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Hello.. I'm new to this board but I recently have had to take in a Dalmation that my brother couldn't handle. The dog is very sweet to my girlfriend and I (and couple known others) but mean to any strangers which is great, and he's very huge.. about double size of his father. The dog originally came from my dad which breeds Dalmations. I have had other dogs in the past (never a dal though) but this one either seems to hear poorly(which ive read is a dal problem sometimes) or hears extremely well and what I mean is like if I am watching TV and the dog is in the room.. and hears another dog on TV barking, or a cat "meowing" or any other animal or noise he doesn't like.. he goes nuts and starts looking around the house for that barking dog on tv ot whatever and he barks, and growls and just runs around for 10 mins or so looking EVERY TIME.. and it's really kind of annoying since there is alot of noises on TV ya know. I have NEVER seen any other dog pay attention to TV like this.. ever!! Has anyone else seen or heard of this? and is there maybe some way I could teach him it's okay when the noise is on TV? I have been saying "its ok, TV" thinking maybe that would work after a bit but it's going nowhere. Any info/help would be greatly appreciated. TIA Chris

>>Hello.. I'm new to this board but I recently have had to take in a Dalmation that my brother couldn't handle. The dog is very sweet to my girlfriend and I (and couple known others) but mean to any strangers which is great, and he's very huge.. about double size of his father. The dog originally came from my dad which breeds Dalmations. I have had other dogs in the past (never a dal though) but this one either seems to hear poorly(which ive read is a dal problem sometimes) or hears extremely well and what I mean is like if I am watching TV and the dog is in the room.. and hears another dog on TV barking, or a cat "meowing" or any other animal or noise he doesn't like.. he goes nuts and starts looking around the house for that barking dog on tv ot whatever and he barks, and growls and just runs around for 10 mins or so looking EVERY TIME.. and it's really kind of annoying since there is alot of noises on TV ya know. I have NEVER seen any other dog pay attention to TV like this.. ever!! Has anyone else seen or heard of this? and is there maybe some way I could teach him it's okay when the noise is on TV? I have been saying "its ok, TV" thinking maybe that would work after a bit but it's going nowhere. Any info/help would be greatly appreciated. TIA Chris
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I have a dog who got too excited by dogs on TV, and what worked best was just to change the channel. They get high on the adrenaline from a barking frenzy. Interrupt that by removing the stimulation, and you can fade the habit. It's really the easiest way. Just don't leave a TV on with no one there to change the channel.

It's not a good idea to encourage him to be "mean" to strangers. He's very likely to bite a guest or meter reader, and have to be put to sleep. Get into training class with him.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

Thanks for the reply..
I don't encourage him to be "mean" to anyone. I don't live in the best neiborhood in town though and people knock on my door all hours of the night asking for money and various things and the Dalmation has scared 100% of them away. That's really what I meant. But about biting guests and/or meter readers.. Well the meter reader is okay b/c I can't let the dog outside without being on a leash he will hop these fences here with 1 leap in a second. Normally when someone he doesn't know comes into the house.. I put him in his room and close the door. Sometimes he breaks the windows out if theres another dog outside though.. He's a monster!! I love him though. hehehe ; ) I will try changing the channel, but I have tried this in the past I was hoping maybe one day he will grow out of this. (He's a bit over 2 years old now)

Your dog sounds like a brother to my dog,lol.We tried professionals and not even that helped.The vet suggested taking out extra insurance and NEVER letting him off the leash!
As far as the Tv thing..My Mom's Pekeinese would see a video we took of our kitten before he died and she would look behind the tv for the kitten because she use to be a "mommy" to him.Never seen a dog do it before or since then though.Good luck with your Dal and PLEASE be VERY patient with him

>>Thanks for the reply..
>>I don't encourage him to be "mean" to anyone. I don't live in the best neiborhood in town though and people knock on my door all hours of the night asking for money and various things and the Dalmation has scared 100% of them away. That's really what I meant. But about biting guests and/or meter readers.. Well the meter reader is okay b/c I can't let the dog outside without being on a leash he will hop these fences here with 1 leap in a second. Normally when someone he doesn't know comes into the house.. I put him in his room and close the door. Sometimes he breaks the windows out if theres another dog outside though.. He's a monster!! I love him though. hehehe ; ) I will try changing the channel, but I have tried this in the past I was hoping maybe one day he will grow out of this. (He's a bit over 2 years old now)

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Even just being glad he makes you feel safe with some of the aggressive displays is enough to overencourage some dogs in their aggression. You're right to be careful. As far as dogs on TV, no, they don't outgrow this reaction. Without intervention, it escalates. I started seriously working on it with my dog when I saw him hit the TV with front paws and tip it.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com