Post by loopylou on Jun 20, 2008 15:43:52 GMT -5
In two weeks we will have had Suggs a year.He was scared of life ,,didn't trust anyone apart from me for months and was very gentle and obedient, I'm guessing mainly through not knowing how to be a 'real dog'.I don't mean dogs can't be gentle and obedient but this was too much so.Now he is a different dog,no longer spooky in social situations more wary on a good day or nervous on a bad day.In the home he knows the humans are top dog and doesn't try to challenge that, but has developed a very strong guarding of the house instinct, barking really loudly if any one knocks the door,barking at dogs on tv and the other day in the garden he was on his hind legs barking at a dog he could hear a few doors away.While on our walk the other day a scenario familiar with many of you occurred the off lead, uncontrolled dog. It was harassing Suggs and Molly, not in a playful way either.It kept trying to get at Molly who was on lead as was Suggs.(it was a bitch) Molly's body language should have warned the dog off but it persisted and started to growl at her, Suggs who until that point had been hiding behind me 
suddenly gave a deep growl and snarl and made towards it.Fortunately I had hold of his collar as well as his lead and he didn't get near enough to do any damage and the dog cleared off.This is probably going to sound really stupid but although I'm really pleased he's gained so much confidence I'm a bit worried my lovely gentle boy may start to get a bit too cocky and become aggressive towards other dogs.Maybe its just the fact he's changed so much and I'm like a mum who realizes her baby isn't actually a baby anymore and doesn't need her quite so much but he's never ever growled or barked at another dog before choosing to keep away if any trouble started.I'm glad he can now hold his own but wondering if he's likely to get a bit too sure of himself now he feels brave, I just have a gut feeling which could be wrong that this is just the beginning. 
Any thoughts on my paranoia.
suddenly gave a deep growl and snarl and made towards it.Fortunately I had hold of his collar as well as his lead and he didn't get near enough to do any damage and the dog cleared off.This is probably going to sound really stupid but although I'm really pleased he's gained so much confidence I'm a bit worried my lovely gentle boy may start to get a bit too cocky and become aggressive towards other dogs.Maybe its just the fact he's changed so much and I'm like a mum who realizes her baby isn't actually a baby anymore and doesn't need her quite so much but he's never ever growled or barked at another dog before choosing to keep away if any trouble started.I'm glad he can now hold his own but wondering if he's likely to get a bit too sure of himself now he feels brave, I just have a gut feeling which could be wrong that this is just the beginning. Any thoughts on my paranoia.