Otis (18 weeks) is the most friendly dog with strangers when we're out on our walks and in any sort of public place. He wants EVERYONE to come and give him love and attention. This has happened a few times before but today was especially bad. Our neighbors were outside clearing some brush and working on their yard when I took Otis out to pee and poop. He did nothing but growl and bark at them! He was actually wagging his tail while growling.... Any advice? I always try to click and treat him when he doesn't bark but today it was difficult to catch him getting it right.
Do your neighbours say hi to Otis, or do they ignore him? It sounds like he was trying to get their attention or that he wasn't sure what they were doing.
I think he might have been startled....I remember Dexter being upset by the noise of a bouncy castle being blown up next door ,when the turret popped up over the garden wall he had a right barking session at it......... It might be a hole in your socialisation training..Next time your neighbours are out I'd take some tasty treats/ favourite toy/ something he really likes out into the garden and starting from a comfortable distance where Otis doesn't bark work towards the area that seems to be affecting him.If you use a clicker you can click and treat him for being calm and relaxed when he can hear your neighbours in their garden.....
Thanks I'll have to try that. It's so odd because we really only have two neighbors close enough for him to see.... One to the right and one to the left. For whatever reason only one of them bothers him.
