Question about Chloe and her protectiveness *I think*

[jess2416]

Chloe has never been the type to growl, and actually I have only heard her do it, a few times since I have had her..

But she will always bark at "strange" people that pull up in cars at our house or if the anyone is behind our house (the neighbors yard goes right in behind ours and sometimes they are up there in their garden) and she will bark if someone is going down the farmers road (that is beside our house) that he uses to go to his different pastures..

*BUT*

The other day there were 2 strange CHILDREN walking back and forth down that road, and she was on her tie out and she started growling and barking at them and tried to go after them, I know its because they were on that road because she barks at everyone that she doesnt think belongs there (she never barks at the farmer or his children or grandchildren) but it had me concerned because she went running over there (well as far as the tie out would let her) and started growling and barking at them...

I guess I just am kinda shocked because these were kids and she has never acted that way towards any of the other kids that walk down there (but it might be because she knows who the other ones are) and maybe she thinks of that road as "hers" to protect..

I guess Im just looking for some reassurance that all this was, was her "watching out" for what she thinks is hers to protect...

[dr2little]

Chloe has never been the type to growl, and actually I have only heard her do it, a few times since I have had her..

But she will always bark at "strange" people that pull up in cars at our house or if the anyone is behind our house (the neighbors yard goes right in behind ours and sometimes they are up there in their garden) and she will bark if someone is going down the farmers road (that is beside our house) that he uses to go to his different pastures..

*BUT*

The other day there were 2 strange CHILDREN walking back and forth down that road, and she was on her tie out and she started growling and barking at them and tried to go after them, I know its because they were on that road because she barks at everyone that she doesnt think belongs there (she never barks at the farmer or his children or grandchildren) but it had me concerned because she went running over there (well as far as the tie out would let her) and started growling and barking at them...

I guess I just am kinda shocked because these were kids and she has never acted that way towards any of the other kids that walk down there (but it might be because she knows who the other ones are) and maybe she thinks of that road as "hers" to protect..

I guess Im just looking for some reassurance that all this was, was her "watching out" for what she thinks is hers to protect...

No one will ever be able to tell you what sweet Chloe was thinking but I think it would be wise to take her off of the tie out and spend some time walking that road with treats for greeting strangers. Whatever her reasons for growling, it's a bit of a red flag that tells you that she's uncomfortable and needs this trigger addressed.

Tie outs can exacerbate territorial issues by adding the feelings of confinement.
Chloe is also at an age where these things tend to start to show so it's best to pay attention so that you can desensitize her to those triggers before they do become a problem.

Have you seen those kids before? If so, and you think that she would take a treat from them for sitting for polite greeting, then use them. If not them, then anyone you can find on that street whenever possible.
Make sure that the stranger is the one to ask her for a sit and to give her the treat but of course only if you feel that it's safe to put her in that position.

[jess2416]

No one will ever be able to tell you what sweet Chloe was thinking but I think it would be wise to take her off of the tie out and spend some time walking that road with treats for greeting strangers. Whatever her reasons for growling, it's a bit of a red flag that tells you that she's uncomfortable and needs this trigger addressed.

We do walk up and down the road, and she is always good for everyone, its just when people or things she doesnt know walk down the farmers road (its not the main road-its just a little dirt road that goes beside the house)



Have you seen those kids before? If so, and you think that she would take a treat from them for sitting for polite greeting, then use them. If not them, then anyone you can find on that street whenever possible.
Make sure that the stranger is the one to ask her for a sit and to give her the treat but of course only if you feel that it's safe to put her in that position.

I have never in my life seen those kids before, and she always sits for people when they have treats, she only goes berzerk when someone walks or goes down that little dirt road that "she" doesnt think belongs there...

[dr2little]

We do walk up and down the road, and she is always good for everyone, its just when people or things she doesnt know walk down the farmers road (its not the main road-its just a little dirt road that goes beside the house)

I have never in my life seen those kids before, and she always sits for people when they have treats, she only goes berzerk when someone walks or goes down that little dirt road that "she" doesnt think belongs there...

Then I would take your social routine to that dirt road. You really know Chloe very well and spend so much time with her that you'll know when it's appropriate to take her off of the tie and introduce her to her 'dirt road nemesis'. If you keep an eye on her while she's out there and react right away, you can help her to feel less insecure about odd people on that road.

It's great that she already sits for strangers, I'd put that into play whenever possible when you notice who she's reacting to.

It really doesn't matter which road it is, a tie out will still make her more likely to react unless you teach her that that road and those people are nothing to worry about. It does sound like you are very clear about reading her so you'll be able to react at the right time.

[jess2416]

Then I would take your social routine to that dirt road. You really know Chloe very well and spend so much time with her that you'll know when it's appropriate to take her off of the tie and introduce her to her 'dirt road nemesis'. If you keep an eye on her while she's out there and react right away, you can help her to feel less insecure about odd people on that road.

It's great that she already sits for strangers, I'd put that into play whenever possible when you notice who she's reacting to.

It really doesn't matter which road it is, a tie out will still make her more likely to react unless you teach her that that road and those people are nothing to worry about. It does sound like you are very clear about reading her so you'll be able to react at the right time.


I would have to ask the man that the "road" is on if he minded but I dont think he would mind if Chloe and I walked up and down it every once in awhile....

It just had me a little concerned because if someone that she *knows* uses that road she pays no attention to them...

[jess2416]

thanks for the help Colleen......I'll figure it out.....

[dr2little]

thanks for the help Colleen......I'll figure it out.....

:confused:

[jess2416]

:confused:

I was just saying thanks for the help.................