My boyfriend and I just came back from vacation, and last night was the first night we have been with Aspen since last Friday. He had been with my sister-in-law while we were on vacation. Last night I let him out into our backyard like I always do, and it was fairly dark. It wasn't dark enough for me to turn on the porch light yet. We have a fenced in yard and there is a section of trees and shrubs right before the fence which we also share with the neighbor. I let Aspen out (this was maybe the 10th time going outside that day) and he went behind the shrubs so I could only see his paws. Our neighbor was outside putting his bike into his shed and Aspen came sprinting back to me, growling. I honestly thought a big dog had gotten into our yard somehow! Aspen was not growling at me, but he came up onto the porch next to me and stood there looking over at our neighbor's yard, still growling with the hair on his back standing up. I told him that it was okay and that there was nothing to be afraid of and he calmed down. Should I be worried about this? I want him to like people. I know that puppies go through a stage where they become fearful once again, but isn't he too old/young for this? The only other time I have seen him growl was at a neighbor at our cabin. That was interesting because that same neighbor actually threw a rock at my boyfriend's family's lab a couple years ago, causing permanent injury to their dog, Jak. Aspen must be a good judge of character to not like that neighbor. Any explanations/ideas would be helpful. I am not too worried because this has been the first incident and maybe he was just spooked because he hadn't been in our yard for a while and forgot about our neighbor. He just scared me, I thought he was a big old mean dog the way he sounded!
It sounds like he was unsure of the unusual goings on he witnessed. I wouldn't worry too much. I WOULD worry, somewhat, about the neighbour throwing rocks though, sounds like a bit of a nutter!
My Merlin is going through a bit of a growly, barky stage right now too, but I know it is only when he is worried, and has nothing to do with aggression, so I am just continuing normal socialization and helping him build his self-confidence.
I know, right?! Labs are the kindest dogs I have ever met. The neighbor claimed Jak tried to attack him so he threw a rock in self-defense. Jak was just a little old man when this happened as well. Jak passed away this year but was still as handsome as ever. The sweet boy wouldn't hurt a fly!
Okay, yes, I am thinking he was just doing it because he might not have noticed the neighbor or didn't like the bike (Aspen is in awe of bikes when we go on walks, lol) But we will continue with socialization as well. Either way I keep reminding myself that I will more than likely have a well-rounded adult dog
When our neighbour puts something new in their garden that can be seen over 6ft fences (extremely high parasol, kids climbing frame etc) it takes Harley a few weeks to get used to it being there. She growls and sometimes barks everytime it catches her eye for a few weeks. I have to go out with her everytime they put something new in to try and reassure Harley and decrease her fear/anxiety. It sounds like your boy just got a bit spooked by the neighbour/bike.
New things in familiar places can be extra scary. When your home environment changes it can pay to notice and be wary of it! So I don't think it's unusual or anything to worry about that he got a fright at the guy messing about noisily next door in the dark. It's nice that he came running to you for safety.
I agree with @Oberon, about new things in familiar places. My pup came across a person sleeping in the field we were walking in today, but she didn't know it was a person. They were lying flat out with a coat over their head and Plum went running up, sniffed and the person sat up. Plum was proper spooked and was growling and barking, jittery and skittery. Her hackles were raised and she kept muttering under her breath. It wasn't aggressive and I knew she wouldn't hurt the person, she just had a fright. Even after we moved away she looked back for a while. Aspen just sounds like he got a fright.
For me its context. It was dark and late and some neighbours visitors got out of their car and approached me. They were big burley men. Doug barked at them to warn them off. I apologised as I didn't want them to be scared and one of the men said don't worry it's fine. Were we come from a dog like that would be worth a fortune he's giving you and us fair warning. I did think differently about after that. Dogs bark for lots of reasons sometimes it's not a bad thing. Your neighbour sounds nuts.
