Dog Community

need some info.

Posted : 4/12/2006 2:26:59 PM

i want to know something ,... when i look in my dogs eyes when he is exited he barks furiously at me. could anone tellme why does he do that? i actuallyy get afraid of him and turm my back towards him so as not to catch his eye.

forpaws

Posted : 4/12/2006 2:36:40 PM

when i look in my dogs eyes when he is exited he barks furiously at me. could anone tellme why does he do that? i actuallyy get afraid of him and turm my back towards him so as not to catch his eye.

Jehani, One of two things could be going on here. Usually if you stare in a dogs eyes, he could preceive that as a threat and is reacting to this. Or he could be frustrated at you for not doing something he wants you to do.
Turning your back on him is a good idea and not making eye contact also. But DO NOT SHOW you FEAR him or he will pick that up to and it could escalate into an attack or bite.
Mic, Ron or Anne S could probably tell you how to handle this better than I can.

glenmar

Posted : 4/12/2006 4:42:57 PM

There is a difference between sharing a loving gaze with your dog and staring at him when he is excited. I regularly share long gazes with my gsd's, but when they are calm and relaxed. Some dogs take staring as a challenge.........

spiritdogs

Posted : 4/12/2006 10:08:57 PM

Some dogs need to be taught that you aren't threatening them when you make eye contact. Others need to understand that it's ok for them to make eye contact with you. Training for attention, or training a "watch me" command can help.

probe1957

Posted : 4/13/2006 12:23:05 PM

I think it is a good thing you are afraid. For whatever reason, your dog is taking your staring at him as a threat. He is giving you a warning, IMHO, and it wise of you to heed it.

Stan Rawlinson

Posted : 4/16/2006 2:54:46 AM

All the posters are correct eye contact is to some dogs and especially the guarding breeds may be seen as a challenge. If you wish to read more about canine language I have done a couple of articles on just this subject you can view on numerous places including K9 magazine and Shooting Times or on my site this is part one [linkhttp://www.doglistener.co.uk/language/language_canine.shtml]http://www.doglistener.co.uk/language/language_canine.shtml[/link] and part two is [linkhttp://www.doglistener.co.uk/language/language_canine2.shtml]http://www.doglistener.co.uk/language/language_canine2.shtml[/link]

This is one of my GSDs called Kai but he is OK with eye contact and he is one of lifes smilers

Stan

forpaws

Posted : 4/16/2006 8:03:27 AM

Wonderful articles Stan. I have tried to join your forum with no luck as of yet.

I have kept your web address on file to visit often.

Thanks for sharing.

Stan Rawlinson

Posted : 4/17/2006 1:53:00 AM

Thank you forpaws for your comments.

I wonder why are you having problems joining the forum?

If it is the PAACT forum then unfortunately that is for PAACT members only and members have to demonstrate that they are professional trainers or behaviourists as it is an organisation for professionals in the canine world . However if it is the Doglistener forum then you should have no problems. Do E mail if you continue having problems there is a few Americans on their already

By the way I write professionally for most of the UK pet and dog magazines and am the behavioural consultant for Disney. I represented them recently on TV, Radio and National Press. I am also just completeing a book.

Stan