Dutch Shepherd Forum

I haven't been on here for some time now and everything seems to be going well with Remington and he has grown into quite the amazing dog. We have moved to an apartment which I know is not ideal for the breed and living here in the rainy NW I get to spend lots of time out with him in the rain in order to provide him the opportunity to stretch his legs and get his energy out. I'm not complaining as I knew what I was signing up for when I got him at about 16 months old. Remington turns 3 in 8 days and he is such a great part of the family living with me and my 15 y/o son and 13 y/o daughter. Lately he has started barking when someone comes to the door which is very new behavior and I tell him to leave it and he calms a little but he is very eager to see who is on the other side and doesn't really act aggressive but curious and excited to meet whomever it is. The issues that bring me to posting however are a little alarming to me. Twice now when standing outside with him on leash a child that lives in our apartments has ran by or ridden by on a bicycle and he has reached out and grabbed there pant leg never actually nipping the child and not making a hole in the clothes but just enough to tug it as they go by. Both times the child was coming up from behind me and I was talking with someone else and didn't see it happen but could tell something did by the kids reaction or the person I was talking to saw it and told me. The other thing is as I was standing outside with him on his retractable leash (which after this incident is not used anymore) I was talking with a friend and a neighbor who has been over a handful of times was walking up and Remington went to meet him with his typical head a little low and ears back and tail down. Now I should let you know he approaches every situation whether it be a dog or a person this way unless he knows them. So as this neighbor was approaching I said hi to him and we were starting to chat about whatever it was and Remington walked up and it appeared to me that he nuzzled the guys hand like he pet me but my neighbor pulled his hand back like he nipped him. He said he didn't get him so I'm not sure if he really nipped him or like I said wanted him to pet him. Also the neighbor walked up with his hoodie up over his head so Remington may not have recognized him right away. I'm not sure if I should be alarmed or not with these things. As for the kids the all play with Remington and will take turns throwing his Frisbee for him and he is always great with them. Remington is a bit of a fearful dog or that is how I perceive his behavior with always approaching people and dogs he doesn't know with his head a little low and the ears back (although he only holds his ears erect when he is chasing a ball or Frisbee). The second day we had Remington he wanted my son to play with him and went and hit his muzzle against the side of my sons face while chomping his teeth. I was right there when it happened and grabbed him and lifted his front legs off the floor and shamed him by giving him a little shake and saying shame in a loud deep voice and he has never done anything close to that since. That is really the only punishment he has ever had at my house however I do think he was not treated so well before we had the pleasure of adopting him. What are your thoughts on his behavior?

One thing I would work on is when people come to the door. You say he calms down a bit when you say "leave it." JMO, but "leave it" is "leave it" (not just a little bit "leave it"). Whether you work with a different command that deals with people coming to door or not, I think it's important that he know once you indicate that "I got it, back off," that that's what he does, or in this case, learns. (So hard...even if they're not being aggressive, they're so curious and want in on everything!)

Others can speak more to your other concerns, but his new behaviors don't necessarily have to equal him being "more protective." Could be fear-based, uncertainty how to react in particular situation/with something new, etc.

A lot of dogs react bikes, skateboarders, joggers...when they need to be indifferent to them. Does he react to this type of movement at a distance--with or without you?

Glad you tossed the retractable leash. (My husband came home with one years ago and I quietly got rid of it.)

I think you're looking at strengthening OB (and his confidence) and then proofing him in various situations at a distance, eventually closing in as he gets better, more reliable, and more confident. JMO.