Dog Community

Is this cause for concern or a potential good thing?

Posted : 2/3/2011 2:16:46 PM

Misty is truly "My" dog. She is almost always by my side, if we're in a new situation she looks to me specifically for reassurance, and if she is sound asleep and I stand up to go to another room, she immediately jumps to her feet to follow me. (it makes me chuckle though, because most of the time, she goes to my husband to ask to be let out to potty...like she's giving me a break from that task or something, haha)

Anyway, we've always noticed that when we horseplay around the house, she tries to break it up...she barks a lot and gets in the middle of it. She never nips or growls, so I wasn't sure if it was part of her herding traits or if she was also playing. Last week, my husband and I were up in our bedroom joking around and he started tickling me...I'm very ticklish so I was squealing and trying to get him to stop (but it was all in fun, we have a great relationship) and the next thing I knew, I saw Misty run to the top of the stairs and she ran full tilt the whole way down the hall to where we were in the bedroom and she had her ears back, barking wildly at my hubby. We were still laughing but he backed away from me....she kept barking at him for a few seconds like she was warning him to back off, and then she came over to me, tail-a-waggin'....seeming quite proud of herself. I'm not quite sure what to think of this. On one hand, it makes me realize that if any of us were being attacked or harmed in any way, she would protect us...but on the other hand, I don't really like it that she won't let us have any fun around here without butting in.

Do any of you have any ideas on how to balance this out? She is a wonderful and loving dog and has so many terrific qualities. It does make me wonder what dog breeds she really has in her...She herds, she guards, and she occasionally "points".

Thanks!

rwbeagles

Posted : 2/3/2011 2:34:14 PM

she sounds like your typical fun police type of dog. These dogs tend to be nervous in general...and insecure mostly. Not really a protective type of dog as much as unsure and worried. A TRULY protective dog knows an actual threat from a not real threat and that is not something common to see. It is HIGHLY doubtful in a secure happy house that anyone living there is an ACTUAL threat to another family member at any time really. Cleo hates when we yell at each other for ex...but she shows her displeasure by pacing, going from one of us to the other, or laying nearby looking worried. Never escalates and has never ever barked at anyone in the house.

I do not allow dogs to aggress at people in my household, ever. It is not their place. EVERYONE in this household has to right to do be etc without a dogs interference. Barking or anything like that would be greeted with a "place" or leave command and the dog would be expected to obey. Cleo knows when we all start acting a fool wrestling she can play BUT she is not allowed to put her mouth on us, nor does she bark, ever...her mouth is open and smiley and her body language is loose.

When the kids get to whaling on each other, and get a bit serious about it? She looks at ME, like "are you going to DO anything?"...if I don't she tries to get between them...and finally, she leaves the room, usually for her crate. This to me is appropriate, IMO.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 2/3/2011 6:53:43 PM

I agree with Gina (what else is new?). Jewel is the fun police, and spends a lot of time being told to go to her spot, or her kennel, for her behavior. She does it with the dogs, a LOT. That behavior can start fights, especially when you have 3 girls, introduced as adults. She'll do it with humans, too, and it's a big no no. It's a control freak thing, LOL. "I don't like that! You stoppitNOW!"

ETA: Bean is a far more secure, balanced dog (quirky, but much more balanced!). She has, a couple of times in her life, stood between me and someone, and growled. I know, for a fact, that at least one of those people meant no good. I take that as a sign that she's a good judge of character, and expert at reading body language (as most dogs are!). That never gets corrected. Low, serious growls are very different than "Shaddup!" barks.

tiffy

Posted : 2/3/2011 8:31:45 PM

Tootsies nickname is the "fun police". No funny stuff when shes around. At least, thats what she thinks. If she starts acting the "fool", I just tell her to "beat" it.

oranges81

Posted : 2/10/2011 1:25:29 PM

Maze is also the fun police. Heaven forbid anyone in the house has fun. And if someone is wrestling with Sandy, forget it! What we do here is tell her to Bugger off and that we're allowed to play with Sandy. She usually gets the hint, but sometimes I'll have to give her a Leave command.