Fear? Anxiety? Aggression?

[k9kreationz]

What is going on with Koji? If anyone can give me any insight to what is going on, I'd be so grateful. I don't expect anyone to solve his issues, I just want to get an understanding.

This morning, Koji started growling and barking at the trash can in our complex (condo). Since there's brush behind it, I was being wary because we have sighted coyotes and thought maybe he saw one, cuz I couldn't see a thing. As I walked closer and closer to the trash can, I didn't hear or see anything, but was being wary. I finally realized what he was barking at. Big sigh. He was barking at the children's play table toy NEXT to the trash can. Yes ladies and gents. He was/is barking/afraid of the toy.

I would assume his barking/growling was fear based and nothing else. No aggression. I got him to go near it and yes/good boy'd him until he at least sniffed the thing. I had no treats, otherwise I would've worked on it longer.

He's gotten scared of the strangest things. DH will play with his pen. Koji runs away. He'll remove his necklace, Koji runs away. I did notice, it's mostly hubby doing things, that makes Koji scared. Do you think while DH has been out of work, he's been angry at Koji so everything scares him now? Once in awhile, I'll scare Koji with something. A bag? Something small? Who knows. But it's not often.

I recently bought a piano keyboard. DH put it on the ground, in our spare room. Koji runs away from it and past it like it's going to attack him. After C/T training, he's not afraid anymore.

It's all just so strange. From what I see, it's been kinda new. Like in the past couple of months (Dh has been out of work since mid-Nov). I don't want to blame DH, however, he's had a low tolerance for Koji lately and I cant' imagine what it's been like to be at home (stuck - no car) with him 24/7. I worry. 1. about what DH may have done to him to make him fear everything DH touches and 2. what is going on with Koji?

thoughts? Questions? Answers?

 

[danisgoat]

Awww.....poor Koji.

I am not sure what is going on there, but I would definitely have your husband encourage Koji to hang with him....maybe using treats and massage.

Our rescue Vinca gets weirded out by the funniest things. A hat, a certain toy, a man, etc. The only thing we can do is gently coax her and let her know that it is OK. When we are out with Vinca, I always have treats and give them to big scary looking men (lol) and ask them if they can give her the treat. Most people are happy to help, and I think that is definitely working.

So....just keep up with the positive and just throw any of the negative right out the door

 

[k9kreationz]

Awww.....poor Koji.

I am not sure what is going on there, but I would definitely have your husband encourage Koji to hang with him....maybe using treats and massage.

Our rescue Vinca gets weirded out by the funniest things. A hat, a certain toy, a man, etc. The only thing we can do is gently coax her and let her know that it is OK. When we are out with Vinca, I always have treats and give them to big scary looking men (lol) and ask them if they can give her the treat. Most people are happy to help, and I think that is definitely working.

So it's not just Koji, huh? It just seemed recent, that's why I am more worried about it. Maybe I'll have DH work with Koji a bit. Then Koji will associate DH with food, and he'll love him again.

Just seems so strange. But maybe it's just normal.

 

[Chris]

Some Shelties are more sensitive to new things, changes, and certain people than others. Layla is not afraid of anything except being too close to fireworks. She never was. But Beckon, who is much bigger, spooks easily. Bits is like Layla -- no fear. Annie is fearless and will confront anything that she thinks is threatening -- not attacking, just barking and challenging. They're all different.

 

[SheltieChe]

I was told shelties go through fear period during adolescence and it is pretty normal for them to suddenly start growling and barking at strangest things and be afraid etc... but Koji is 2 years old so could it be similar reaction just delayed by timing?

 

[Caro]

I would say its partly an age thing - Deska used to bark and growl at plastic bags. But maybe a lot of it has to do with the general feel of the household. Remember shelties are pretty sensitive and he is probably picking up the tension, esp as he is home all day, and combine that with his youth and it being winter there, and I would say he is a little uncertain of what is happening and is displaying that in a show of bravado.

Could you find him a 'job' to do to deflect him from his current job of barking at things? Even if it is a little job like going out to check the mail every day, or escorting people to the line to put out washing. Deska takes the rubbish out with me every Wed night and he thinks that is his 'job'. I make a bit deal of calling him, making him sit at the door and then giving him the okay when its time to move. He really slips into a working mode when I treat it like that and now he doesnt bark at rubbish bins.