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  1. #1
    Puppy Milo44's Avatar
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    Growling/Barking at One Person

    Hello everyone,

    This is my first time posting here and I would appreciate any advice or input on my situation.

    My pup Milo (10 months old) is very friendly towards people (even complete strangers) and other dogs. I was completely shocked today when he started growling and barking at my grandfather who came by the house to visit. Milo was completely fine with my grandmother petting him though. Milo looked hesitant but he tried to approach my grandfather a couple more times but would flee if he tried to pet him. I ended up crating him in the next room so that he could settle and before my grandparents left, I had each of them toss Milo a biscuit.

    This has never happened before, he is usually very eager and happy to approach people. I am very puzzled as to what went wrong. Just earlier today we were at the dog park and he was happily asking to be pet by different people. What should I do to prevent this in the future?

  2. #2
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    Has Milo met your grandfather before today and what happened at those times? Something must have seemed a little weird or scary to Milo, it can be hard to figure out what's going on in the dog's mind, so I'd try to let Milo decide when he's ready to approach. Maybe this will turn out to be a one time thing if Milo has been OK with your granddad before.

    I'd just suggest Grandfather basically ignore Milo when they come over, don't look at him, talk to him, touch him, or try to get him to come over to him until Milo decides he's ready to interact. Stock Granddad's pockets with some little treats (little so he can have a good supply of them) and if Milo decides he wants to come over for a sniff, let him sniff without reaching for him or talking to him, just let Milo check him out first. Once he gets sniffed, he could periodically toss Milo a treat, if Milo doesn't want to be too close, or offer a treat from his hand if Milo is OK with that. Most dogs love a good treat dispenser and hopefully soon Milo will decide granddad is really a swell guy after all.

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  4. #3
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    Hats, coats, change in gait, all that can look "different" to a dog at different times of the day.

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    Annette47 (02-05-2017), Java (02-15-2017), Milo44 (02-04-2017)

  6. #4
    Senior Dog ZoeysMommy's Avatar
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    Does Grandpa have a cane, walker, or some other device? My black lab is a social butterfly, she loves absolutely everyone but the first old person she encountered with a walker scared the crap out of her

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    Java (02-15-2017), Milo44 (02-05-2017)

  8. #5
    Senior Dog
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    I agree with the "something different" theory.

    But none of my dogs ever liked my in-laws (NOT dog people) and my yellow girl would bark and carry on, especially toward my father-in-law. We'd put her outside and the stupid man would actually tease her through the sliding glass door (until I told him to stop or leave). Hah...I always felt like barking, too, when they were around.

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    Milo44 (02-05-2017)

  10. #6
    Puppy Milo44's Avatar
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    They have only met once before when Milo was 5 months old and things seemed to be fine then. Thanks for all the advice, I will keep it in mind the next time they meet.

  11. #7
    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
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    BIL would love nothing better than to play with Archie. Unfortunately, he goes about it all wrong. He stares at Archie and his body posture is all wrong. Of course, can't tell him anything since "he's had dogs and knows how to act".

    I suggest Grandpa ignores Milo and carry treats, tossing them in his direction on occasion. Let Milo approach him with Grandpa totally ignoring him.
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