GSD randomly barked at man putting out his bins

[Trycod]

I know it’s a cliche but my dog has literally never done this before, in fact he ignores people on walks and even enjoys being pat on the head by strangers.

So we live in a quiet area of connected closes/cul de sacs. People have large gardens and drives. He often walks past people on our usual route no problem. My only theory is that the man putting out his bins was wearing orange which on the postman/delivery people is a trigger. But I thought it was only Fluorescent my dog had an issue with. Man was also being loud but my dog is fine with loud noises normally. On the same walk he walked past two big burly men, no problem. It was really no big deal maybe 3 seconds of barking and he was on lead of course. Just very unusual and unsettling.

He’s 8 years old and we never have a problem out of the house. In the house we can’t have strangers inside due to excessive barking/jumping but as we love him so much we are willing to put up with the sacrifice. We worked on this with a behaviourist but Covid disrupted the progress and we have just accepted the situation (not ideal I know).

A few days ago a man was loudly loading his car on the same route and my dog went up and said hello/got a head rub.

Should I just ignore this as a one off?

Attached file was from report our behaviourist wrote.

Aahh poor little thing could the dog have been scared? Hearing ok? Maybe the man had a dead body in the bin 😉

Gently, OP, he's not a balanced dog if he can't handle people in his house - the behaviourist sounds a bit useless and like they've minimised a quite serious issue.

You've said it's a one off. But you've also referred to 'orange' being a trigger on particular people. So it's not a one off, is it? Even if he has only done it once (so far out of the house) the fact is, it's now a behaviour that is escalating outside the house.

I wouldn't write it off as a one-off tbh. But I err on the side of cautious with dogs displaying unfavourable behaviour - particularly big dogs. All it takes is one incident.

He’s a GSD. It’s in their very nature. As long as it doesn’t escalate I wouldn’t care about it at all.

Gently, OP, he's not a balanced dog if he can't handle people in his house - the behaviourist sounds a bit useless and like they've minimised a quite serious issue.

I'm inclined to agree that report completely minimises some very worrying behaviour.

My worry would be that this incident is the start of the behaviour he shows in the home becoming an issue when he's now outside. I would be seeking the advice of another behaviourist with the view of nipping this in the bud before it comes a more serious issue.

When I pick my husband up from the station he occasionally barks at the parking attendants from the car. They wear fluorescent orange.

I accept calling him well balanced is questionable given his guarding at home. But I think the behaviourist included this as outside he is wonderful (excluding today ofc). The behaviourist and I took him to a pub where he fell asleep and happily had people walking over him/coming up for cuddles.

Is this "behaviourist" properly accredited?

Because a dog who hasn't allowed you to have guests in your home for years doesn't sound very balanced to me,

Yes. Behaviourist has: a BSc (Hons) Degree in Applied Animal Behaviour, has been a qualified and registered Veterinary Nurse for nearly twenty years, an ESPVS Nurse Certificate and a COAPE Diploma in the Practical Aspects of Companion Animal Training and Behaviour. Found via ABTC.

I find that pretty concerning to be honest.

How can a dog who doesn't allow the family to have guests for years on end ever be described as balanced?

As a general rule, some professionals have a habit of writing that is complimentary. Even the dermatologist wrote how lovely my dog was despite that being of no relevant to his medical issue - so there is an element of professional habit there. Even behaviourists do it. However, it is a skill to write in that manner and yet still be honest and clear about behaviour and it sounds like they may have misjudged the balance in this report. Behaviour that requires considerable sacrifice to manage is not particularly well rounded or balanced.

At eight and with that history, I suspect this dog will always be triggered to bark by something or another and from time to time. (Let's be just, that's about 80% of dogs, so not unusual).

What you need are clear ways to predict, handle and respond to it that help keep it to a minimum and keep your dog and everyone else safe.

Even if the response is as simple as an automatic turn about to get distance.

Yes I expect it's the orange. I know a dog who hates people carrying backpacks. Fine with all other people at all times, just barks at people with backpacks.

I'd go to your vet and get a behaviourist through them. Anyone saying your dog is happy and balanced when you can't have people round your house is completely missing the point IMO.

Is the dog barking and jumping at people aggressively from fear or from being over excited/wanting attention?

The thing is, pretty much anyone can get any qualifications if you have the funds or time. It doesn’t make them good at their job. It’s like any profession - teachers, doctors, civil servants etc. Just because someone has a degree in medicine it doesn’t mean they’re the right person to be a doctor. Just like being a vet nurse or a registered behaviourist doesn’t mean they’re any good at their job. I have a law degree - I made a bloody terrible lawyer.

I would really get a second opinion. The behaviour is escalating and with a big dog it really is better to be safe than sorry.

Likewise.

I'm a bit wary of behaviourists TBH. Such research as I have read (not much to be fair, I might have missed some) indicates that they are no better than ordinary dog trainers at getting results (and these are studies produced by the behaviourists themselves).

GSD are literally programmed in their DNA to guard and bark to warn of threats.

Yes it will have been the orange. Of course it is.

Calm down, you now know this is a trigger so just deal with it sensibly if you encounter it again (turn the dog away etc)

Hopefully as this is in the doghouse, you won't get the usual pile on of dog haters telling you to immediately PTS but I'm sure some will be along soon.

It's not the barking at a stranger that concerns me, it's the fact that OP hasn't been able to have guests in her home for at least four years.

I wouldn't advocate PTS but I would be concerned about the dogs' temperament.

It sounds like it could be the orange, but have you considered it could have been the bins? You say the loud noise shouldn't be an issue, but it could be the bins themselves? He may be used to walking past them when they're stationary on the pavement or the driveway but perhaps seeing them moving about unnerved him a little?

You could try seeing how he reacts to you moving your own bins about. If no issue at least you know it's not that.

My lab does NOT like when things are moved around in his normal route in and out of the street. His response is to stand stock-still rather than to bark, but it's likely the same behaviour - he's either got a fright or he does not approve of bins being in the wrong place. I wouldn't overly worry about this (I agree with pp's it's his behaviour in the house that's more concerning) - just turn around, or reassure or feed treats until his wee legs stop shaking.

Also, regarding the issues he displays inside the house, I don't think you've said what is driving the barking and jumping up. Is it aggression, or just over excitement?

I have two cocker spaniels who get overexcited and bark and jump a lot when guests come in the house, so we shut them behind a stair gate and wait until they've calmed down before allowing them to come out and say hello (or not depending on the guest).

Obviously jumping up and barking isn't acceptable behaviour, and there's a big difference between a cocker spaniel and a GSD. But a lot of dogs get overexcited when people come in the houses and it shouldn't mean you can't ever have guests over.

I imagine if you've gone to the effort of getting a behaviourist in you would have already tried various methods to correct the behaviour, and if it is aggression then perhaps it is best to play it safe and avoid potentially putting guests at risk. But if it's overexcitement, I'd have thought it could be worked on? Did the behaviourist suggest any strategies to resolve the issue?

@Lynca OZ says it's guarding in her fourth post.

Ah, thanks @fieldsofbutterflies I missed that, apologies OP.

I can't offer too much advise because I'm not a professional but I do have a prick dog who barks at some people through the window, not all and isn't happy when people come in the house at first. It's in his nature as he is an Akita. However, it's my house and I say who is allowed in. He is allowed to sniff them but all other behaviour (which can be grumbles, a solid side eye or in the early days, paws on their shoulder and pushing them over) is heavily corrected.

I don't think I'd be too concerned at a one off bark if he is ok to get a head rub. He was spooked.

Nervous GSD are as bad as nervous Akitas and need support from someone all knowing.