Our once placid and easy going Harry is starting to be a bit of a growler and today (and yesterday) he tried to snap at other doggies.
We are not sure if he's just being protective or if he feels threatened. Can't see it being the latter as he's a bold big lad. He's a right growler in the back garden too if he hears next door''d dog.He's had his bits off too!
He's a big sook with people thank god!
What do folk reckon - big dose of socialisation needed with non-greys?
It seems to have developed over the past month I reckon. He meets quite a few dogs - big dog walking territory here and in our Cul-de-sac we have 8 dogs!
It's a bit hit and miss - sometimes he's fine then sometimes he sees a dog in the distance and the head goes down into stalking mode.
Then....he can just walk past dogs and not bother. He doesn't go mad at them - just gives a growl and if they are close he may try to snap. The only small dog I let him kind of near on the lead is a staffie who shows no fear - Pearly plays with him off lead now and again.
He's a massive big sook otherwise.
I think we need to get him socialised a bit more. He's a big rough lad at times - poor Fiona has two BIG scrapes down her leg tonight - he claws when he get excited.
Dave - labs and golden retrievers are good growling territory and small fluffy dogs too. Out of all the usual doggies that we see, the only one he didn;t growl at was a Burmese. He even growled at a 14 year old blind and deaf colie lab cross! Oh - and a Weinmaraner (is that how you spell it?).
Think it must be a different breed thing as he's been good on the GAL walks - just nipped poor wee Murphy as he could see others were having too much fun.
I like to let him loose muzzled in a field near us - but I have to do this 5.30pm or last thing before it gets dark
Poor lad - I'm making him sound like the hound of the Baskervilles - which he isnn't
Our dog walker thinks he's being protective of Pearly?
Also, it was Carole who wondered if he was being protective of Pearly. I'm inclined to agree with her on that, as Harry really seems to love Pearly (despite the fact that he's always biffing her with his paws when he gets excited!) .
quote: Originally posted by: Steve " I like to let him loose muzzled in a field near us - but I have to do this 5.30pm or last thing before it gets dark
Our dog walker thinks he's being protective of Pearly?