The past few weeks I have noticed an increase in Milly's fear response. Basically she is getting scared of more things, more often...Really tall people, black suvs that pull up next to us, any sort of noise outside the home..(well the last one, she just barks...doesnt seemed scared). She never shows any fear at home, it is when we are out. In response to her fear, she barks...To others, I know her bark must sound scary. Is this a normal stage at 8 months? She has never been abused(i have had her since 9 weeks)She has never acted so skittish before..I don't understand. What made me bring this up today, was the other day we were picking up a prescription at Walgreen's through the drive-thru window. It was dark out and a Black SUV with dark windows pulled up in the lane next to us...A 7-9 yr old girl in the back rolled the window down(Milly's window was cracked) and started screaming "Marma Duke" at her..Milly was spooked when the SUV pulled up and then when this happened she started barking/growling..You could tell she was scared and barking because of that. I rolled up her window and tried to distract her...We had to wait 10 minutes as I was trapped in the drive thru with cars in front and in back of me..The whole time Milly was barking..I couldn't get her to stop. She would stop briefly and as soon as she looked over at the SUV would start again. Most of the incidents of her fear/barking are when we are in the car and someone pulls up next to us..I still remember the first time it ever happened...We were stopped at a red light and a guy wearing a helmet on a motorcycle(looked pretty scary!) stopped right on our tails...That really spooked her and ever since that she is weary of cars pulling up..Now at the drive thru's (McD's, Bank, etc) she is a happy girl....;She keeps her head out, trying to lick everyone that we come into contact with expecting a treat..(which she usually gets)
Then last night at our agility class there was a very tall, very "aggressive" type lady there...She was "all over" Milly...I kindly told her that Milly was going through a fear stage and asked her if she could step back a little becasue Millys body language was very nervous.
I am going to B&N later to look for a good book on the subject...Can anyone make a recommendation or give me some advice... How should I handle her barking at cars that pull up? I would also point out she is very protective of our home..I was not really expecting that from a Dane. Growing up, I remember thinking Shaz would lick a robber to death if anything... Another thing is she likes other people, but is "weary" when first meeting them..I say she is doing "Stranger Danger"...my 5 yr old daughter does the same thing. Once she knows someone she loves them to pieces, but she is definitely cautious at first. I am keeping a close eye on her body language at all times and I always shake the persons hand first while I have her in a sit and explain to them what I am doing.
As always...any ideas, reassurance, advice or constructive criticism is appreciated!
Then last night at our agility class there was a very tall, very "aggressive" type lady there...She was "all over" Milly...I kindly told her that Milly was going through a fear stage and asked her if she could step back a little becasue Millys body language was very nervous.
I am going to B&N later to look for a good book on the subject...Can anyone make a recommendation or give me some advice... How should I handle her barking at cars that pull up? I would also point out she is very protective of our home..I was not really expecting that from a Dane. Growing up, I remember thinking Shaz would lick a robber to death if anything... Another thing is she likes other people, but is "weary" when first meeting them..I say she is doing "Stranger Danger"...my 5 yr old daughter does the same thing. Once she knows someone she loves them to pieces, but she is definitely cautious at first. I am keeping a close eye on her body language at all times and I always shake the persons hand first while I have her in a sit and explain to them what I am doing.
As always...any ideas, reassurance, advice or constructive criticism is appreciated!
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