scary moment at Petsmart

[mica54]

We have been taking Rufus to beginning training classes at Petsmart for 8 weeks now. He has done great. He gets a bit too excited at times but all in all he has done a great job. Well yesterday was our graduation day and we were in our little circle just like normal and Rufus is lying down and being very calm. All the sudden this guy walks toward the class and Rufus goes nuts. He starts barking, his really deep bark and growling at this guy. We corrected him but the rest of the time we were there it was like he stayed on alert. Everytime he would see this one guy he would go crazy. It scared me so bad. Even our instructor was baffled because he has never made a sound during any of our classes. It really bothered me because he has never barked like that at anyone. I don't know why but I have a big fear of him becoming aggressive. I just want him to be as behaved as possible. What can I do to prevent him from barking at anyone like that again?

 

[Net45582]

..sounds like Rufus sensed something bad about that guy.....you just need to stay alert.I don't think there is anything you can do when a dog senses things we humans cannot.

 

[Rocky's Ma]

Maybe something the guy was wearing looked scary to him. Or just something about the way the guy carried himself?

 

[SandyHG55654]

Seems like Rufus sensed something like the others said. At least you know he can be protective if he needs to be. I'd just be careful with him around strange men for a while. I wouldn't worry about him being agressive if that's the first time it's happened, just sounds like a freak thing.

 

[Coco'smommy]

There must have been something about that guy that he didn't like. There are certain people Coco gets upset with and others she doesn't. I've always been told to trust my dogs instinct, they know things we don't.

 

[My Samson]

I'm one of those 'believers' that dogs are a good judge of character. It sounds like to me that he just sensed something bad about the guy.

Samson actually did something similar to this a few weekends ago. We had never met the neighbors behind us and they were walking around in their yard and came close to the edge of the property where our property meets theirs. Samson is usually inquisitive of new people - never a bark or anything. But, as soon as these people got close - he started going nuts. At first, I was a little embarrassed as they introduced themselves (but kept their distance). Afterwards, I got over my 'embarassment' real fast when I realized he just sensed something he didn't like about them.

I wouldn't panic...it doesn't seem like you should worry about aggressiveness.

 

[TracyandSam]

I agree...Rufus sensed something about this guy. I wouldn't worry about agggression. My son brought home a friend from school one night and Greta did not like him at all. She usually bends herself in half with wiggles when she sees any kids. She barked at him when he came in and didn't want anything to do with him. Extremely odd for her, usually the kids have to shut their doors to get away from her! Turns out this boy stole money and a PS2 game from my son. I totally trust my dogs instincts!

 

[Gemflies]

I agree he sensed something about the guy or maybe something about what the guy was doing was setting him off

 

[CherryPlum]

Sandy does that sometimes. Certain people set her off. I've learned to trust her judgement & be wary of them. She's never done it to someone I know to be a nice person.

 

[elbykitty]

Oscar loves just about everyone, even folks that I get a bad vibe from. But he is a bit scared of elderly people, I am sure it is something in the way they move, slower and more cautiously. It is so embarrassing when he barks at them. I wouldn't worry it could have been a number of things such as a hat, mustache, or movement etc that set him off..
Elbykitty
Mom of Oscar and Lilly