I think TeeJay is racist.... We recently had an african american family move next door to us and whenever TeeJay sees them, he goes crazy! He starts making the nastiest snarls and growls that I've never heard come out of him before. I dont know what to do! I get so embarassed when I take him outside for a walk and all of the sudden he starts growling and barking at them. Why is he doing this and what should I do to get him to stop? |
He needs to be reprimanded when he does this. Get a can and put some coins in it and take it on walks with you. Whenever he starts barking and growling, shake the can and tell him to HUSH! Someone just recently posted that she got an Altoids tin (the round one, about the size of snuff) and put some pennies in it. She said it is really helping with her barking problem! :thumbup: Good luck to you. Hope you can nip this behavior in the bud. I can imagine how embarrassing it must be! :( |
This isn't really advice.. but do you watch Curb Your Enthusiasm on HBO? There was an episode when Larry David had a racist dog. I'm sure the episode was a lot funnier than what you have to go through. |
Well, apparently, TeeJay hasn't been exposed to many people with dark skin before. I'd ask the new neighbors if they would help you train your dog because "he's not good with strangers" (you needn't add the African-American qualification). Give them some treats to give TeeJay every time they see him. I'll bet he soon gets over it! PS In this case, I wouldn't reprimand him. He sees someone "different" as threatening. I'd get them to help teach him that strangers with darker skin aren't threatening. |
Does he usually act this way around other people or just this family in particular? I wish I could help, but I wouldn't know where to begin. I have seen the Dog Whisperer handle dogs that go crazy around other people and he usually makes the "shh" sound and pulls the collar or leash sideways so the dog is knocked slightly off balance and distracted for a moment. In that moment you correct his bad behavior. I hope you can find the answer you are looking for on here. Good luck!! |
I've heard that dogs w/ certain races of a family do not like other races. It's probably because the dog doesn't see much of the other race. It's so funny because with Gizmo, he's the opposite, he loves black people, but lives with my parents who are white and Mexican. I hope your dog outgrows this, maybe its just because the family is new? |
I think it's becuse they look different. He doesn't recognize them as the people he is familiar with. |
thanks for the advice guys. i will definitely try the pennies in a can trick. i really hope it works. i take teejay everywhere i go (that allows dogs) and this is the first time i've experienced this type of behavior. i remember when i first got him, he LOVED everybody regardless of race and now all of the sudden he's become such a little racist! i really dont want my new neighbors to dislike us. we are a very welcoming and NON-racist family and i would hate for them to think otherwise because of teejay. |
He is probably acting like this NOW because the family has moved in next door to you and TeeJay probably feels like he is protecting his territory. When he is out and about he doesn't have any territory to protect and that is why he is more "tolerant" then. |
Darla isnt a dog that barks very often...it takes ALOT to get her to bark!! The other day I was coming down the stairs and pulling on a hooded long sleeve shirt, the hood was over my head as I walked into the living room and Darla went NUTS!! Growling at me, barking and shaking like a leaf!! I put the hood down and she saw it was really me and kisses me but still shook for a while...it just startled her that it was something she hadnt seen before..something new!! Yesterday my mom came over for a visit and while she was in the little girls room, I let Darla in from the back yard..when mom came out of the washroom..Darla was so startled she barked and growled for a few seconds before realizing it was only grandma... I dont think she is racist lol...just something new has startled her..the best advice was already given and that is to introduce her to the new neighbours and have them give her some treats..soon she will have new best friends and great neighbours!! Dawn |
i liked the idea of explaining to the neighbors she has trouble with new ppl and trying the treat idea that way you nip an explination in the bud without having anyone come up with thier own reasons... not to mention - it might be true :) and it would be a friendly gesture/opening with your new neighbors good luck! |
Our dogs freak out whenever someone new comes around, regardless of skin color. :p They will bark and bark and bark until either my husband or I physically touch the new person to show them that they are "safe". You might try shaking hands with the neighbors in front of TeeJay, or pat them on the shoulder to see if that helps alleviate his aggression towards them. After a touch and a couple minutes, our little guys have quit their barking and the new person is their new best friend. :) |
I would go with the treats. This way its a postive thing.:Pawprint: |
maybe its just because he is not familiar with them yet like puppies are around strangers most of the time. I wouldnt worry about it that much, as long as he quits once he gets use to them and is familiar with them. I would rather my dogs not be too too friendly with new neighbors until they get familiar as that shows you he is protective of your home from strangers. |
We had this happen!!! I was so humiliated! :( We moved from a dominantly one raced area to a more mixed race area and when Keeley first saw that there was other races it suprised him and he barked. I started taking him to parks to "people watch" he just had to see that it isn\'t a big deal. I went up to one family and started to talk to them and shook the dads hand with him watching, so he could see that it wasn\'t a big deal, and he has chilled right out. I have read about this happening. Not only with races, but gender, weight/size and ages too. If a dog gets used to only one type of person they get uneasy around what they haven\'t experienced. My puppy training teacher said to try to get your dogs to meet and have positive experiences with all people. I think if you can have the new family pet him, maybe give him treats and let him see that there is nothing different about these people he\'ll be just fine. |
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