Should I be concerned?

[Georgygirl]

Ever since a strange man walked into my apartment at 5 am one morning, Joey seems to be more sensitive about people in the dark. I'm home with my parents recouping from my surgery. Joey and I were up late last night watching tv. My dad started walking down the stairs (which were in the dark) and Joey stood up and started growling. Once my dad talked to him and he seemed to recognize my dad he was fine and even acted kind of apologetic. He sat next to my dad and leaned up against him. (he's really fond of my dad for some reason) He's done this a couple times now with my dad and my brother. Once he figures out who they are he's fine. He absolutely loves strangers when we go for walks and such in the light. Is this an okay behavior or should I be worried?

[Kayla]

It sounds like this incident probabaly startled your poor pup as much as it probabaly scared you. Not sure what breed your pup is but even breeds which weren't breed to be gaurd/watch dogs will protect their pack members so it sounds like he just had a bit of a fright with that incident. I think the best way to help him get over it is everytime your brother or dad do come down the stairs for you to pat her and say it's ok AFTER she stops barking so that soon enough whenever someone you know is coming downstairs in the dark you can simply say it's ok and she won't have to work herself up and get upset ( as she'll remember every time you said it's ok how relaxed and safe she felt).

Don't just take my advice though, it never hurts to consult a trainer most will even give you a free consultation over the phone and you guys can decide if any work is needed or if it's just the aftermath of a scary incident.Most are also very reasonablly priced as well.

Kayla

[Zoom]

I think it's mainly Joey starting to grow into himself. Sawyer loves my brother and dad, but if they walk up the stairs at night, boy howdy does he start barking at them.

I wouldn't be too worried unless he starts trying to bite, or refuses to calm down when told.

[Georgygirl]

Thanks for the advice Kayla and Zoom! He has never tried to bite them or even run up to them. He'll just stand up and growl until he can see who they are. When they come up to him after the incident he's very happy to see them.

[shazbot]

My boy will growl at me if he's on my bed and I walk down the hall with no lights on, he's growled at others also until he realized who they were. I think it's just the protective instinct of your dog. He's growing up :)

[Doberluv]

Things are different at night. It's not uncommon for a dog to be a little more insecure when he can't see as well. Things take on different shapes and he probably needs more experiences like that to get use to it. I don't think there's anything abnormal at all there. It's good that your Dad speaks right away if this sort of thing happens again to let him know that it's just him and that everything is fine. I don't know that this is related to the past experience or not.

[DrewG]

I think it is good that your dog is alerting you (even if it gets annoying at times) of anyone comming or going in the night as long as he isn't attacking anyone :) You never know when something like that could scare off an intruder or possibly save your life... just my thought though