My dog a Miniature Schnauzer is usually break neck speed to get outside day or night, daytime to chase chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits, opossums, and or skunks heaven forbid he gets sprayed. Rather darts at them when he see's them. Because I walk him on a Leather Leash about 6ft long and he normally at my side no farther than 1-2ft away at anytime. Now one thing he does hate is Thunder, and the loud booming sound of fireworks, which hasn't started yet. Still in the past 3 days he has been very skittish about going outside at night. To the point if I went to the door at night he would be at my side trying to be first. This hasn't happened in 3 days. Last night when I tried to take him out he crawled under the bed. This was strange and totally out of his character. When I finally got him from underneath the bed and outside he cocked his head as if he was listening for something and staring. So instead of carrying my normal weapon. I stepped it up he still wouldn't try to leave the the drive way so I went up a bigger notch! After taken him on his walk he wouldn't urinate or defecate. Not once to mark his areas he kept his head low and was looking around listening and looking. At this point I went Hunter Alert fashioned and listen intently. I could hear something in the high grass, but couldn't see anything. I had my megawatt flashlight with new batteries. Still nothing. At one point it sounded as something was following us as you can hear that distinctive nail on pavement scrape. But when I turned the flashlight there was nothing to be seen. And he was looking intently toward the dark area and I didn't see anything. So upon returning home I took off his leash he ran up stairs and went under the bed. This morning he's fine in the window patrolling around the house as if nothing happen last night. When we went outside the area where we where grass is mashed down in no discerning pattern. I'm thinking deer, but he's not afraid of deer cause we nearly lost him to chasing deer. I'm thinking a bear is in the area at night or a bobcat, but he's darted at one of those at night we have seen Coyotes on 2 occasions in the past 3 years. Yet this is very different in the way he's acting. I'll post a picture of the lay down grass latter didn't have my phone with me. Any clues? My actions of getting out a bigger weapon made my wife nervous. Stupid of me. Can any of you guys help me out? Trails that was left in the grass...
Probably just a werewolf... I wouldn't worry about it too much. Really, do you have a game-cam? Set it up, throw out some sweets and see what you get a picture of.
I would suspect he heard thunder that you couldn't hear. I seriously doubt that an animal caused that reaction. He may have picked up on whatever animal was outside when you got out there but he was likely on full alert anyway and redirected to the animal. The answer is not always a bigger gun.
Most dogs have a very keen sense of smell. If he is being cautious I suggest you do the same. As far as the thunder, every dog I've ever had has been afraid of it. I think its the loudness coupled with the bright light that scares them.
3 or 4 12 gauges being fired in the blind has no effect on my lab, but as soon as hears thunder he's under the table.
Snakes have a very strong scent to dogs. I was hunting upland once and the dog went on point. Thinking it was a partridge I got ready for the shot. Turned out to be a black rat snake coiled and redy to strike. He made the mistake of striking at the dog and the dog grabbed it and proceeded to use it like a chew toy. Dog- 1 Snake - 0.
They can sense a storm in the distance. Have you or the surrounding areas been haveing storms lately? I know my dog would sense them and go nuts panting and following you all around the house. She would high tail it back to the house if she heard a duck hunters shotgun in the distance as well.
I have a Mini Schnauzer also. He thinks he's the biggest baddest dog on the block. He's been nearly torn to death by a Coyote, and fairly regularly gets attacked by our overly protective blue healer. But he keeps barking and chasing. He is scared to death of storm, he will go and hide under something and refuses to go outside. He is also very afraid of guns. It doesn't even have to be a real gun, just seeing the shape of the gun will cause him to shake. I think they are just quirky dogs.
Internet went off line last night...He still didn't want to go outside. Yet when the sun is up he wants to go outside feverishly. understandable. Something has to give or I'll invest in a trail cam and place it on the surround trees to see whats up.
