Cooper is a 12 months old yellow lab.....he gets spooked easily when outdoors and even indoors if all of a sudden the dishwasher starts up or the washing machine makes a sudden noise. Outdoors even the dripping of water in the gutters makes him nervous. I can almost understand this happening at night because they have such keen noses and goodness knows what is out there at night...I have woods in the back of the house....but during the day??? He also barks insanely if he sees a cat on the TV....and sometimes if he sees a dog on TV that is behaving crazily! Again, this I can understand...he doesnt know what a TV is....I am just curious to know if any of your pups react in the same way. Thank you.
Re: Spooked Hello there It doesn't sound all that normal to me....I think it is normal for dogs to spook at unfamiliar things. So something flapping outside at night in an unexpected way, sure, that would make me jump too. But not routine noises he hears often like the dishwasher starting, or rain in a gutter. Is this causing any specific problems? What is he like at training or on walks, for example. Or is it just that you would like him to be more relaxed? If it is a practical thing to do, perhaps you might have a session with a behaviourist to give you some tips about how to manage it and boost his confidence?
Re: Spooked Juno sometimes jumps if a wood pigeon flies out of one the trees in the garden and surprises her and very occasionally a bird in the hedgerow when out on a walk. She made us laugh at the weekend when she became transfixed by a twig which was moving gently in the wind as she hadn't noticed it before. Juno loves to watch tv and loves watching other dogs or cats.
Re: Spooked Julie, he's fine while training and on walks. It's usually when he is supposed to go out and do his business....he just sits there and you can see his nose twitching and he sometimes just comes back inside....I do have wild turkeys that roost in the trees at night and there are all sorts of sounds out there. I agree that he should be used to the dishwasher starting .... I know there is an age when they can become fearful all over again...but I think he is passed that age, isn't he? He is certainly a very good guard dog....he has no problem going outside in the dark and bark his head off if he thinks there is something out there. Or if he has heard or sniffed something out there. Maybe I'm being extra sensitive....just want him to be relaxed and to feel safe. Maccie D. thanks for our answer, too. Cooper loves to watch tennis on TV. They are such great companions, aren't they?
