Starting to lash out!

[jak3]

Hi everyone, my Alfie is by no means an aggressive dog, however lately he has started a behaviour that I'm at a bit of a loss as to how to stop it as I don't know what's causing it or why he's doing it, he has always loved attention and out and about wants everyone to talk to him, lately however if we are out, outside shop or something and someone comes over to talk to him and he sits loving getting peted no problem however as soon as they take there hand away he snaps after it and starts barking crazy at them, and not in a playful way it's more like in a threatened way. It's only with strangers but it's at the point now am on edge when we are out and anyone comes near him as people dont always ask to come and pet him, do I just not let anyone talk to him or does anyone have any suggestions as to why he could be doing it and how to stop it? I should say that he has never actually bit anyone and it doesn't seam like that's his intention more like a warning but even so I can't take the risk on something happening.

Sorry for going on and thanks!

[elaine.e]

I'm no expert but it sounds to me as though Archie isn't enjoying being petted any longer. He's being polite and showing restraint while the petting continues then when the hand is removed perhaps he feels a release of anxiety and that's why he's giving a warning then that he hasn't liked being petted.

My Louis doesn't like being approached and touched by strangers, especially men. He wags his tail a bit but I can tell by his expression that he's afraid. He's air snapped and growled under his breath once or twice when people have insisted on petting him even though I've firmly but politely asked them not to

I'm not saying that Archie is as fearful as Louis is, but I reckon he's definitely anxious and for that reason it might be best to stop strangers from touching him. Worst case scenario is that if his warnings continue to be ignored he may stop giving them and bite without warning.

[jak3]

He actually seems a lot more anxious and on edge in general lately , the past few days he won't settle at night and runs around snapping at the air and hiding, but only at night we thought it was a fear of flys as there was one flying about the other night in the house but there are non and he's doing it again, ( maybe small flys we cant see) I'm wondering if it could be due to he has started sleeping upstairs with us as he out grew his crate so it's in the garage could it be a security thing cos that's gone? The past few days he has been quite twitchy.

[Top Barks]

How old is he?

[jak3]

He is 9 1/2 months.

[Top Barks]

thought as much, second fear stage of puppy hood seems to have kicked in.

Found this on the net.

Second Fear Imprint Period (6 - 14 Months) The Second Fear Imprint Period is similar to the one that occurred during the socialization period, but, it is much less defined. It occurs as dogs enter adolescence and seems more common in males. It is often referred to as adolescent shyness. Your dog may suddenly become reluctant to approach something new or suddenly become afraid of something familiar. This behavior can be very frustrating to the owner and difficult to understand because its onset is so sudden and, seemingly, unprovoked. If you notice this behavior, it is important to avoid the two extremes in response: Don't force him to do or approach something frightening to him and don't coddle or baby him. To get through situations that make your dog fearful, be patient, kind, and understanding. Desensitize him to the object or situation by gradually introducing him to it and using food rewards and praise to entice him to confront the fearful object or situation. Do not coddle or reassure him in any way that will encourage his fearful behavior. Do not correct him either. Simply make light of it and encourage him give him food rewards as he begins to deal with his fear better. Make sure you lavishly praise his attempts! This phase will pass.

Have a look at this it may help.
http://clickerleash.wordpress.com/2009/08/23/look-at-that-a-counterintuitive-approach-to-dealing-with-reactive-dogs/

And this video shows a useful behaviour that might help.

http://video.about.com/dogs/Teach-Hand-Targeting-to-Dogs.htm

[jak3]

Thanks alot that sounds like it fits in, he has been alot more up tight in the house aswell barking at the slightest noises, and past few days seems to have got alot worse and he has been going in to the kitchen and laying in the spot under the counter his crate used to be- maybe somewhere he feels safer? Now that I have an idea what could be causing it I can try to help him.

[jak3]

Sorry for going on everyone but I need some more advice, the theory of adolecence shyness seems to fit as explains alot if his behaviour lately, but I'm at a loss now how to correct it, the main issue we are having is his snapping at strangers, iv been googling all morning but can't find anything that ties in to his behaviour, when people approach him he is fine with them prying him they could even do it for 5mins and he would appear fine however it seems to be when they withdraw there hand he snaps and starts barking, with fear I would expect it to be the opposite as in when they approach, he doesn't do it with us but there are some people he has known since a pup that he is doing it to, but also not everyone, do I stop people talking to him completely? Even people he knows or does that reinforce the fear? Will it pass or get worse, am at a loss anyone that could give advice on techniques to help or anything would be appreciated, also do we give him in to trouble when it happens or does this make him more fearful? Thanks again!

[Top Barks]

 Did you not look at the Links I posted?

[jak3]

Hi top barks, yes I had a look at the link, I may have interpritated it wrong thou but I took the clicker leash exercise to be for dogs that have a fear/ reaction to a certain object however Alfie does not seem to have a fear of strangers or people touching him it's when they withdraw that the lunging happens, I don't really know much about training so may be wrong , can that technique be used for his problem and how would I go about it as there wouldn't be anything to use as a stimulus during the training, thanks again, hope that made sence .

[Top Barks]

Did you look at the hand target video, that's the one that will really help with the issue you mentioned. I would also stop folks petting him as he obviously isn't dealing with it too well,  could you get them to drop treats for him instead?
You need to work on desensitizing him to hands coming in and leaving his personal space and this is not best done with strangers initially.
He probably isn't liking the fuss and as the hand moves away, he is just doing his bit to ensure it stays away in future.
hopes that makes sense.
i use fake hands like these

 http://www.mekuti.co.uk/assessor_shop.htm

to help my clients and dogs with this sort of issue  but  it might be worth looking into employing a behaviour adviser to help you through this.

[jak3]

I don't have the softwear to watch the video, will try have a look at it on work computer tomorrow. I had thought to try give someone a treat to give to him when they finish peting him to try and make it a positive association, maybe try with people he knows but doesn't see every day and build up as he doesn't do it with me or my partner , the problems are in the streets when not everyone asks to approach your dog and just start petting him. The help is greatly appreciated could this be linked with the adolescence shyness also? I have been reading up about it today and seems to fit in with his recent behaviour, thanks for the help again I was starting to despair due to the change in personality that seemed unprovoked!

[Top Barks]

it is something some dogs go through, but it is up to you to ensure that you just don't let folks do something which puts him in a position where he feels the need to react.
look at the video when you get chance and you will see how it can help your problem.
Here is another link of me teaching a hand target to a new dog, it is the second half of this video that may be helpful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFoLHsbqMiQ

[jak3]

Thanks, managed to look at that second video, I will need to buy a clicker, tried to give it a wee go there just wanting to check if he's sniffing my hand does that count or does it need to be a nudge then for him to back off, he's just sniffing trying to get to the other side of my hand. Looks like it would be easier with the clicker as it would be a clear signal.

[Top Barks]

personally I'd go for the full nudge but you are trying to get across to him that hands coming into his space can be rewarding so you could click any desirable behaviour around hands if you wanted to