Member

Posts: 275
From:My IQ is higher than yours, I guarantee it.
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 01-07-2004 11:55 AM         

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When my dogs play...my dane pup gets VERY vocal. In a dog his size its a very intimidating noise. Now I know he is just playing...but at the park it sometimes makes other people nervous. Is this something that can be trained out of him? He is almost 5 months old

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Member

Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 01-07-2004 12:44 PM         

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Trust me I KNOW what you are talking about. Witt is a Catahoula and they are bay dogs (VERY VOCAL)he sounds literally like a real Tazmanian Devil. My neighbors made the comment to me one day that my dogs fight an awful lot. I asked why they thought that and was told they could hear them fighting. Witt sounds like he is fighting a bear and about to rip it's head off. It's only play though. They have gotten into a minor tiff here and there and it is quite obvious when the play has gone serious.
Ask yourself WHY you want to change the dogs being vocal? It is a part of him and his character. What others think shouldn't be a factor in my opinion. I tell people upfront if our dogs are going to play together that my dog is very vocal and sounds like a heathen...I also tell them he plays rough. Then they know what to expect and it doesn't take them by surprise. If after that it intimidates them then our dogs simply don't play. Even if I wanted to I couldn't change that part of Witt unless I had him debarked. I could refuse to let him play...but why? I don't have a problem with him playing like he is a toughie if someone else does..too bad so sad. Thats just my way of thinking.
I just re-read what I wrote ....let me be clear, I expect good manners from my dog, and when he plays with another dog I expect him to play nice and be polite, him going overboard will end the playdate. I also don't have any trouble allowing the other dog to get after him a bit if he is being rude, it's actually more effective coming from the other dog. There are some dogs I don't think he plays well with and others I find to be a great match, those are the ones who won't put up with his bullyness and will set him straight when he goes to far. They tend to play respectfully together.
I say let him vocalize all he wants and pay more attention to his manners.

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Member

Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 01-07-2004 02:51 PM         

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Here is a picture that shows perfectly why people may think the dogs are serious, Witt and Dooley are JUST PLAYING, they are not fighting. But Witt looks like he is...he just plays this way, and Dooley would be heading for the hills if he thought Witt were serious. Dooley hates any serious confrontation he is a lover. Witt likes the theatrics.

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