Worried people will think my dog is aggressive.

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She’s not ^^ the complete opposite actually but she is a little nervous. Nervous of dogs because she got attacked and nervous and doesn’t know how to behave around new people whilst out and about but never hurt a fly. OH tends to walk her at 5am And late at night so she can have a walk without getting scared. She’s used to children.

Today she got out. DS Accidentally let her out after school and she ran off down the road. It was school run time and she stopped in one spot and continuously barked at a window cleaner and the house owner. It wasn’t aggressive barking but barking albeit. She didn’t get close to them and then I ran after her and grabbed her. There were people walking the kids past her (which she actually didn’t bat an eyelid at, she loves kids). But the bark itself was quite loud, she wasn’t growling or anything.

I live in a small close knit community and know people can bitch like there’s no tomorrow. I’m worried we’ll be the house with the aggressive dog or we are irresponsible dog owners. She is 3 and only the second time she’s managed to escape. She is a tiny dog and also has a touch of ‘small dog syndrome’ 🤣 but again never hurt anyone and is the most affectionate dog you could ever meet when she’s comfortable.

I suffer from anxiety and now on edge that someone will report me for her barking. She doesn’t bark excessively whilst out at home or anything. But barks when nervous or excited.

OH thinks I’m mad for Worrying about it.

You are overthinking this way too much. Dogs bark it doesn’t mean they are aggressive. You need to work on you and your dogs nervousness, she’ll never regain her confidence by isolating her, do you have any friends with a calm steady dog you could go some walks with?

You're worrying about the wrong thing. I'd be more concerned that she's running off when given half the chance. The barking is something some nervous dogs do to show their feelings, others hide, some cower and some completely shut down. I wouldn't worry too much about the barking but maybe some recall training and training about not running off would be helpful? X

Another vote for you not having anything to worry about.

Dogs bark for many reasons and it seems that your dog was trying to draw your attention to something (the window cleaner) they didn't understand. No-one has been hurt or threatened by your dogs mini adventure,but if it does concern you start going to training classes so your dog has more experience of life and you have more confidence in reasurring your dog that you'll manage situations.

Good luck

I know you say your dog isn't aggressive but nervous dogs are at a much higher risk of doing something aggressive out of fear. Right now you've always managed it in such a way that it hasn't become aggressive but that doesn't mean she can't / wont. I would always view a nervous dog as potentially aggressive so I would 100% agree with the other poster and look into solving her nervousness before it can become anything else.

YANBU to worry someone might think your dog is aggressive, but lots of people don't understand dogs and barking so would view any dog like that as aggressive regardless. However accidents happen and I'd hope no one was petty enough to report you for such a little thing as your dog accidentally getting out and barking at a few people. It's easy to say but I agree with your OH, try not to worry about it

Please dont worry about this - barking is vocalisation. My labrador barks to get us to play .

Don’t worry about the barking, that’s normal.

But it is your job to keep her under control, for her own safety. And remember some humans get equally nervous.

Thanks all. She has only got out twice. Our garden is extremely secure. She darted out the front door. I’m not sure what’s got into her. She doesn’t normally do it! I think it was just a mad moment. I was getting kids at the same time taking a parcel in DS opened the door too soon and she bolted.

We will work on building her confidence. She was attacked by a massive dog so she is a little nervous around them which is the main issue. On lead she isn’t as concerned about people.

My small dog was attacked by a larger dog on our drive. It upset him for about 10 days. After that he was back to his happy go lucky self. Your dog might be nervous but if he’s never been happy go lucky he might just have a nervous temperament rather than extremely long memory. I would work on people closing the gate!

1. Get a baby gate or something to give you an additional barrier between her and the front door. Getting out "only twice" is twice more than you want! She could well have got herself hurt/hit by a car.

2. What have you done to overcome her nervousness? My dog is/was similar after being attacked. There are loads of things you can do to increase her confidence around other dogs/people/new situations. Ideally you'd get a behaviourist in to help. Look up the CARE protocol. It's basically counterconditioning and changing the dog's mindset from "oh shit that's scary I'm going to bark to keep it at bay and keep myself safe" to "oh a yummy treat there's nothing to worry about here".

I would be more concerned about her running out and the lack of recall - you say it's only twice, but it only takes one time for her to get injured or to be spooked by something and bolt.

You say she's nervous, not aggressive but nervous dogs can respond in aggression when scared - they learn that growling/snapping/biting stops the behaviour they dislike so that's what they use. I would recommend getting a behaviourist involved.

a nervous dog is a dangerous dog, she needs some help

I'm sorry you feel anxious and hope that improves.

You need totes in your dog better and/ or improve your garden security. Most dogs don't get out and she could have caused an accident.

Nervous dogs are a risk as they might bite in fear if they cannot escape a situation. A good trainer and/ or behaviourist could help.

Would definitely recommend getting a behaviourist in - it will help to make her feel more secure and calm, and it means you and your DP won’t feel so nervous taking her for walks. Worth every penny!

My dog barks at passers by near the house.

He’s just telling us there are people around.

Most people understand a dog barking isn’t aggressive

You are as pp said over thinking it your dog must have thought it was her birthday out on an adventure window cleaners are always going to be targets but no harm was done dogs barking isn't automatically aggresssive.

Shes a Chihuahua isn't she? Sounds like mine

I'd be more worried about her running away! Why would she bolt just cause the door was open?

My lab is very anxious and will bark and growl at people she doesn't like the look of. Mainly tall men, people wearing hats or bright colours, lots of things actually. I find most people don't think she's being aggressive and try to make friends with her. The other day I opened the door to take her out to the car and the postman was over the road. She flew at him barking and hackles up. I really thought he'd report me but he just laughed (very lucky as I think dogs can be quite a problem for postman). She also loves children and is fine with other dogs, it's just adults she distrusts!

I know you say she's 'only' escaped twice but that's twice too many times. I have a Greyhound and if my dog ever escaped it'd very likely be the last time I ever saw her, she may cause an accident and she'd very likely end up dead. A loose, barking dog would be seen as a potential threat by a lot of people, I include myself in that, especially if I didn't know your dog or has my dog with me. It's perfectly doable to not let your dog escape, ever.