Our beautiful lab noted as 'dangerous' by electricity company

[Teeki]

The guy came around today to check our metre. Unfortunately our meter is in our laundry, so he's gotta go round the back and through the sunroom, so he couldn't avoid our dog.

Usually he is the most placid thing. He's never hurt anyone, and loves people - he's never been a good guard dog! We're on lpg as well, and that guy comes and changes the gas tank and the dog is absolutely fine.

But anyway, lately he's been getting grumpy at people going past our house. He likes to sit at the door, and he gets really grumpy when people walk past - I've noticed it's usually older men. So today i'm home for lunch, and he suddenly gets up and has a grumpy. Usually once I open the door and he sees the person he's happy and wants to play, but not today.

I actually had to lock him in the bedroom while the guy was here, and then he tells me most of our past bills have been estimated because he's put him down as a dangerous dog. Do you think something could have happened when he came one time and now that's why the dog has an issue with older men? I'm just sad that he would be considered dangerous

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[Party-of-five]

im sure he is not dangerous but maybe just once the man was nervous and your dog picked up on it. I dont think our dogs are dangerous but they do jump and carry on around strangers and maybe thats all it takes for them to be considered dangerous as Im sure to some one scared of dogs it would be quiet scary.

[misty]

I am not sure.
I have a lab as well, most playful happy go lucky thing in the world. But if someone enters the yard that she doesn't know, or if DH and I aren't there when they enter, she goes berserk. She is protecting her territory and her family. If someone tried to enter our backyard when we weren't there, she would likely be classed as a dangerous dog too (all bark and no bite mind you) - and when that has happened it has taken her a couple of weeks to become more relaxed in the presence of strangers. Funny thing is I would trust her unconditionally with my children who pull her hair and poke her eyes - just not with a stranger entering her territory unaccompanied.

[Teeki]

Yeah, I suppose to someone not used to him his size could be intimidating when he barks. I guess it could be a confidence thing? Like if the gas guy and the electricity guy are approaching him differently he may have different reactions to them?

I'm not stressed that he's guarding the house with a bark, and we've never had a problem before, it just got me worried that we might in future. I guess the electricity guy will be checking the metre at lunch time from now on!

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[ladybird11]

I've always thought of dogs being great judges of character - maybe something has happened and your doggy is not cool with older men now? Do you have any neighbour issues?

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

Funny you mention this our dogs always bark if someone comes in but very rarely will it continue once someone is out of the car etc but the electricity man came in yesterday and he has to come through the front gate and into the kids/dogs yard.. they barked and then stopped.. told DP and he said they are game walking into someones yard like that without notice or coming to the door first.

[Teeki]

I've always thought of dogs being great judges of character - maybe something has happened and your doggy is not cool with older men now? Do you have any neighbour issues?

No, our neighbour is a 40 something guy and the dog loves him. Which made me wonder if something happened with this particular guy? When he came through the house the dog didn't calm down, which is unusual - once they're there he's usually relaxed. He even has no issue with DH's massive work mates. I dunno, I'm thinking it's possibly just this guy, maybe he doesn't like big dogs and didn't react well to him one time?

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[Nai]

My dog's demeanour changed when I was pregnant so maybe he has started protecting you?

[Teeki]

Funny you mention it Nai, my sil said the same thing! The timing matches up, so it's a possibility. And yeah ZF, I figure the ones who are going round back with a big black barking dog certainly aren't scared! And he probably picks up on that I guess. Seems to be a difference between someone coming to the front door and someone going through the airport gate. DH says if they just barge in the gate they're showing a bit of authority?

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[CeCe]

We had a german shephard who took a real dislike to our friends then BF who had an american accent. Honestly it was the only thing we could put it down to, either that or American's smell differnt (TIC).

The other thing to consider is how old is the dog and is it entire? Our shephard was de-sexed late in life but he was getting quite unpredictable to how he would react to people, especially if he was taken by surprise. I remember one walk a lady was gardening. I saw her kneeling down behind a low fence but our dog apparently didn't as when she stood up he got a fright and went of his head at her. Very embarrassing and I felt so sorry for the lady but could hardly hang around to give a full apology.

[Miss.September]

My dog's demeanour changed when I was pregnant so maybe he has started protecting you?

I was going to say that too. My beagle has always favoured DH, until I was about halfway through my pregnancy. Then she was all mine! Followed me everywhere, sat at my feet, everything. He couldn't get a look in. After DD was born, beagle is back in love with DH! They certainly can change when you're pregnant. Could be that your lab is doing a super job at protecting you.

[Teeki]

Ce-Ce, he turned 4 in November, and got de-sexed as soon as he was old enough. We were told he wouldn't grow up properly til he's 4, but this doesn't really seem like that - he's still a hyper pup at all other times!

I think we might for now put it down to being pregnant - he's been in the baby room plenty of times and smelt all the stuff, he knows something's going on. Sil said pregnant women also get a different smell he can pick up on? Might have to let the gas man know he may not be so playful next time! (Or would it be just when I'm around?)

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[Kazbah]

I reckon it's to do with the demeanor of the person - when I was doing census we were told to rattle the gate, wait, rattle the gate, wait and then only enter if no dog. I did that at one house and was at the top of the steps of the beautiful Queenslander when I heard a great ruckus behind me - it was a rottie - I almost pee'd myself! I just said to the dog "where's your ball" and he went off, got the ball and I threw it for him while I put the stuff under the door.

When I came to collect the census stuff I returned when the peeps were home, and they asked how I got in there to do that as their dog usually attacks and bites people (gee, thanks for putting a "beware of the dog" sign on your gate!!!). I reckon it was cause I didn't show fear - same as other times I've almost been attacked and told dogs to "sit" and they do. My mum however screeches and that tends to hype up the dogs and I've had to rescue her a few times, from the same dogs.

I do hope nobody else has this problem, and TBH if strange people aren't wandering around your yard cause your dog is protective, I reckon that's the job of a dog.

[lissy]

Did the guy have a cap or something on? My mums dog, a dog that I grew up with my whole life used to hide behind the shed untill he knew who was in the car at the front gate, bailed a friend of mine up when he went to walk into their yard wearing a cap once.

We worked out it was because the electricity guy was wearing a cap/hat when he zapped the dog with a jigger once.

[Teeki]

He zapped your dog lissy?! If I found out it was because of something like this I'd be putting in a complaint. But this guy wears the exact same thing DH does at work, so I don't reckon it was that.

Lol kazbah, I think you're right, if this guy had said "where's your toy?" Zed would have been off like a shot to get whatever his face is today. The gas guy has said he has a little play when he comes over, and he may have had an advantage with us being home the first time he came over.

And I think you're right about the demeanor of the person too. And glad the rotti didn't attack you!

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