Could Dogs Have Anxiety When Guests Leave?

[shelly]

Okay, so I have this GREAT dog!  She's smart, lovable, agile, a snuggler! BUT - she turns into Cujo when some people come over, and when my son plays outside with friends. Here's my tale of woe.... There are some people Tori just barks at constantly when they come over.  People say "Wow, I never had a dog NOT like me".  And these are DOG people.  I don't think she doesn't like them, she has no reason not to... perhaps she picks up a scent on them - their dog????  Sometimes she loks like an attack dog at the door, that people are afraid to come in.  Once they come in (if they're brave enough to attempt it)she's usually fine... until they leave.  She barks right up at their legs nudging them with her nose.  Once they leave, she runs to the window seat, jumps up and barks fiercely.   I'll try and  video tape her and upload it.  Forget it when a delivery person comes she totally freaks out barking and running from one window to another with the zoomies like you've NEVER seen before sniffing and pacing everywhere.  And just tonight she did 'her thing' (which I mentioned before) - herding my 5 year old nephew barking at him all around the house.  I really have to have a behaviorist come and see it... just hope it's not too late

[Camilla and Darwin]

I am no expert, but I do know a lot of people who own Aussies, and see a lot at dog parks. Most all of them are VERY vocal when they play. Growling, barking, etc. They almost always try and herd Darwin during play too. Just run around him in circles, nipping at his feet. I think it is definitely a breed characteristic to herd and be vocal...

[Corinna and Krimmi]

thought I would chime in :) Tori's bro Krimmi, is also very vocal. He doesn't bark as much as he growls...constantly. Growls when he is nervous, growls when he plays, growls when he's afraid, growls when he is frustrated. I can differentiate the different growls but other people sometimes get a little intimidated by his behaviour. Don't get me wrong, we are still working on the crazy out of control barking whenever we see a dog on our walk but otherwise the barking is ok. Shelly, Tori and Krimmi's mom was a VERY NERVOUS dog. At the time I thought protective of her pups but that's just what I was TRYING to see to convince myself to go through with the purchase. I think all of our dogs "weird" behaviour stems from the Mom's genes. The dad seemed pretty happy go lucky to me. Although I just want to add, Krimmi like Tori has come a long way. We love him to death which a year ago I thought was impossible :)

[shelly]

Hello, Corinna!!!! So glad to hear from you! I have been thinking of you guys! Yeah... about the mom... I was kinda' thinking that when I asked about it being ' a trait' from a parent. Not that I don't LOVE her to pieces (now), but I wish we could have gone there to see the breeder.... I would have said the same thing tho' as you about the mom - PROTECTIVE! I was just looking for a number I got from my sister for yet another trainer... she just did her freak song and dance when my son's friend just came over! HUH!

[Corinna and Krimmi]

keep me posted if you find something that works!!!!!!!
I was actually talking on the phone here at work to a lady last week that has always had Irish Wolfhounds (which I LOVE) so we were talking and she got one 7 month old pup who totally does not act like your "typical" Irish wolfhound. She had a hard time bonding with this female which I totally could relate too since I had the same problem with Krimmi. I was trying to make him be like our previous dogs which he wasn't. When I finally gave that up and just accepted him for who he is (sometimes us humans need a good smack lol), things became so much easier. This lady said the same thing. I know this has nothing to do with your post but I know you accepted Tori for what she is a long time ago and are always working on improving your relationship. Just wanted to say thanks again because your encouragement definitely helped speed up my acceptance of this crazy monster that everyone around me now always calls a "Momma's boy" and that's just how I like it. LOL

[shelly]

LOL Glad to hear Krimmi is a momma's boy... as it SHOULD be... there's more of mommy's blood, seat and TEARS in him (THEM) than anyone else's! "Next time" (lol) I do things way different! (Just about now - I can use that 'smack' - LOL)
:O)

[penny]

hi. I joined doodlekisses to ask you who krimmi's parents are and what littler? we own kato born oct 17,2008 from Burkhart. They look alot alike. His mom was Sweetie. His dad was a red/blond poodle  maybe named Goldie.

[shelly]

Hi again, Penny... sorry I think I misunderstood you.  I thought you commented here because you said Kato didn't like guests to leave either.... but still, Tori is Kato's brother and Krimmi's too.  I do believe Krimmi is from the same litter as Kato.  Tori is a few months older.  (from March 2008).  I never thought dogs could have pups so close together.... WELCOME to DoodleKisses!  You'll love it here!

[penny]

Tori looks alot like Kato too. We will post a newer photo. We posted the photo I took at burkharrt when he was 8 weeks old.

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

When we have guests over, D&K go nuts when the first person arrives.  We are still working with them and food helps :)  When subsequent guests arrive they're fine, but they are so attached to the guests.  I watch them a lot because some people aren't dog lovers like us and I don't want people to be uncomfortable in our house.  D&K are always nice to people, but to them that can include licking their faces which some people don't like :)

D&K definitely miss guests when they leave.  It's actually really cute.  Our friend stayed overnight a few months ago and D&K waited at his door in the morning and once he left they kept going back to the guest room. 

 

The one significant problem we have to work on (with Kirby) which sounds similar to your situation is that he seems afraid when children are over and when they move.  Some of our friends have babies and when they were stationary he was fine, but now that they're mobile he starts to bow and bark.  I believe he wants to play with them (he does this with other dogs too), but I don't want him scaring the poor kids (luckily they're all pretty tolerant of dogs).  I also don't want him to think children are on his level and want him to understand they're just little people who are higher on the chain than he is.  We're having a Super Bowl Party this weekend so I'll be on him to work on this.  He is very responsive to cheese so I think we'll use that as a reward for being "quiet".  Luckily Dex is good with all children/babies...hopefully he'll rub off on his furry brother.

[Lesley, Wellington & Bingley]

 

This sounds pretty typical of herding behaviour. Hopefully your behaviourist will be able to suggest other 'outlets' for this behaviour.

 

It is an instinctive need to perform a deeply engrained action. Find an expert who specifically deals with herding breeds and they will be able to suggest ways to safely let your dog perform these actions through 'games'.

[shelly]

I've tried to find one... VERY hard... other than this, she is the most perfect dog, so it truly bothers me more that she keeps doing this... I will definitely have to research this more.. the trainer we had in the summer didn't really have the skills for this.  Thanks for posting!