Pup Scared Of Dogs Barking

[Lucy's mama]

This little fella came home on Tuesday

He is an Australian Shepherd, 9 weeks old tommorrow, and has his first puppy preschool in the morning.

We went to my mother-in-law's today and when it was time to leave we were saying our goodbye on the footpath when a dog across the road barked from behind his fence. Banjo whined and tried to run back into my mother-in-laws house. He was on his harness so I held my ground and encouraged him back to me, then walked him back and forth on her footpath a few times. Each time the dog let out the occasional bark he would startle and try to run the other way, but recover very quickly. Is that normal?

Would it be a good idea to carry him on one of Lucy's walks? All the dogs in our street run up and down the front fences barking as we pass and Lucy ignores them. On the one hand it will expose him to it while he is totally safe and secure in my arms, on the other it may traumatise him or make him think he needs to be in my arms when dogs bark.

What do you think?

Edited November 21, 2009 by Lucy's mama

[Nekhbet]

from a breeder or a rescue? If he's from a breeder I'd be getting my money back

dont hold him up and cuddle, but teach him to cope little by little. If you have a calm dog already, perfect. Dont let him escape, start far away and reward him for ignoring the other dog barking, even do a little rewarding with your existing dog and the pup should follow. Never pander to fear it only increases it.

[Danois]

from a breeder or a rescue? If he's from a breeder I'd be getting my money back

dont hold him up and cuddle, but teach him to cope little by little. If you have a calm dog already, perfect. Dont let him escape, start far away and reward him for ignoring the other dog barking, even do a little rewarding with your existing dog and the pup should follow. Never pander to fear it only increases it.

Pretty extreme comment!

Your dog is in a brand new environment and with new sounds and smells but keep socialising. Don't you react or act any differently when a dog barks and pup reacts - carry on per normal and be careful about your body language. If the puppy is picking up you are anxious (probably worrying about his reaction) then he will think he needs to worry about something and it must be related to the barking.

When my dog was a pup he was quick to startle but would recovery straight away - I'd be more concerned if he reacted and then did not recover quickly.

[Lucy's mama]

Thanks Nekhebet. I don't think it is serious enough to warrant returning him to the breeder. He has been fine with our dog, neighbours dog, kids, cats, traffic, gurney noise (after initial fright), reversing truck with beeping and flashing light, lightening and mild thunder, sprinklers going off unexpectedly etc. He was afraid of a clear plastic cup on the floor but eventually got over it himself, picked it up and trotted around with it.

I would definately not say he is overly fearful, but I don't want a fear of barking to get worse.

Edited November 21, 2009 by Lucy's mama

[Nekhbet]

of all things I would not be happy with my new puppy startling at a dog barking. Maybe whining but not trying to bolt back. Maybe it's just me

anyhoo, just help him along I'm sure you'll have him happily meandering past in no time! Dont forget MASSIVE rewards for being a good boy!

[Lucy's mama]

I will pull out the diced devon then.

[Nekhbet]

dont forget kabana and cooked hot dogs in teeny pieces .. just make sure puppahs hungry (although at that age aren't they all )

[leopuppy04]

Thanks Nekhebet. I don't think it is serious enough to warrant returning him to the breeder. He has been fine with our dog, neighbours dog, kids, cats, traffic, gurney noise (after initial fright), reversing truck with beeping and flashing light, lightening and mild thunder, sprinklers going off unexpectedly etc. He was afraid of a clear plastic cup on the floor but eventually got over it himself, picked it up and trotted around with it.

I would definately not say he is overly fearful, but I don't want a fear of barking to get worse.

for me LM the most important thing is a quick recovery which it sounds like your boy Banjo/ Romeo has

I agree that you should start off small and work your way up, so you want to try and avoid making him freak out, but stay nice and calm (at a distance if need be) and heavily reward the behaviours you want to see.

Given that he hasn't even been with you a week yet, I wouldn't be concerned and it sounds like you are doing all the right things to help him along and find his feet. given that he was in a country area with the breeder, it certainly wouldn't concern me if he startled a little at dogs barking, or traffic going past... things he wouldn't have been likely to be exposed to while staying with the breeder JMO

[Diablo]

'Danois' date='21st Nov 2009 - 08:25 PM' post='4135720']

from a breeder or a rescue? If he's from a breeder I'd be getting my money back

dont hold him up and cuddle, but teach him to cope little by little. If you have a calm dog already, perfect. Dont let him escape, start far away and reward him for ignoring the other dog barking, even do a little rewarding with your existing dog and the pup should follow. Never pander to fear it only increases it.

Pretty extreme comment!

I have no experience with Aussie Shepherds and don't know their characteristics, but as a working dog should the puppy be a GSD acting like that.............it has a temperament fault and would be getting my money back also. From a working dog perspective, Nekhbet's comment is not "extreme" at all.

[mrs tornsocks]

Our (lab) pup was frightened by ANY loud sharp and unexpected noise for the first week or two when he first came home and he's perfectly fine 7 months later (and got used to similar noises really quickly).

I wonder how much of this has Lucy been exposed to ? At 9 weeks, I assume not too much

I'm interested for my own education more than anything why a working dog would be regarded as having a temperament fault if (as a baby) was initially startled by a loud noise (not sure whether barking is different to say a car horn blowing). Obviously if she didn't get used to it and accept it quite quickly there would be an issue - but if a baby pup has never been exposed to this stuff, should it be somehow 'natural' not to react ?

[Shelby]

Could he see the dog that was barking at him or only hear him? Can be rather scary when they can hear a dog barking at them but not see them. He has been with you less than a week and all these places, people and noise are all new. I would be calm and talk normally to him and get his attention focused back on you.

Am sure as he gets more socialsed with more noises, he will be fine. But don't forget he is just a baby and take it small steps at a time. Each outing and visit should be an enjoyable time for him. You have to be aware of what is happening around you at all times and think ahead.

Must say that Banjo is a very handsome young man.

[poodlefan]

Sounds like he's got a strong startle reflex. Socialise him generally, exposing to as many different sights and sounds as possible.

He's not old enough yet but walking him with an older dog that gives him the "no big deal" message when things like that happen will help.

I would not be walking with him in your arms. You holding him still won't be teaching him to cope.

[Tilly]

Maybe try a recording of a dog barking ... have it on low and then build it up to loud

[Nekhbet]

I was just thinking that any puppy should be used to a dog barking. OK a car backfiring, whipper snipper for the first time thats a bit left wing, but another dog?

That or startling a lot is not a nerve I want in any pup I buy. Yes they will shy, but my dogs even as littlun's did it once then got over it and even showed curiosity. But to startle, startle, startle shows you will have to do a little more work with the dog as it's exposure has either been low or it has a weaker nerve for loud and new noises.

[Diablo]

I was just thinking that any puppy should be used to a dog barking. OK a car backfiring, whipper snipper for the first time thats a bit left wing, but another dog?

That or startling a lot is not a nerve I want in any pup I buy. Yes they will shy, but my dogs even as littlun's did it once then got over it and even showed curiosity. But to startle, startle, startle shows you will have to do a little more work with the dog as it's exposure has either been low or it has a weaker nerve for loud and new noises.

That's like the coke can test Nek, step on and squash a can next to the puppies. The one's that startle and bolt.........we don't want them, the one's who shy away then come back for a look or even pick up the squashed can is the better prospect. Old school temperament test ;)

[poodlefan]

I was just thinking that any puppy should be used to a dog barking. OK a car backfiring, whipper snipper for the first time thats a bit left wing, but another dog?

That or startling a lot is not a nerve I want in any pup I buy. Yes they will shy, but my dogs even as littlun's did it once then got over it and even showed curiosity. But to startle, startle, startle shows you will have to do a little more work with the dog as it's exposure has either been low or it has a weaker nerve for loud and new noises.

That's like the coke can test Nek, step on and squash a can next to the puppies. The one's that startle and bolt.........we don't want them, the one's who shy away then come back for a look or even pick up the squashed can is the better prospect. Old school temperament test

Testing reaction to unexpected loud noise is also part of the Vollhard Puppy Test. ;)

[Gemelo]

Peach (for everybody who doesn't know, is the same age as banjo but from a different litter) flipped her lid the first few times our other three ran and barked at the door, and hid in the corner.

She is pretty much fine with it now though, and couldnt care less about anything else, including wheelchairs and loud music and crowded areas (and some drunk people coming up and going "OMG ITS SOOOOOO CUTE!!")

Might just be because he is settling in, so Im guessing if your dog has a temperament fault so does mine..

[Lucy's mama]

He was great with barking today. A neighbouring black lab came to visit and barked and barked and barked at the cat through the window till the owner came to get him. Perhaps it was just that he couldn't see who as doing the barking last time.

He is still settling in so so well and enjoyed the first part of puppy preschool, then found a puddle on the concrete and slept through the rest lol.

[corvus]

Kivi Tarro used to run for the hills when another dog barked. It lasted for about a month or so, I think, but resolved itself as he gained confidence. Being a Lapphund raised with barky adult dogs, he had certainly heard dogs barking before. He just found it scary with new people in new surroundings. I reckon just make sure you have him on leash in unfamiliar surroundings until he settles in better. Things like that can pop up when you think they are gone but puppy is just in a new or slightly threatening situation.

Kivi is now just over 18 months old and is thoroughly comfortable with other dogs barking. He does a lot of barking himself!

[alpha bet]

'Danois' date='21st Nov 2009 - 08:25 PM' post='4135720']

from a breeder or a rescue? If he's from a breeder I'd be getting my money back

dont hold him up and cuddle, but teach him to cope little by little. If you have a calm dog already, perfect. Dont let him escape, start far away and reward him for ignoring the other dog barking, even do a little rewarding with your existing dog and the pup should follow. Never pander to fear it only increases it.

Pretty extreme comment!

I have no experience with Aussie Shepherds and don't know their characteristics, but as a working dog should the puppy be a GSD acting like that.............it has a temperament fault and would be getting my money back also. From a working dog perspective, Nekhbet's comment is not "extreme" at all.

After years working with GSD and now moved over to Aussies I can say that the GSD pup is generally much stronger in his response to new things. Not all working breeds are as strong as the GSD (for example the Border Collie, the Kelpie, the Rough Collie), therefore it can be unfair to compare the responses of your aussie boy with other breeds.

I dont think you have to much to worry about, it sounds like your Aussie has good recovery. Many individual dogs from all breeds can have some noise sensitivity and if you work slowly with him you can build his ability to handle.

Have fun