Barking and lunging at the door when someone knocks

krisnkaipo · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 11:01 am Post subject:

I agree a dog is a dog; however, while I appreciate being alerted to the door or whatever, I don't need him to KEEP telling me after I have acknowledged him! I have found that he has begun to understand that I heard him the first time, if I call him over to me ask him to sit and look him in the eye. He will still rush the door, but he doesn't try to bite the person on the other side anymore......yes this was an issue at first. Wilson loves tennis balls so I began to tell everyone at the door to grab a ball and hand it to him. Worked wonders!

As a woman who lives alone I have NO WORRIES sleeping with the windows open and the door unlocked! You would have to be a fool to not be Wilson's friend and try to sneak into our house. I love it! If you are a friend and you sneak in, yell his name and he changes from attack into play mode! If he doesn't know you, I can pretty much guarantee you will feel the pain. I am ok with that, as is our local humane society. This behaviour is NOT considered aggressive and is allowable. He may still have to be quarantined due to a bite and the rabies law, but it is not considered a black mark on his record.

He also alerts to the doorbell on TV, which is soooo annoying (but pretty funny) I point him to the TV and say "TV" now if he alerts on the TV doorbell and I say "TV" he runs over to the TV and looks at me. It is very cute, so hard to be mad at him even if he is annoying!

anne · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 1:15 pm Post subject:

Alerting behavior is normal. Weims should be somewhat protective (NOT aggressive). They should also have manners. For us that means, barking when someone walks onto our property is good. Shutting up after I ask them to shut up is necessary. Jumping on people - sorry, not allowed, unless invited.

anne · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 1:19 pm Post subject:

Also an observation. Dogs are acutely aware of their environment. I live in the city where my neighbors are close. They will not bark at any of my neighbors when they make noises or if someone they know comes on my property. If my neighbors have friends over and they hear them talking, they bark! I joke with them that my dogs are also protecting THEIR property too. Smile