gillyb3 Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 Can someone please help us, we have had our 8yr rescue dog for about 7wks now and the last 2wks he has decide he would bark at other dogs when he sees them on his walks, His not doing it in a nasty way, and we would like to nip it in the bud as its abit embrassing if you know what i mean. His not really into food or toys so thats not helping. He has meet nose to nose to some of the dogs in the village but a lady we know has a girl spaniel and boy terrier and he started growling at the terrier and pushing him with his nose so got us abit worried at meeting nose to nose on other dogs. We would just like to walk anywhere without him taking to barking at the them. If they are quite away from him his fine. His suppose to be good with other dogs but dogs do give a different picture of them selfs in kennels. Any help much welcome as i dont want to make him worse or do thinks that will make it worse. Thanks gillian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cycas Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 I'm no expert, but it sounds like he might be missing social interaction with other dogs and getting a bit frustrated? That seems to be quite a common thing with 'only' dogs: they want to have a social life, they get a bit over-keen and start barking to show how much they want to get in there and sniff the other dogs, the owner gets worried, keeps away from other dogs more, the dog gets more frustrated, the owner gets more worried... Does he get any chances to run and play with other dogs off the lead? If not, could you arrange for him to meet other dogs at the park or something like that? Or maybe try some training classes or fun dog activities? When you say 'nose to nose' it's generally a good idea not to have dogs walk straight up to each other face to face. In dog society, approaching face on seems to be considered rather rude: polite dogs greet from the side. That is particularly important if all the dogs are on the lead, because many dogs feel more insecure like that as they feel they can't move away easily. That said, dogs are individuals like people, it could be that he simply didn't hit it off with that particular terrier. The terrier didn't stand up on its hind legs, by any chance? One of my dogs can't abide it when little dogs do that, he considers it very improper! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillyb3 Posted November 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 Thankyou cycas. i did think i might have afew more replys but anyway yes you are totally right it is like that, the properly is that most dogs around here are not friendly and the terrier and spaniel lady did say we could walk with her around the field at the back of our houses but this terrier falls over very easy as he has a problem with his back legs so we were about making the problem worse. Our rescue was is suppose to be very laid back and not need much exercise , he got other ideas, his walked 5times aday and today he has just been to holkham pasted couple of dogs that were only short way from us and he was fine. I think you are totally right that he does want to run with another dog but we cant let him off the lead yet as his recall not good at all. And we are starting to feel guilty as i know he would love to play with them. My parents do have a friend that is a gamekeeper but he lives in buckinghamshire and has a holiday home here, he comes quite often and we were thinking of asking him if we could borrow one of his dogs as they are very good and girls that we could let him run around in parents garden as they have an acre of land (fenced). Other than this dont know what else can do. Does anybody know of a very good training classes in norfolk that may help?. We are up for doing anything that would make him even happier . If i knew how to post photos on here you would see whos the house it is and how happy he is . Thankyou again so much cycas. Gillian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cycas Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 If the terrier has leg problems that might well explain it - dogs do seem to sometimes identify a weak dog and react differently to them. As your parents have all that fenced space, at least you have somewhere to practice the recall training! Also, what about using a long line - like the lunge lines they use with horses - I know it's not the same as being offlead, but it might allow him to interact more freely. If the rescue where you got him is not far away, do they do any group walks or activities you could take him to? Can't help on training classes in Norfolk as am not local to you - try posting a separate thread with that as the heading, that way more people are likely to see! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumpole Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 was also going to suggest a long line so as not to have him feel quite so 'contained' and unable to flee should the going get tough, also its a concerned owners natural reaction to tighten the lead and stiffen when another dog approaches in preparation for a reaction, which can then inadvertently provoke the very reaction they are dreading as the dog thinks that the owners seeming nervousness is signalling that the approaching dog is a threat. my own mum does this and her dog reacts to other dogs when out with her yet doesnt if shes with me or her dogwalker, ive told her to whistle or sing to herself as it relaxes her and levels her nerves and the dog does not pick up on as much. Face to face meetings can also be seen as a threat and it is much better to walk side by side or behind/in front when first introducing dogs, and body language is also important not just that of your own dog but also the dog he is about to meet, it can give a huge insight into the cause of the reaction and ultimately also the cure too. Some specific breeds and coat lengths and colours of dogs can be difficult for other dogs to 'read' as their ability to display body language can be impaired such as dogs without tails or coats so long that facial expression is impeded, or even as in the bulldog the fact that their jaw is undershot makes them appear to show teeth all of the time. Body language is an important tool in communication and is a way of your dog being able to 'tell' you what is on its mind. there are a couple of articles on our behaviour website regarding its importance if you are interested Body Language how selective breeding affects communication Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillyb3 Posted November 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 Thankyou Yes he has a long line its 30ft long and boy its fun to collect back up at times . We are not to worry about how he is with other dogs as such its more the other dog owners that worry me , if our dog wants to play rough they might not think to kindly if you know what i mean. He see dog this morning on his first walk, the dog was standing in the porch door way of his house with owner, loose, our dog was happen walking straight pass him and no barking so total him he was good boy. At this moment he is laying on our sofa, not that happy a this weather rainning and boy he hates rain, we have to push him out the door to get him to walk or wees in the garden, he makes you feel like your cruel to him . Well thanks for the help, we would ask around at our vets BUT the nurse lady who deals with problem dogs there is more of the cesar milan type as she went over there for short course so we dont really want to ask there. gillian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gremlin22 Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 My dog does the same but after a couple of nasty responses from other dogs (going for her when she barks) she has really gone backwards and now growls far more often than she doesn't. I'm gonna have to get more help for her from a behaviourist as I almost got into a fight with someone today over it. DOgs are often worse when they're on lead, particularly if the other dog is off lead, i guess the other dog has an unfair advvantage in that it can run away. Like others have said, socialising is the best bet and not just a one off, regular contact with different dogs if possible is best, just make sure the other dogs are laid back ,calm dog friendly ones with understanding owners. no don't go down the vet route, they seem to advise muzzles and drugs of one description or another..but that might just be the ones i've heard about. I am looking into trying some of the bach flower esences with my dog to see if that can help at all, maybe that's worth a look for you? it's all natural stuff and not expensive but you need to speak to someone who specialises in it for the most effective ones for your dog. good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fee Posted November 14, 2009 Report Share Posted November 14, 2009 I think a training class would be a great idea if you can find a good one in your area. It can be a great way to socialise our dog in a safe environment. There are some APDT trainers listed for Norfolk that might be worth looking at: http://www.apdt.co.uk/trainers_area.asp?area=Norfolk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillyb3 Posted November 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2009 Thankyou again for the help, I do worry about some of these training classes as i am a fuss person about my dog because we love him so much. So my next question is how do you know a good traininer?? i have just looked at the apdt traininers in norfolk and see there is one lady lives in bilney, sorry cant remember her name now but does anybody know what she is like?, sorry it does mean looking at that list to find her. We went for long walk at the weekend and past a terrier and he was fine but today we walked past the two spaniel and white terrier and he barked at them, im wondering if he thinks its them that live next door doing their nut the other side of the fence in their cage but its not they live next door but one but guess he doesnt know that. Well anybody know socialling (spelling) classes in norfolk, i dont really want to train him as such, just to stop barking and play nicely. Gillian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackmagic Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 contact any potential trainer and ask about their classes. You should be able to visit, without your dog, to check that the class is what you want. Check that the dogs and handlers are happy. If they do not agree to this, then stay away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyMalc Posted November 19, 2009 Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 I'm going to be sounding like the "one book cures all" person, but having dealt with Sparky's rather vocal/lungy expressions of what he thinks of dogs and people, I've founfd "Control Unleashed" by Leslie McDevitt a godsend. You can also look her up on youtube Teaching Sparky to 'look' at dogs has helped lots and lots. Lately I discovered that some of his insecurities come from him simply not knowing how to behave around other dogs, and needing Kiera as his back up. These days, when we see other dogs, I call Kiera to me and stay back with her, while I let Sparky go and greet dogs on his own. He's a bit of a wimp, so he usually charges towards them, then finds that he's on his own, often becomes all meek and legs it back to us He does get practice tho, how to interact with other dogs and he is getting a lot better. You say that he isn't interested in food, but are you really sure that there is absolutely nothing that can tempt him? I've got sausages and stuff that they really only get when training - also preferably before any other meal. It has to be said though, that Sparky's recall is really good, specially when I whistle him. Again, he is food orientated and I've taught him n the beginning that the whistle meant that sausages were being served! It might be good to first ensure you've got a really reliable recall before you start trying things out. Also remember that it is early days yet, it's taken me nearly a year to get with Sparky where we are now - altho I'm sure that with a more experienced handler he would have come on way faster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillyb3 Posted November 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2009 I'm going to be sounding like the "one book cures all" person, but having dealt with Sparky's rather vocal/lungy expressions of what he thinks of dogs and people, I've founfd "Control Unleashed" by Leslie McDevitt a godsend. You can also look her up on youtube Teaching Sparky to 'look' at dogs has helped lots and lots. Lately I discovered that some of his insecurities come from him simply not knowing how to behave around other dogs, and needing Kiera as his back up. These days, when we see other dogs, I call Kiera to me and stay back with her, while I let Sparky go and greet dogs on his own. He's a bit of a wimp, so he usually charges towards them, then finds that he's on his own, often becomes all meek and legs it back to us He does get practice tho, how to interact with other dogs and he is getting a lot better. You say that he isn't interested in food, but are you really sure that there is absolutely nothing that can tempt him? I've got sausages and stuff that they really only get when training - also preferably before any other meal. It has to be said though, that Sparky's recall is really good, specially when I whistle him. Again, he is food orientated and I've taught him n the beginning that the whistle meant that sausages were being served! It might be good to first ensure you've got a really reliable recall before you start trying things out. Also remember that it is early days yet, it's taken me nearly a year to get with Sparky where we are now - altho I'm sure that with a more experienced handler he would have come on way faster Thankyou for your help, we are waiting for a trainer to get back in touch with us, she seems ok, i really just would like to be put on the right lines and to know im not making him worse. We are trying the enough and then treat for being quiet. . The main thing i worry about is it us causing him to behave like this, so would like some help. gillian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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