Growling/barking at windows

[Kristin]

Our 7 month old pup Maisy has started with some new behaviors in the last month which concern me, and I'd like to get a sense of whether it's an issue that I need to address with a trainer.

Over the last month or two, Maisy has become more interested in looking out windows, both in the car and at home. In the evening we have noticed her looking through the window and she will often give a low-pitched, short growl-bark. It's not clear whether she's barking at her own reflection or what she perceives to be in the backyard. She has also started to give the short-low pitched bark when we are riding in the car and she sees something "suspicious" (another dog, a man in uniform, etc.). In the last few weeks, I've heard her give the growl-bark to people walking past our house, people walking dogs, or anything else out off the ordinary such as a piece of trash that has blown into the yard.

I'm wondering whether she's developing some barrier frustration, or feeling threatened in some way. Could she be in a fear period now? How likely is this to escalate into aggression? I've been trying to restrict her access to windows and distract her with toys. I've also tried giving treats if she can observe a passerby without making sound. It's very hard to get her attention in this situation though.

Maisy has never had aggression problems with people or other dogs. She does have a confident personality, but I would not describe her as dominant. She attends a great in home day care one day per week and her sitter says she is very friendly and social. She loves to meet people and lick their faces, like so many other doodles do! I've never heard her growl before this, so it concerns me.

My question is- should I hire an in home trainer to help with this? We hired one when we first got Maisy, and she was very helpful at that time, but I'm not sure how serious this is. I'd love to hear from anyone who has been through this, how they handled it, and how their adult doodle is doing now.

Thanks in advance!

[Wendy and Myla]

Maisy sounds like she's pretty well-adjusted.  I am not an expert by any means, but I would think that Maisy is just starting to "guard her territory".  I honestly forget what happened when Myla was that age, but if she is lying on the couch and sees someone walking on the road, she does a low growl.  If there is a dog with that person, it's a definite bark.  She definitely barks when anything is new and sometimes it's annoying but I like the fact that I know if someone is walking by.  We live in the country so it's not that often.  If Maisy is fine when meeting new people and at day care I wouldn't worry about it too much unless you cannot get her to stop growling.  Go with your gut!

[Kristin]

Thanks so much- it's helpful to know that other dogs do this too. Maisy is the first dog we've ever had, and it's been a challenge figuring out how to handle all these new behaviors as they pop up.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I remember Ned doing this more than any other dog I've had.  Keep exposing her to seeing things through windows.  Once in a while any one of my three will bark when looking out the car windows - which sets off the other two, but it isn't an every time sort of thing like it used to be.

[Kristin]

I'll try to keep exposing her to windows- and rewarding her for not reacting. Thanks for the reply!

[Jenny and Cooper]

From my own experience, I think Maisy is normal.  lol.  Cooper began to do that also when he was about 1 years old.  He still does it now, even a bit more.  He will give a low growl while staring out the window.  I see nothing but he can sense an animal or even sometimes a man walking out there.  Once he spotted a squirrel walking on our wall about 100 feet away.  I opened the back door for him to go out and he barked his lungs out while chasing it away.  lol.  Even after the squirrel was long gone, he was still barking! 

When he growls or bark, we just make sure to check the area and then let him know that it's ok.  If he continues to bark, sometimes we'll let him go out there with us and see that there is no danger.  He tends to stop after we check it out.  Sometimes we're too lazy and he'll just bark and bark :P

[Kristin]

Lol, Maisy was barking/growling at a newspaper leaflet blowing around in our backyard today! Sounds like she's pretty normal after all! Thanks!

[DonMarie and Picco]

I agree. She's expanding her horizons!  I think more often they are looking for any excuse to bark and growl.  If Picco is into playing then noises, etc. don't phase him but if he's laying around with nothing going on, he has to tell me about the car door that shut 2 blocks away!  And we get to hear about every bird that landed on the backyard fence!

[Kristin]

Thanks for the reply! It is definitely related to boredom for Maisy. She doesn't do this when we're training/playing. She's letting me know about every bird in our backyard too!

[Barbara, Zoey and Zeke]

Doggie Dan does this thing for barkers that you might try - at least in the house.  At the first bark, tell the dog "thank you" to acknowledge that you hear them  2) second bark - go to where the dog is and look more closely, then repeat "thank you"  3) third bark - go to dog and take them to short time out.   Repeat as necessary. You are letting them know that there is nothing to be worried about.    Sometimes they just need to get out of their own heads!  lol

[Kristin]

I haven't signed up for Doggie Dan training, but this sounds like a great way to address the behavior- I'll try it. Thank you!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

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