world).
BTW - if the peep hole were covered, I would not have opened the door, and I have two Dobermans in the house and two Min. Schnauzers who are more like to charge at a stranger than the Dobes (they're the SWAT team for the Min. Schnauzers).
rgreen4-
Thank you for your reply. This makes a lot of sense if Chico is reading off of my responses to my environment. I will admit that once I saw those large dogs coming towards Chico and my little boy that there was a sudden burst of adrenaline and fear inside of me for both of their safety. Especially once I knew that she couldn't hold her dogs back. She was just a little thing and both her dogs were very large and strong.
I will have to work on controlling and concealing my own fears in front of Chico. I wouldn't want him to overreact to situations or put himself in harms way because he thinks he needs to on our account.
I'm excited for him to begin puppy training classes next month and I am sure that this will help socialize him and allow him to feel comfortable around other canines.
Do you think I should begin his puppy classes before I begin taking him for walks after his 4 month vacines? I don't want any situations similar to the Vet Clinic happening.
No, start taking him on little walks, even if it's just down the street to start with. Be sure to have treats with you and encourage and reward good behavior. (Read up on all the threads about walking on a leash, it can be tricky at first.) It's just too bad that we all have to wait to get started with real socialization until they're 16 weeks. I made sure I had friends and family come visit before Fancy could go out to get her used to meeting new people, so that helped. The puppy classes will be great. And don't worry, everybody there has a puppy. Dobermans tend to SHINE at "school", you both will have a blast learning, and the advantage of somebody pointing out and correcting the mistakes YOU make, LOL.
Thank you, HappyDance for taking the time to write back :o)
Chico's appt is this Wed. I'm ready to get this one over with so I can go ahead and get him out in public after the waiting period.
He's used to the people that we let in our home and the neighborhood children, but I would like to get him used to "strangers" and other dogs that don't mean any harm. SUPER excited to get him into training classes. I know he'll do super well. He is really intelligent. He was potty trained completely in less than 3 weeks and he learned to sit in less than 1 day.
Chico is very beautiful and I wish you the best in the socialization aspect of him. Its probably the single most important thing you can do for Chico because he is a Doberman. Good luck and keep us all posted.
Thank you, Tess. I will be sure to keep everyone posted on Chico's progress.
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I see that he's just 16 weeks. I assume he just got his last vaccination. After the waiting period for the vaccine, he needs to get out and get socialized. My feeling is that he was startled by the dogs at the vet and it was more of a fear aggression. Fancy started getting protective at about 6 months. Once we were at Petsmart and a very wild pit/mastiff mix puppy came around the corner and Fancy had the same reaction. I was very surprised because she was young and always just wanted to play with any person or dog. She definately did NOT like that dog, or maybe even it was the owner. You can take him to places like the vet's office, Petsmart, etc. and get him used to thing.