Hi guys  Nina's started being really strange!  Today she started barking at a stranger who was walking past as i was trying to put her into the bus, hackles and all.  She's been well socialised threw out her life, shes now thirteen months.  I dont know whether it's due to her age but i want this nipping in the bud.  What do i do? help! genuine advice sort.

my eldest can be a bit nervous around people and barks-not all the time, but on occasions. I find that as soon she exhibits a sign she's going to have one of her wazzes, i turn her round and walk her the other way, then walk back towards the object of the bark. I do this until she's completely calm, and praise her when she is. It works really well with her, although its sometimes made difficult if i have the "little 'un" aswell.

nicola

Thanks Nicola i was quite concerned when she done this as she was pulling me towards him and i dont want her frightening people because she is big. As i pulled her away, there was a woman walking on the other side of the road, she started barking at her aswell i dont know what's gotten into her:rolleyes: but i will try what you've mentioned.

Regards Susan

Mine are very well socialised and  will sometimes bark at people because they pick up on someting... maybe in the way a person looks moves  or looks at them or is carrying because they are a breed with strong guarding instinct.  It happens once in a blue moon and catches me out. My last dog would bark if someone was a little Autistic or something...  they easily pick up on these things.   Not saying this guy was strange... but he might have been.  If I get thrown out and embarassed or feel awkward about it they both join in! But if I relax and say  oh don't be silly leave him alone and keep walking they settle down quicker. 

The last time they did this we had wal;ked past a house where the dogs wen't nad barking and banging at the house window and my dog's were getting wound up and then a lady in a funny looking coat came running out of her house down the street to chatt a friend and my two started barking at her. So I told her they were just being silly and she called their bluff and came to fuss them and they loved her to bits. It'  hard to know which way to play things though hen au unexpected behaviour suddenly catches you out.

I think you are right about the age too... mine are this age and they are maturing... I think they shock themselves too sometimes with their more adult awarness of danger kickng in as well as other things.

Thanks Tenaj