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Post by Dave on Dec 14, 2010 14:44:17 GMT -5
I was hanging wash last evening, trying to occupy the pits at the same time, when I tucked a pair of pants under my chin, basically making myself into a huge pair of pants with a head. Rocky, who was just laughing and dancing around, immediately started growling and barking at me, hackles up from his skull to his tail. It was like I threw a switch.
I was smiling and talking to him when I extended a hand throught the space between the legs, and he went into full blown flight. Trapped himself in the corner by the stairs.
Well I was just laughing my butt off by then, until I realized this was real, and Rocky was crazy with fear. As soon as I lowered the pants, he came running and wiggling, all happy again.
I've never seen anything like it. Lola was ignoring me. I tested him again in five minutes, and the same thing happened. He never rushed me, or showed that he would bite, but I was a little concerned. I think if I pushed far enough he would bite.
I guess a TT title is out of the question. Oh well, I didn't adopt him for protection. But he's still a good deterrent.
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Post by maryellen on Dec 14, 2010 14:58:18 GMT -5
oh no poor Rocky!! some dogs just react differently to things then others.. he never saw you with pants under your chin, and it freaked him out . i bet if you tried you could desensitize him to it..
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Post by Dave on Dec 14, 2010 15:18:57 GMT -5
It was just so surreal. I didn't hide then pop out at him. He was in front of me looking when I put the jeans under my chin. He changed instantly, both from happy to fear, then back again.
I did try a third time and it had the same affect, just alot less severe. I'm going to have to be careful with him around kids, I think. You just can't know the baggage a used dog comes with till you test them.
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Post by maryellen on Dec 14, 2010 15:26:25 GMT -5
oh you did this right in front of him? ok yeah i would be careful with him around kids, and make sure whoever comes over your house understands dress up is not allowed... my gsd used to hate hats and hoods, so i had to tell anyone coming over no hats or hoods allowed to be on or she would freak..
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Post by Dave on Dec 14, 2010 15:29:46 GMT -5
Hats and hoods phobias are pretty common, at least in my experience.
I had Ivan only a couple days when one evening I need to take him outside in the rain. I put a hat on he thought he was gonna die. I quick took the hat off, and pick up a totes umbrella. He fell backwards screaming and howling, pissed all over the living room.
I never did that agin.
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Post by maryellen on Dec 14, 2010 15:33:17 GMT -5
omg poor Ivan
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Post by sugar on Dec 14, 2010 16:24:09 GMT -5
The only time Chubby ever got scared of me was on Halloween I was painting up my face ala Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead, think flowery skull). He was fine in his bed while I was painting and when I turned around and blew him a kiss (I do this a lot) he sat up and began to crawl backwards very slowly. His poor little eyes were super wide! Later that night when I got him he ran to the door when he heard my keys but ran away when he saw him. I sat on the couch while he watch from a far. I took some wipes and began to clean off the paint (man, that much makeup can get suffocating!!). He just tilted his head the whole time. Once I was all clean up he ran back at me all happy and wiggly.
He is fine with hats/hoods/veils/any kind of clothing but not painted up faces. Whats funny is I have a terrible and crippling fear of clowns so I guess we have that in common,lol.
Poor Rocky and Ivan, but you are right. Sometimes just when you think you know your dog they surprise you with something new
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Post by catstina on Dec 15, 2010 9:52:33 GMT -5
Benny was afraid of hoods when I first brought him home, but he got over it pretty quickly. His biggest fear was skateboards. He hated them. The shelter didn't know, because it was in the woods and he never encountered skateboards there. Interestingly enough, it was only skateboards, not shopping carts or bikes or strollers. Different dogs have different fears; you never really know what's going to scare them!
He's not a dog, but my cat Bowie is scared to death of his sister Ziggy when she first gets back from the vet (I just learned this on Friday after her spay). His tail puffs up to the size of a raccoon's and he stays at least a foot away from her for about 10 minutes, then he's fine. But he does it ever time! Tim took Ziggy to the vet yesterday to check on her incision because it was a little swollen. They were gone for only 20 minutes, but when they got home Bowie acted like he didn't even know her! He's a funny cat, he has his moments.
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Post by Dave on Dec 15, 2010 10:10:38 GMT -5
Well, I tested Rocky again this morning. He was okay with it, and came to me looking for my hands.  No more Mr. Scarypants for him! |
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Post by sugar on Dec 15, 2010 10:39:45 GMT -5
lol, Mr. Scarypants.
Maybe Bowie got weirded out because Ziggy smelled different? I've heard that animals release some kind of smell-able (yeah, I just said that,lol) scent when they are upset/scared/unhappy.
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Post by marc on Dec 15, 2010 11:06:07 GMT -5
I had the same thing with Jackie yesterday..out of the blue. our normal jackie wakes up from a nap to go out...But i was walking toward her, putting the hat over my head, and she growled and hackles went up near her collar... then it stopped and she wiggled.
I noticed with her..when she just wakes up she gets some nervousness in her.
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Post by maryellen on Dec 15, 2010 11:24:59 GMT -5
yeah for rocky!!
marc sometimes dogs that arent exposed to everyday items will show a reaction as its new to them..
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I look forward to learning much here