More Lincoln things

[Diane Denney]

Hi Everyone!!

Well I have another Lincoln situation. As I passed another dog while walking Lincoln and my dog Scott the other day Lincoln is becoming extremely excited barking and growling as we walk past, and I have to hang on really tight. Tonight another dog walked by on the other side of the street and he did the same thing. When I'm at PetSmart for training I socialize Lincoln, and most dogs he's fine with, and wants to play. He seems to like little dogs for some reason, but every now and again we'll run into the odd dog where Lincoln goes crazy barking and growling. At PetSmart there was a Sharpei right near the scale where I was going to weigh Lincoln, who BTW weight 67.8 pounds now, and the Sharpei just starting growling at him and then of course that set Lincoln off barking and growling. I of course try to nip it from the start by making him sit. Is this Doodle behavior? He's not aggressive, but these outbursts seem aggressive sometimes. I don't get it. Can anyone shed some light for me? Thanks!!

[Donna K & Quincy]

Maybe they are like us. We don't always like everyone we meet. Sometimes there are people I'de like to growl at too.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think your reaction is perfect! I really believe there are some dogs who just convey "negative energy". When our Doodles encounter these dogs they go into defensive mode, which I think is normal. Keeping the situation calm, and having Lincoln sit is exactly what I would do. If I had real concerns about the other dog, I would turn and walk the other way to avoid any possible confrontation. It was actually the owner of my Doggie Daycare that told me about that "negative energy" thing. She said they give off signals that we humans usually don't pick up, but our dogs do. They do an hour evaluation of every dog before they are allowed at daycare, and these are the signals they are looking for.

[Pat & "Tucker"]

Tucker occasionaly does the same thing. I carry treats- make him sit when any dog is approaching - then treat. This works for us.

[Diane Denney]

Great!! Thanks everyone. I forgot to mention that he does this to the TV as well!!! The other night I was watching a Cesar Milan episode where he was showing his most aggressive dog cases, and Lincoln went nuts growling and barking at the TV like the dogs were real so maybe you are right. Maybe he senses negative vibes in other dogs. I am just afraid that he is one of the negative dogs!!!! I'm probably paranoid though, but you have to admit it is scarey when our dogs react this way. I read somewhere that Goldendoodles were not good to have as guard dogs as they wouldn't do much about an intruders or bark much. I'm not so sure about that anymore!!! Also that they were good with other dogs so it does surprize me when it happens. My other dog Scott would get mauled to death because he is so passive so I'm not used to this.