Question:
When I cough, my 11 year-old female Chocolate Lab pulls her ears back tightly, starts wagging her whole body vigorously, and runs to the door to be let outside. In addition, when I talk in a fast but normal tone/volume of voice, she asserts herself by putting her paws strongly on my arm, pulls ears back, wags vigorously, and tries to squeeze behind my chair, or jumps over furniture or objects to get away. I have had her for 9.5 years and this behavior started about 1 year ago. She is very much loved and well-cared for, is an inside dog, and has always been considered as part of the family. Her behavior has become so disruptive that it is difficult to have any sort of human conversation around her.

Any help or feedback is appreciated. Thank you.

Answer:
How about,each time this happens....you tell her to go into a sit or down and you give her a treat and praise..this way she will learn that not only is your coughing going to hurt you or her..but that you have established dominace over her.

Just a thought

Answer:
Maybe she's trying to tell you something? Did you recently get sick, that it involves coughing? But that wouldn't explain the talking thing... I don't know. Sorry I couldn't help.

Answer:
Maybe she has an ear problem? I have...I forget what it's called...eustation tube dysfunction I think, but the pressure doesn't stay in my left ear sometimes, and high pitch sudden noises like coughing, sneezing, loud talking...and TYPING (this one is the worst!!) make me cringe because it hurts when they happen.

I don't know if dogs can get it, but I don't see why they wouldn't.

Answer: