Hi folks!
Bailey is now just over 16 months. He's an absolute darling, affectionate, loyal, fairly well behaved! lol. However a couple of incidents have worried me.
Over the past couple of months he has started barking at people randomly. People that have had a bit too much to drink, and "loud" people seem to make him bark, and only sometimes when someone puts their hand out to stroke him or talk to him, he starts barking.
Last week, we went into Edinburgh for the Fringe Festival. It was very busy. A young man came up and put his hand out to let Bailey sniff his hand, but Bailey went absolutely ballistic, really aggressive! The guy was a bit of a pain, and wouldnt let up, so ended up walking away dragging a snarling, barking dog with me.
It happened again today, we were watching a wedding outside a church. A young girl was stroking him, and he was ok. However, a man ran past us, and Bailey again went ballistic, even trying to have a go at my hand when I tried to calm him down, although I have to say, he wasnt interested in hurting me, just getting me to get off his collar. Obviously the young girl got a fright. He even knows the man that ran past.
I took him for a long walk, he was fine. My sons friends came to the door, one of them put his hand out to let Bailey sniff and it happened again, snarling and barking. I hate seeing him like this, its totally out of character. We have never had a dominence problem with him, in fact we've always thought he was a bit soft. He loves other dogs, is fine with people he knows (except this 1 man today, but was ok the other day when we saw him!). We have two cats, and he is fine with them. Hubby thinks he might need neutering, but Im reluctant unless its really necessary, but dont want to wait until he hurts someone. Its very random and Im struggling to think of any common denominator with these people that Bailey has a dislike to.
Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated. Other than that we couldnt ask for a better dog but this is now starting to worry me alot.
Thanks
Elisa & Bailey