I've noticed on walks, dogs will bark loudly and her through the fence sometimes she reacts, depending on the bark. If a larger dog barks multiple times at her she reacts by whining while she continues to walk. If a smaller dog barks she sometimes shows excitement but continues walking.
I'm wondering if it's a sign of discourage or insecurity maybe fear?
Has anyone else's pups done this before? She will still eat treats while walking as if she is comfortable. Maybe they are telling her something?
Chance isn't comfortable around aggressive dogs either and that may be how large barking dogs - possibly "protecting" their yards - seem to Nala. She may be whining just because she isn't comfortable and must pass by even though she is feeling some fear. I think she isn't so afraid as to curb her appetite for treats. This would be exactly how Chance would be if offered a treat under similar conditions. He would have to be under a LOT of stress to refuse a treat - very rarely happens.
I believe this could be the issue! She is a pretty easy going dog! She isn't one to be dominant just "aims to please". The typical Golden personality! Hence why we love them.
Do you see it as something to worry about? How have you eased Chance?
Keeping an eye on her body language, tail position is often a good indicator of how a dog is feeling in a particular situation, the lower the tail (from normal ) or tighter tucked the more anxious the dog likely is. Watching the ears is also a good visual cue, pulled back, flat against the head, indicates stress/uncertainty, not sure what to expect. Keeping moving, if she is willing, creating a little more distance from the 'problem' location, ie: crossing the street, can help to ease the anxiety, increasing the rate of reinforcement, can work to change how she feels about the situation.
Hmm. Albus loves going on walks when I take him to open fields or empty ball parks, but I've been noticing when I try to walk him down the street, he's kind of been resisting. There's a large German Shepherd a few houses down that always barks loudly from the backyard when we pass. The first time he heard him, Albus seemed mildly nervous, but after a short pause (and look at me like, "what the heck is going on here??") we continued on without issue. I hadn't really pegged him to be a shy or nervous dog, but maybe the barking GS made a bigger impression on him than I thought.
Thanks for posting this, as it kind of opened my eyes to possibility that Albus was scared of the dog up the street...
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