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Harry Hoover and the 85 lb Fear of 2 Year Olds

By Shellee Ashmore

Services for Real Estate Pros with The Inner Iris Photography

September 27, 2007 05:28 AM

Meet Harry Hoover my 2 year old ghost eyed Weimaraner!

Harry

He is a doll with the family and my three year old, but when it comes to strangers he simply will not trust a soul. Is he too old to socialize, I find myself wondering as I take him for daily walks where he barks at everything from passing two year olds on tricycles to moving vehicles that get too close. I am afraid to take him to dog parks and other public places due to his skittish behavior toward strangers. He has never bitten and barks merely out of nervousness but people do not know that and are generally scared of him when he barks at them, what with being such a big dog and all. He barks at the kids at the park and anyone who comes down our street. I think it may be behavior he has learned from our old boxer gal that is practically blind so she barks at anything and everything out of fear. Is this sort of behavior permanent or will it get better the older he gets and, sad but inevitable, when our other dog dies?

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Candy Henthorne

Results Realty - Spring, TX

Spring Texas Real Estate

Shellee - Great photograph! Harry looks like a gentle sole, and he will mellow out as he gets a little older I believe. He will start making a friend or two in the neighborhood and will get more trusting as time goes on. (my two cents worth) :)

Sep 27, 2007 07:09 AM

Sara Goodwin

Estimation Nation Corporation - Portland, OR

Portland, Oregon Appraiser

Harry's beautiful! Don't give up on him - We have taken in our share 'senior' dogs (usually around six years old, which I consider to be 'middle-aged' rather than senior) - I've had nothing but pleasant surprises with their good doggie park etiquette after a couple of weeks of working with them. In fact, our best 'doggie park dog' is completely leash-aggressive (acts like she wants to attack other dogs when we're on a walk) - The best part is, they are completely worn out when they come home and have no energy to bark at anyone at all -

Sep 27, 2007 08:24 AM

Robert Monk

100% Realty, Inc. - Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Florida Real Estate

Puff, the Magic Dragon, lives by the Bay

Hello again Shellee. Please say 'Hello' to Puff. He's a little rough around the edges. A great watch dog, by a threat to my cats, and anybody else he doesn't care for.

Sep 27, 2007 03:05 PM

Shellee Ashmore

The Inner Iris Photography - Spring, TX

Candy- Thanks, I hope your right, he is bound to get used to people at some point.

Sara- your comments make me feel beter. And I will never give up on him, he really is no danger to anyone and that would have been a real concern if he was. I think he is more aggressive on the leash than off but I haven't really tested that yet, I am afraid too. Would you recommend some sort of socializing group?

Robert- you knew for sure that i was going to like Puff... I wonder why! he is as cute as ever. I would love to get hold of him to do pictures, he has those photogenic eyes I go crazy for in a dog. I'll have to share some more pictures of Harry with you sometime! He looks like such a sweetheart even if he doesn't get along with the cats too well. Mine doesn't mind a cat at all, but thats because my cats where around him sense he was a puppy. My fathers dog however... watch out she would rip a cat to shreds if she got half a chance! She goes absolutely insane when she sees one.

Sep 28, 2007 12:45 AM

Sara Goodwin

Estimation Nation Corporation - Portland, OR

Portland, Oregon Appraiser

If you have a doggie daycare in your area, you may want to try taking him there once a week or so. It might do him some good to take him out of his element for socialization. We often have dogs over to the house as well. I'm always shocked that our dogs welcome other dogs in their yard so easily.

I have yet to cure Riley of nervously barking when people come to the house (he's getting better), but he's funny on walks because he'll do a kind of 'happy bark' when he passes people... it's just hard to convince folks that a 90+ lb dog is just barking to say 'howdy' -

Sep 28, 2007 12:55 PM

Shellee Ashmore

The Inner Iris Photography - Spring, TX

Thats an excellent suggestion Sara I will definitely take a look! And just like your dog, I don't think people would take Harry half so seriously if he weren't half so big. I often think that is funny because out of all the dogs I've known its only been the little ones that have actually tried attacking some one for no reason... though I have to admit the pit bull this one guy walks around my neighborhood is a nasty piece of work! But that is another story. I'm not saying I don't like small dogs, cause I do, I'm just saying size has no direct correlation to aggression.

Sep 29, 2007 12:54 AM

Frances C. Rokicki

Fran Rokicki Realty, LLC - Bolton, CT

Broker-Mentor,CRS

What a handsome boy! Our lab, Jack, just turned one. He never barked until a few days ago. Now, like your Harry, he barks when we walk, and oh, when we are out in the Four Runner stopped at a light. He barks at the vehicle next to us. I am trying to stop that. Here is my suggestion, read the book, Ceasar's Way. He is the "Dog Whisperer" on cable. The book is very helpful in many ways. Enjoy your walks with Harry!

It's a Good Life!

Fran Rokicki, Clubnet~Mentor

Sep 29, 2007 05:48 AM

Shellee Ashmore

The Inner Iris Photography - Spring, TX

Thanks Fran, we are rather attached to him. and I will give the book a look! Thanks for the suggestion.

Sep 30, 2007 12:55 AM

Kathleen Lordbock

Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN

Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Harry has a little hesitant look in his eyes, while Puff does not. Harry will learn to trust and not be so territorial on a leash when he gets let go more.

What sweet and beautiful dogs.

Sep 30, 2007 04:03 PM

Shellee Ashmore

The Inner Iris Photography - Spring, TX

Kathleen- He doesn't relly like my big bright photo head lights. He is a bit of a chicken after all!

Oct 01, 2007 01:42 AM

Kathleen Lordbock

Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN

Keller Williams Realty Professionals

And you are a very good photographer!

Oct 01, 2007 04:34 AM

Brett Mumaw

RE/MAX First - New Albany, IN

Your Indiana Move

Hey Shellee. You know what's funny is that while reading this, I kept thinking of my boxer girl Ali and then you said she may have learned it from yours.

Ali barks at EVERYTHING!

Ali

Oct 01, 2007 08:55 AM

Shellee Ashmore

The Inner Iris Photography - Spring, TX

Brett- I wonder if that is a coincidence =) ! She looks like a doll despite the barking. How old is she?

Oct 01, 2007 12:22 PM

Brett Mumaw

RE/MAX First - New Albany, IN

Your Indiana Move

Thanks Shellee. She definitely is my baby girl. She is about 3 1/2 and is very much the drama queen of the house. She fits perfectly with her counterpart, our 2 1/2 year old boy Brodie. He is very laid back and the total opposite of Ali. Together they make quite a pair.

both

Oct 01, 2007 11:58 PM

Shellee Ashmore

The Inner Iris Photography - Spring, TX

Brett- Ours had a brindle pup once that looked very much like her but had more of the black mask like Brodie. I would have loved to see what he turned out looking like. Boxers are such great dogs, they will love you forever.

Oct 02, 2007 01:34 AM

Robert Monk

100% Realty, Inc. - Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Florida Real Estate

Hello Shellee,

Please take a look at the blog of Carole Provenzale. She's a Feng-shui specialist. I think you will appreciate here pictures.

Thanks,

Robert

Oct 03, 2007 04:18 PM

Shellee Ashmore

The Inner Iris Photography - Spring, TX

I'll do it Robert. Thanks for the heads up!

Oct 04, 2007 01:42 AM

Shellee Ashmore

The Inner Iris Photography - Spring, TX

Thanks Terry I will keep it in mind! Though I am still sure to be nervous with him around that many people and dogs.

Oct 06, 2007 02:17 AM

Shellee Ashmore

The Inner Iris Photography - Spring, TX

Thanks Terry that sounds like a plan to me. I will try it out soon and let you know how he fairs. Hopefully all will go off without a hitch!

Oct 09, 2007 03:03 AM

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