We moved into a new home 6 months ago. At first, our 1 year old Jack Russell Terrier, Oliver, barked at everybody that walked by our house. He sits up in the window & watches, & now that he's gotten to know people, he barks occasionally, except for one neighbor.
When this older man walks by the house, Oliver barks constantly, growls, and his hair stands up. When I step outside the house and this man walks by, Oliver runs to the fence barking and growling. Oliver will even be sleeping in the living room, and it's almost like he can sense this man outside, because he'll run to the window barking. THIS IS THE ONLY PERSON HE DOES THIS TOO!! Strangers come to the door and he doesn't act like this.
My husband wants to get a shock collar to curb him of this barking, but my gut says he's trying to tell me something. Is Oliver sensing something bad, or is it that he just doesn't like him?
2007-01-31 10:11:09 · 26 answers · asked by patience3987 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Oh, and Oliver hasn't been abused or hit or taunted by anyone. He doesn't like to be left alone, so when we go outside, he's with us.
2007-01-31 10:20:05 · update #1
Yes, dogs are extremely keen to people's feelings and personalities. I would be wary of this man if I were you, even if he is not a bad person, he is exhibiting some type of behavior that your dog wants to alert you to or protect you from. If it were just barking I wouldn't be as concerned, but the growling and raised hair are very aggressive traits for a dog to show, especially a people loving breed like your terrier.
Don't get a shock collar either way - that's like shocking a kid who talks to much.
2007-01-31 10:17:07 · answer #1 · answered by margarita 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Don't pay any attention to the people here that side with your husband. Your dog is your friend and whether you r husband wants to admit it or not, your protector as well. By any chance, does your husband disconnect the fire alarm if it goes off when there is no fire?
Not all dogs are a good judge of character - but a good many of them are - regardless of their size or breed. Dogs don't make bad decisions - people do - and right now, your husband is trying to folow through on a bad decision. If I were you. I wouldn't trust this one man that your dog barks at.
You can be pleasant to him in a neighborly way - just don't let your guard down. People are more easily fooled than their dogs. You are aware that almost all the violence that occurs in a home shows no sign of forced entry. Somebody let the bad guy in - and you can bet it wasn't the dog!
If anything, ditch your husband and keep your dog. Perhaps your husband should wear a shock collar for those times when he wants to do something stupid.
2007-01-31 11:57:51 · answer #2 · answered by north79004487 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can't believe half of the replies I am reading. This neighbor shouldn't be judged because of your dogs' reaction to him. The dog can sense certain things that he doesn't find acceptable to the person. Much in the same way a child will cry toward certain people. It isn't fully understood how animals comprehend people or other animals - only the end result. So assuming your dog reacts this way because your neighbor is "bad," is a huge leap in the wrong direction. I liked the comment of the person above who said it could be due to past abuse by someone who looks like the person. Dogs are extremely complex and judging someone else as a monster even though he hasn't done anything wrong isn't going to help matters.
2007-01-31 10:23:59 · answer #3 · answered by Bluefast 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Does the old man shuffle when he walks or walk oddly? My American Bulldog loves people but HATES backpacks or large packages.Weird,never been abused or anything.Just something about the movement. Does the old man drink alcohol some dogs don't like that smell. Maybe the old man struck the dog or yelled at him or something.It just may be something in his smell maybe he is ill and the dog can smell it.It could be a lot of things.I would not get a shock collar on him just for that. He isn't doing anything wrong.It would probably confuse him more.
2007-01-31 10:21:56 · answer #4 · answered by Wow!guitar 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Jack Russels are smart, agressive, and fear nothing> We have one, so I am telling you from experience.
Dogs are great judges of character. You observe the man carefully and try to find out what is setting off your dog.. Dogs do not do these things for no reason. I will bet that there is something wrong there.
A shock collar for a Jack Russel? (Mr. Macho wants to dominate the dog)That is a cruel punishment of a dog whose breed has been prized for their barking ability and fearless character for a very long time. PLEASE read the breed standard!
2007-01-31 11:17:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believe they can. A dog I used to have was a great judge of character - he loved almost everyone, and if he didn't like someone, I paid attention, because he accurately pointed out a couple of bad people to me.
On the other hand, it is possible that someone may just remind a dog of a bad previous experience - he may look or smell like someone who mistreated the dog in the past. My current dog was mistreated by some small kids, so now she dislikes most small kids. So I think it really depends on the dog, if that's any help.
2007-01-31 10:19:57 · answer #6 · answered by Bess2002 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes dogs can get bad vibes from people. I had a dog once that we were gonna breed him with another womans dog and he hated her son and would bark and growl at him come to find out that the boy was a drug dealer user and was kinda psycho. dont get a shock collar if its just one person theres no sense in that. Just keep your dog away freom the old man,
2007-01-31 10:21:03 · answer #7 · answered by azn_butterfly2124 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The dog probably doesn't like the man or senses something wrong with him.I say don't get the shock collar and find a way to occupy him when this neighbor is around.Play with his favorite toy or something if its possible to get him to ignore the man that would be best.
2007-01-31 10:18:38 · answer #8 · answered by That gurl they call Lil T 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i think of Lola being in warmth brought about the habit. An animal remains an animal and could have instincts no count what the breed. That heady scent while a dogs is in warmth can set off those organic instincts. dogs could additionally act in yet in any different case while their proprietors have their era. My boy dogs are greater conserving of me and a dash greater jealous of the different, like it incredibly is their interest to observe over me (they're the two greater territorial over me). i be conscious of what is going on so I artwork with them and prepare them to grant me greater advantageous area so they are able to't be authentic next to me. the phobia that your pal is what could reason a challenge. If she is afraid, the dogs will take over the placement of chief and your pal will become submissive to the dogs. The dogs would not be conscious of that your pal is afraid through incident, they simply be conscious of which you're scared.
2016-10-16 09:22:03 · answer #9 · answered by silvi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a problem with my neighbour's dog. It's a dominance thing. A lot of dogs are cowardly bullies. They bark at people when they sense the person is scared of them. If the person has an air of confidence the dog senses that and becomes submissive and doesn't bark. The old man is probably a gentle soul who is being harrassed by your dog.
You can probably tell I'm a cat person!
2007-01-31 10:17:41 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋