Hi, I'm new to the group. Is it usual for dogs to bark at people with grey or white hair? We have a 14 month old white GSD. We socialised him really well when he was a puppy but he reacts to people with a full head of grey/white hair. Is this normal?
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Dog barking at people with grey or white hair
- Thread starter Gariline
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It isn't unusual for dogs to react to a specific thing. Do you know anyone with white or grey hair that could help you desensitise him?
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Did he meet many people with a good head of grey/white hair when he was younger? Could there be even just one bad experience with someone with grey/white hair? It could be something quite random that you wouldn't be able to recall - e.g. he spotted a person with grey/white hair just as a car backfired and scared him.
Whatever the cause, I would make sure you have a good supply of treats and keep your eyes peeled for anyone you think he might bark at. The moment he clocks them, give him a treat and move in the other direction. Even if he gets a bark in first, still treat him. In time, he should spot someone with grey hair, think 'Whoopee!' and turn to you for his treat. Then, you may be able to get a bit closer to the other person - always work within his comfort zone.
The reason I say to give him a treat even if he barks is that even if you do inadvertently reinforce the barking, what you need to focus on is the emotion underlying the bark, which will be anxiety. You can't reinforce anxiety by rewarding an anxious behaviour. The worst that will happen is when he sees a person with grey hair he'll go 'Woof! Do I get my treat now?' and it shouldn't be too hard to then train him that 'Woof!' isn't a necessary part of his response.
One more thing - be very aware of how you respond when you see someone you think he'll bark at. He'll sense the slightest tension in your body and that could be enough to set him off on his own.
Whatever the cause, I would make sure you have a good supply of treats and keep your eyes peeled for anyone you think he might bark at. The moment he clocks them, give him a treat and move in the other direction. Even if he gets a bark in first, still treat him. In time, he should spot someone with grey hair, think 'Whoopee!' and turn to you for his treat. Then, you may be able to get a bit closer to the other person - always work within his comfort zone.
The reason I say to give him a treat even if he barks is that even if you do inadvertently reinforce the barking, what you need to focus on is the emotion underlying the bark, which will be anxiety. You can't reinforce anxiety by rewarding an anxious behaviour. The worst that will happen is when he sees a person with grey hair he'll go 'Woof! Do I get my treat now?' and it shouldn't be too hard to then train him that 'Woof!' isn't a necessary part of his response.
One more thing - be very aware of how you respond when you see someone you think he'll bark at. He'll sense the slightest tension in your body and that could be enough to set him off on his own.
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