What is a fear stage? When and Why does this happen to some dogs?

[Waffles]

Hello,

I was just curious what the fear stage is because I am not sure if my EM is going through something or if she has just generally become more protective because she is older now... She was very socialized with humans of all shapes sizes and colors and dogs and cats since she was 8 weeks. I take her to work with me and there was always people in and out of my office that she would love to play with. Now when people come around she barks at them and her hair stands up on her back. She is now 1 year and 5 months old. She just finished her very first heat 2 weeks ago. She also barks at like really large or tall people.. I was embarrassed because she kept barking at this bigger lady (sorry) at the beach so I moved where we were sitting =\. Also, shouldn't she remember people by now? I get the same people coming in and out of my office and house sometimes and she still barks at them like they are brand new.
Did your dog go through a fear stage? Does anyone know when and why this happens and how to deal with it?

Thanks !

 

[SG1]

Hey waffels. I know exactly what you dog is doing great and why, I see this all the time.
First what your dog is doing is not fear aggregation or fear stage. My definition of fear agrees ion or fears stage is if your dog is retreating from someone and can't get away from them then bites that would be related to fear.

If you're bitch holds her ground and or advances then it sounds like she is simply maturing. She is gaining the confidence that the breed is supposed to have.

Her agreesion towards the people at work is because they are not a member of your pack. They don't go home with you feed or handle her so there is no need to respect them.
The reason she barks at tall people I believe is because she thinks they are a threat to you. Remember subordinate wolves approach the alpha with there head lower than that alpha not higher. Also fifteen months is the usual the turning point were a dog starts to assert them selves, sometimes sooner and sometimes later.

There is nothing wrong with your bitch she sounds like a dog I would like to have. Remember every dog is different. While some will let people out side your home pet them others won't. Learn how to control her so that she is not trying to nail everybody and tell your co-workers not to pet her anymore.

My philosophy on socialization is if my dog is not trying to attack you the he is being
social.
Take care of that great dog.


Y

 

[season]

Although I believe dogs go through stages of development I don't buy into all of these "stages"....Yes, they help relieve owners so they can point a finger at why their dog may be acting a certain way. In my opinion all dogs are uncertain of things early on but it's how we as leaders help them break through those things. If a puppy or young dog shows fear towards someone or something and we feed into it by giving comfort etc then all we are doing is reinforcing that. It's our job as leaders to protect and lead our dogs. Not the other way around. If your dog feels the need to always be on guard and protective then there is something your dog is missing in terms of leadership from you.

Example, Solo will bark, say at a squirrel or maybe someone passing by but all it takes is a command like "enough" from me and he is done. He believes that his leader has it under control.

The last thing you want is an overly anxious, fearful, overly protective dog. That's not balanced. That is stressful.

Socialization starts in the home. Too many ppl think it involves taking your dog to meet people and other dogs. Not the case. That should come later, after your dog is socialized in the home. Rules, boundaries and limitations. I want my dog to see people, places and things as part of his environment. Not something to get anxious and fearful about. I want my dog to be engaged with me, not distracted by everything that moves. When you are with your dog their is no reason it should feel the need to protect you, unless it sees you as someone that needs it.

 

[Waffles]

Oh wow thanks both posts were very helpful. I understand I need to be more assertive so she doesn't need to feel like she needs to protect me all the time. I am actually just about the same size as her haha so maybe now that she is getting bigger I am losing my place as alpha... I will tighten up the training and work on our quite command which does need a lot of help!

Thanks!

 

[season]

Oh wow thanks both posts were very helpful. I understand I need to be more assertive so she doesn't need to feel like she needs to protect me all the time. I am actually just about the same size as her haha so maybe now that she is getting bigger I am losing my place as alpha... I will tighten up the training and work on our quite command which does need a lot of help!

Thanks!

It's not about size...it's about energy.

 

[Smokeycat]

Given she just finished a heat cycle her hormones are still high and that could be part of the cause as well. It sounds like she is coming into her guarding ability and now the task is to teach her when she can guard and when she shouldn't.
To answer your question though, a fear stage IMO is when the puppy unexpectedly and without reason starts to be afraid of something that they previously were fine with. For example when Jiggers was 8 or 9 months old he became petrified of snowmen. I worked with desensitizing him for the next couple of months when suddenly he decided that they were fine again. For Kryten it was election signs on lawns. In both cases they would accept that they would be alright when I told them to stop but you could still see their discomfort.

 

[season]

It's not about size...it's about energy.

Dog's know a leader when they are around one and it has nothing to do with the size of the person....good luck!

 

[DDSK]

Kind of funny though my girl Zoey is very stable, but is friendlier and more forgiving to women than men, but that changes with tall women.
My son has a female friend that is well over 6 foot tall and a very sweet girl, but Zoey will not make up to her or her brother who is almost 7 foot tall.

 

[SG1]

Waffels, I would like to add that no matter what you do they may still exhibit the need to protect you. An example of that would be my male dogo, female dogo and male rott. When ever I would take one or all three for a walk I could stop and talk to anyone without my dogs interrupting by barking or trying to attack someone. My wife at the time would commute back and forth to Chicago with one of the dogs. She could walk any of the
dogs easily at heal without a problem. Whenever she was approached by someone male or female the dog would position themselves in front of her. Whenever the person would talk the would bark but would not bark when she talked.

The point to this post is that no matter how much of an alpha present you have your still a woman and they know it. You may have to live with some type of protection display
be it agression, barking or placing herself between you and another person.

 

[irina]

I would say gender has nothing to do with it. I am a female and my 1.5 yo corso listens to me much better than he does to my husband. But I would agree, you need to tell her when it is ok to guard and when she should chill it and mind her own business. I believe the owner should be in charge at all times and correct any undesirable behavior. If you are patient and consistent, the dog will get it eventually.

 

[ZoeTheMastiff]

We Got our mastiff at 4 months & the previous owner did not socialize her whatsoever. She is now 1 years old & is scared of EVERYTHING.. & I do mean of everything. It has been very frustrating & not fun dealing with her. Peeing in the house when hear a little noise.. Tried training her with professionals by but reverted back to her previous ways.. Last 2 days she will go potty outside (1 & 2) but come back in the house & go #2. Don't know what's going on..
I always loved mastiffs & this is my first time owning one & it hasn't been a good experience.

 

[season]

Keep in mind Zoe, it's a dog first...breed second. That being said, it's up to you to socialize now....dogs don't live in the past....take it to new places...see new things, walk, explore, lead. Build your confidence with your dog....your dog will appreciate you for it. It's up to you to show your dog it's safe, right now it's probably not feeling all that safe. Love won't make her feel that way. Leadership will.

 

[ZoeTheMastiff]

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Keep in mind Zoe, it's a dog first...breed second. That being said, it's up to you to socialize now....dogs don't live in the past....take it to new places...see new things, walk, explore, lead. Build your confidence with your dog....your dog will appreciate you for it. It's up to you to show your dog it's safe, right now it's probably not feeling all that safe. Love won't make her feel that way. Leadership will.

What do you suggest? I take her on walks & she is good but as soon as a car drives by or the tree moves from the wind she gets scared... Do I just let her know she's ok? Or what? We need help

 

[season]

I suggest you show her that she is safe. Yes, expose her to those things that scares her. Bring treats or something she likes, reward her when she sits and ignores those things. Baby steps at first but reinforce the positive behaviors. Let her start to associate those scary things with positive things. But u also need to be in a positive calm mindset. Don't reward her for being afraid. Don't soothe her in those moments. Give her praise and affection when she earns it.


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