Something not often noticed here is that fear behavior – like running away – is equally unacceptable and just as much part of the cause of protective aggression as barking/lunging toward the threat. This second theory, however, is controversial not only because of the speculative geography, but also because if you push the connection between dogs and wolves too far nowadays trainers get all in an uproar. With over 6 million of the world’s best eBooks to choose from, Kobo offers you a whole world of reading.

This is understandable for a number of reasons, probably top on the list being that most owners don’t particularly want to go out and embarrass themselves and anger or annoy complete strangers by going out regularly every day and tracking down dark-skinned people their dog will react to and bark/lunge at. As a canine behavior counselor, the number one dog problem I deal with is reactive behavior, regardless of the trigger, and I’m sure other canine behavior experts would likely say the same. After multiple repetitions, Williams’ appearance at a below-threshold distance should elicit a cheerful “Where’s my treat?

This is a conditioned emotional response (CER) – your dog’s association with seeing people of the novel appearance is now positive one rather than a negative one. based on years of experience training dogs out of protective/aggressive behaviors to every kind of perceived threat. That’s going to put the dog on edge because they always notice that kind of thing and they bark or show their teeth. Perhaps the people who report “racist” dogs have similar (unconscious) thoughts of their own; the dog is simply physicalizing an emotion their owners are too civilized or intellectualized to show. If you’re fortunate enough to adopt the dog before this issue arises, the most beneficial and proactive thing to do is to make a concerted effort to socialize your dog or puppy with people of every different race or nationality you can think of.

When you’re out in front, your dog obediently following, you’ll be much more effective at stopping misbehavior before it erupts.Sensible dog care, health and nutrition advice and no-force training tips, Whole Dog Journal equips you with the tools to understand your dog, to encourage his physical and emotional wellness and to elicit his full potential and vitality. So what do I do - ask a black friend to come round so my dog can be exposed to them and learn to like them? Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but… We just adopted a beautiful blue lacy (3 year old female) who is super sweet and loving.

What the dog might be picking up on is other peoples anxiety, you have interpreted it as "racism" and now you are anxious if you see someone. In both cases there was nothing unsual about the way they were dressed - the Asian lady was wearing a headscarf but otherwise just the usual trousers, coat and boots etc. Racism is an ugly concept and an ugly word associated with an ongoing, systemic problem in our society, deeply rooted in history. I think op, you may want to get a consult with a behaviourist as sometimes the one nervous reaction multiplies and your plan on introducing the two whilst your dog is held is more likely to cause more nerves.In other words, dogs’ behavior problems reflect the segregated ways in which many Americans still live . I always advise my clients to expect to take two steps forward, and sometimes one step back, but to keep working. My Dad is black and she gets on perfectly well with him, so it's not an anxiety or 'hatred', maybe she recognises the skin colour difference and thinks it's my Dad.