Looking out the window makes dogs nasty?

[vx220]

Our Westie loves to look out the window at passersby, when we're there (he needs a lift!)

I thought about moving a sofa in our spare room so he could look out, but I've read that it can frustrate them and make them angry?

Any thoughts?

[anonymous-user]

my staffie has a chair by the window and he's quite happy wih barking at passers by. He doesn't get frustrated, I think he quite enjoys it

[boxst]

My Yorkshire Terrier will set on the stairs and look out of the window by the front door. I think it's more a 'patrol' thing though, as if anyone actually walks down the drive and comes into view of the house he has a complete fit and wants to kill them.

Edited by boxst on Saturday 18th February 16:07

[bexVN]

My two whippets use the back of the sofa to look out the window but it is purely observational. Our first whippet never really did it, it was something Bryn did as a pup (he is quite small so can walk up and down the sill as well) and Mabel has copied him. They are not territorial though so no barking etc, just waggy tails if someone comes down the drive or it is one of us coming home.

I guess it very much depends on the dogs character and whether they are territorial and likely to turn it into a guard post!

[talksthetorque]

We have 2 Mini Smooth Dachshunds here - Looking out of the window is a favourite pastime of one of them and he barks at anything he hears or sees going past. Fortunately only three more houses on the road.

Edited by talksthetorque on Saturday 18th February 20:14

[rigga]

Ours likes to stand on the sofa and watch the world go by (barking everytime something or someone passes the window) but also likes to sit on the stairs which is in direct line of site of the glass front door, can't see through it, but can see movement, and that sets him off too.

[vx220]

If I pick him up he will just watch, no barking. Just don't want to upset him, but if he'd enjoy it I don't want to deprive him!

[bexVN]

vx220 said:

If I pick him up he will just watch, no barking. Just don't want to upset him, but if he'd enjoy it I don't want to deprive him!

I guess the only way to know is to try it. I wouldn't like it if my dogs did bark as they looked out the window but I guess others don't mind and as long as it didn't turn him into a snarling menace it would be fine

[kev b]

Our dog is a lovely stzu, intelligent friendly and affectionate but if she sees someone approaching the door then she turns into a ball of fury, running around barking frantically.

Also absolutely hates postmen even when she spots one whilst riding in the car.

We put it down to being startled awake when the letterbox snapped shut each day when she was a pup.

[RegMolehusband]

My last Westie was lovely and very sociable when he met other dogs out for a walk.

But he used to bark crazily through the window at a Boxer bh that used to walk past. She was so placid that she just walked along the pavement behind her owner off the lead.

One day had hadn't noticed the Boxer coming down the road and as I opened the front door our Westie pushed past and jumped onto the back of this poor Boxer biting the back of her neck. He actually picked up a bite himself as she turned to defend herself. I dragged him off of course very apologetically.

So to answer the OP's title, yes I believe it can.

[vx220]

This is what worries me, he is absolutely loving with everybody he meets, and sociable with other dogs. However, he does get a bit snarly when we have to remove toys (or what's left of them!) so I don't want to exaggerate this side of his behaviour.

He has had a tough time in his first six years, before we got him. If I could hold him up all day I would!