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TOY · 09-09-2009, 04:25 AM

We are having an unusual problem (unusual in the sense that I've never read about it here) with Taffy at night ... generally while we are watching tv. It bothers both my husband and me because we cannot stand to see her "scared"...or at least it appears to us that she is scared.

At first I thought she might be reacting to the surround sound of the tv because the realistic sound even catches me off guard at times but she's generally looking away from the tv more at the windows at the back of the house or into the eating area. (The house plan is all open except for the bedrooms so all of these areas I'm mentioning are within our eyesight.)

She will do this low growl and stance as if she is warning us of something but we cannot seem to discover what it is that she is protecting us from! (She never does get into a full bark just the growl and her "at attention" stance.) We've turned every light imaginable on trying to dispel any shadows that might appear scary to her but to no avail. We've walked over to where she faces when growling both alone and with her in our arms to no avail.

It is freaking us out because it's happening too frequently. Granted she is extremely smart and no matter how engrossed in a tv program we might be, when she starts her routine, she has our complete and full attention. Is it possible she's this good an actress? (Were we in the country house we once had, it might be a mouse but we don't have any tiny critters here...literally none.)

Also, this is a new house (built 2002) and we are the first owners so don't anyone start throwing out ghost stories or you'll have me spooked, too!

We are completely at a loss of figuring this out but we don't like the thought of her being scared in her own home. We keep asking her what it is, encouraging her to show us, telling her there's nothing there, etc. and comforting her but it's still happening. (By the way, my theory of the surround sound is moot since we watch different shows on different nights but she does seem to respond to "doom and gloom pre-warning" music in movies of intrigue...even in broad daylight.)

Does anyone have any experience with this or any clues? (She really is smart and we really do give her our full attention when this happens but if this is just a play for our attention, we need to get her to Hollywood because she's a better actress than most!)

It upsets us to see her the least bit scared because at all other times she is such a confident, happy-go-lucky, party hardy type gal...except for this time period at night. (Also, in case this is a factor...this is not a behavior to postpone her bedtime.)

Any advice or suggestions to vaporizing her boogie man wil be appreciated!

09-09-2009, 04:25 AM	#1
TOY Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,094 Blog Entries: 4	Childhood (Doghood) Boogie Man???? We are having an unusual problem (unusual in the sense that I've never read about it here) with Taffy at night ... generally while we are watching tv. It bothers both my husband and me because we cannot stand to see her "scared"...or at least it appears to us that she is scared. At first I thought she might be reacting to the surround sound of the tv because the realistic sound even catches me off guard at times but she's generally looking away from the tv more at the windows at the back of the house or into the eating area. (The house plan is all open except for the bedrooms so all of these areas I'm mentioning are within our eyesight.) She will do this low growl and stance as if she is warning us of something but we cannot seem to discover what it is that she is protecting us from! (She never does get into a full bark just the growl and her "at attention" stance.) We've turned every light imaginable on trying to dispel any shadows that might appear scary to her but to no avail. We've walked over to where she faces when growling both alone and with her in our arms to no avail. It is freaking us out because it's happening too frequently. Granted she is extremely smart and no matter how engrossed in a tv program we might be, when she starts her routine, she has our complete and full attention. Is it possible she's this good an actress? (Were we in the country house we once had, it might be a mouse but we don't have any tiny critters here...literally none.) Also, this is a new house (built 2002) and we are the first owners so don't anyone start throwing out ghost stories or you'll have me spooked, too! We are completely at a loss of figuring this out but we don't like the thought of her being scared in her own home. We keep asking her what it is, encouraging her to show us, telling her there's nothing there, etc. and comforting her but it's still happening. (By the way, my theory of the surround sound is moot since we watch different shows on different nights but she does seem to respond to "doom and gloom pre-warning" music in movies of intrigue...even in broad daylight.) Does anyone have any experience with this or any clues? (She really is smart and we really do give her our full attention when this happens but if this is just a play for our attention, we need to get her to Hollywood because she's a better actress than most!) It upsets us to see her the least bit scared because at all other times she is such a confident, happy-go-lucky, party hardy type gal...except for this time period at night. (Also, in case this is a factor...this is not a behavior to postpone her bedtime.) Any advice or suggestions to vaporizing her boogie man wil be appreciated!