Hello all...my beloved Great Dane, Rory has taken to growling when I get home for work and yelping at inappropriate times...like 4 am...in a continuous pattern...which keeps me awake all night. Nothing has changed at home, except for the three parrots I bought to keep him company, eenie, meenie and minie. They are usually kept in their cages, but sometimes I let them move around the house. Any idea what gives with Rory?
2007-02-15 05:49:24 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Some of the answers I've seen for your question make me wonder if people even know what a dog is. Simply put, your home is pleanty big enough, they don't need a mansion to live in. But they do require lots of exercise. From what it sounds like, he's not getting enough. Long walks are in order for Rory, both before and after work. (This may help rid of the growling when you return home from work because he'll be expecting to walk instead.) Also, when you're home, don't allow him to get anxious when someone comes to the door. It sounds like there is a power struggle for leadership. You're lacking authority somewhere, to Rory, you're an unsuitable leader, so he feels the need to take over. As far as the 4am wake up call goes. The fact that you tollerate it for more than one yelp is crazy in its own, but to allow it to go on in a continuous pattern is mind boggling. If he does this, take control!! Let him know it's not okay! Not by yelling at him or hitting him. A simple touch to the side of the neck will do, with an assertive "sshhtt!!". You need to redirect his attention, because clearly it gets lost somewhere. If he continues, touch him again with a more assertive, "Rory, no!". If rather than doing this you try to console him, and by this I mean petting him and saying "No, Rory, it's okay. It's okay Rory, sshhhh, it's okay, baby." The only impression he's getting is that it's okay to act that way. It's not. Let him know it's unacceptable and the problem will stop. The other important factor is to remember to reward him when he represents good behavior. Rewards don't always come in cookies and treats, but when he is calm and submissive, show him affection by massaging his neck and back. This lets him know which things are not acceptable, and which things he can do to gain affection. A very effective training method. So a recap. Take back your control, and give that guy the exercise he needs! He's a big dog with lots of energy to get out, and if you don't get it out by walking him, (at least twice a day for 45 minutes) then he'll get it out in his own way, and chances are you won't be happy with it. This problem needs to be fixed before the growling turns into a more dangerous stage of aggression.
2007-02-15 06:12:55 · answer #1 · answered by Lily 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OH LORD! some people either dont read these things thoroughly or just enjoy being butts.. as for the others, they have good points. how old is rory? whats the dogs health like? how long has rory been the only household pet? maybe it is the fact that rory is not the only one in the house any more getting attention.
as far as being in the house, AKC has classified the great dane as a good apartment dog because they love being right there with you and dont need all the extra exersize.
have you had rory's hips and spine vet checked. i would definately have that checked as that is a common problem with danes. after laying in one spot they can get sore and stiff and holler when they move. good luck
until you have that checked i would not implement any new walking routines as if this is the problem, more exersize will only make this worse. thats what helped make my dane worse. i recently had to have her put down due to hip displasya. she would yelp and holler. sometimes growl. would leave small puddles of pee where she was laying. hope all turns out ok
GREAT DANES ARE LIKE NO OTHER BREED.
2007-02-15 06:20:05 · answer #2 · answered by twrider_29 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any time a dogs behavior changes it is time for a vet check up to see what is going on. Hopefully Rory has a vet that knows him so they can help you evaluate his health.
Sheesh, I just saw your other post. I mistakenly thought this was a serious question. I can not type what I'm thinking or I would get booted. Can you read minds?
2007-02-15 06:00:24 · answer #3 · answered by Stick to Pet Rocks 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
three parrots to keep a dog company? ooook...i'm not even going to get into that...
you didn't say how old the dog was. health problems can cause a change in behavior. older dogs especially. you should take rory to a very to rule out anything like that! the growling concerns me. if the vet rules out health problems you might want to consult a behaviorist.
2007-02-15 06:00:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you really think 3 birds is going to keep a huge outdoor working dog like that entertained? He needs to be on a ranch or farm not cooped up in some damn little apt/house all day! Thats called animal CRUELTY!
What most people dont realize about Danes. They only live to 7 years old.!! Might as well get a hamster or goldfish instead.
2007-02-15 05:55:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
he is probably lonley if you want to give him someone to play with get him a puppy or a kong toy filled up so that he will be entertained for most of the day or stop home to let him out and sometimes when they wine at night they are either scared, lonley or really have to go to the bathroom. WHen he growls when you get home it means that he thinks that you are an intruder my neighbors dog does that when i come in to pet sit for them but then she sees that its me and is all happy again hope this helped
2007-02-15 06:01:15 · answer #6 · answered by angie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How old is your dog? If he's a fully mature dog or older dog and he is doing this out of the blue, he may be getting some sort of dementia or other mental problem.
2007-02-15 05:57:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
YEAH your back. How are the cats?? What happened with the girlfriend did Rory run her off for good??
2007-02-16 02:12:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may just be a sign of a bladder problem, if he is old. He might just not be able to wait to go to the bathroom in the morning. He might need to go out at 4. Maybe he doesnt like the birds? My gf has a cat , and the cat is fine when i am not there, but when i sleep there, he wakes up at 6am to meow at me because he doesnt want me there in his spot. so maybe he just gets mad he doesnt have it to himself? Or he is sick, or just wants to go out or play.
2007-02-15 06:03:45 · answer #9 · answered by dave k 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The tracking devices in the parrots are interfering with the signal in the microchip in Rory's ear. Please get rid of the parrots so that we can continue to moniter your daily activities.
2007-02-15 05:59:02 · answer #10 · answered by Mo the treehugger! 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋