A little advice needed - Paw Talk

lixx · #1 05-08-2004, 08:31 PM

I know there are exceptionally knowledgeable dog people here, so I just need some advice. Spring is here, and Dante and I are going outside more. I have noticed that he seems to be more agressive towards dogs in the distance. He barks/growels and his haunches go up. However once the dog is in sniffing range he is fine. Is this because he can't smell the other dog? How do I tell him it's ok? Thanks in advance!

Formula86 · #2 05-09-2004, 04:58 AM

you know what...my dogs do this a lot. i'm not sure, but i think it's cause when the other dog gets near, your dog knows that you see it. i think they bark at the far away ones just cause they don't think that you see it. i don't think that my dogs trust that i see the far away people/dogs. haha! i have no idea if this is true, but i think it's an interesting thought.

RSbunny · #3 05-09-2004, 07:16 AM

lixx I'm not sure why they do it but a good way to help overcome it would be to get your dog to training classes....your dog doesn't have to get involved with the sit, stay etc. just be at a distance and watch the other dogs. We run training sessions where I work and we only charge $5.00 per class for the adult dogs and we have people that just sit there with their dogs.....of course there will be other ways you can help your dog that I can't think of right now, but that is just a nice controlled way to start the behaviour change! I'm sure Linda will be here to give you great advice soon!

DirtySouthChins · #4 05-09-2004, 07:42 AM

Ours have never truly had that problem as they have always been interacted with other dogs with all our fostering. However I would say that it could be a "warning sign" basically letting the other dog or dog's know Dante is coming. I agree with RS a training class would be great, or even doggy day care, this would help him interact with other dogs more. RS you all only charge $5 per session? WOW!!! we are getting ready to enroll "Ajax" one of the foster's we kept due to his aggression problem and it is going to cost us 200 euro's for 10 session (roughly $250). That is the cheapest we could find. We are hoping this will help him, and that he would be placeable for a new home, he isn't aggressive towards people, or other people's dogs, mainly towards his brother "Beau" that we planned on keeping and towards some of the other dogs in our household. He and his brother are getting neutered this coming week, and after a little rest time, he will be enrolled for training.

Kathy74 · #5 05-09-2004, 08:59 AM

I started walking my dogs in town 2 mths ago (we're on the edge of town, so I used to walk them down a country road away from town, but they were not socialized at all.) At the beginning, Serene would growl and get hackles up any time she saw a person OR dog, and Jersey would just go crazy and start crying and jumping around. I started talking to them on the whole walk (everyone in town probably thinks I'm nuts, walking around talking to my dogs, but who cares!!) What a big change! Very soft voice "hey guys, here comes a puppy...no barks, good girls " "don't bark at the lady, we don't want to scare her..no we don't. good girls" I keep saying "good girls" very quietly, but excited until they can't see the person or dog anymore. Jersey still cries if another dog barks at us, but keeps walking normally, and the soft voice keeps her from getting too upset. Once they hear my voice and know I'm calm and not scared, they're fine.

RSbunny · #6 05-09-2004, 05:27 PM

Kim yes it is only $5.00 a lesson but that is with us only, everyone else charges through the roof!!! I'm not quite sure why we do it so cheap for! I think it's because the nurse that actually does the classes would prefer to see people with not much money still be able to train their dog. And they only do the basic sit, stay drop, heel commands too, anything fancy you go elsewhere. I'm taking Biscuit elsewhere cause I want her to know more than the average dog and I'm paying $80 for five lessons.
The $5.00 classes we have are great for dogs with no socialization skills, I mean everyone can afford $5.00 to have their dog sit and watch other dogs interact with each other!

Deja · #7 05-09-2004, 08:27 PM

I think the key here, like any behavior, is the dog *must* know you are in charge and in control at all times. If he's barking at something off in the distance you should have enough control over him to quiet him down, relax him and put him at ease.

I agree with everyone else, proper socialization is so important. Classes are a great way to socialize a dog in a controlled atmosphere.

My dogs (or other dogs I have trained) don't bark when they are on the leash because the leash means *I* am in control and they take all their cues from me. They *will* bark in the yard, or run to the doors barking if someone pulls into the driveway or walks up onto my deck. (They go bonkers when deer walk through my yard

) I don't like when they do this so I take control right away and "quiet" them. Once they know that I am aware, in control and have assumed the leadership position they once again take their cues from me.

You can start working with your dog by giving him the "sit" command to distract him from barking every time he does. Once he's obeyed you can praise him for sitting *and* for being quiet. This will begin to lay a foundation of trust and leadership on your part, and will also lay the foundation for teaching him the "quiet" or "no bark" command. (You need to find easy words that work for you and be consistant).

My opinion is that weather the dog's display is friendly or not isn't the point here, it's that you question the behavior. If it's a behavior you want to eliminate there are ways to do it

lixx · #8 05-10-2004, 11:42 AM

Thanks guys for your advice. Up until now I have not had a way to get to puppy classes as I had no vehicle. Now I'm just so busy, I don't know if I will have time, but once I am back to 5 day weeks I will definatly look into it. I've always wanted to do agility with him, so I need to get the socailization done. He's very good in the appartment, but outside he always seems a little distracted. When we go to the dog park he is *fussing* all the way to the gate ( I try the 'stop, wait for him to calm down, then take the next step'-it's taken 30mins to do a 30sec walk sometimes) but once we are through the gate he is fine. Happy tail wagging). Is there more then the sit & quite I can do? Or is it really just the classes that I need?

Deja · #9 05-10-2004, 01:46 PM

There is an awful lot you can do on your own

Classes would be great, but until you can figure out a way to do that...

Go to the "Stuck" topics at the top of this section ... read and print out all the "stuck topic threads" there - the information can help guide you and put you in the right direction as far as training, crate training, obedience training. Go through all the threads in this section too...
I know it's tons of reading but between all of us some really great topics and advice has been bounced around and lots of problems solved. I think you'll find a tremendous amount of information to roll around in your head.
You need to decide what behaviors you do and don't want your dog to display. Set small goals and work from there.
Everyone here is so helpful, it's an awesome place to stay tuned to for help and guidance!

Good Luck, I am sure we can all put our heads together and come up with a plan for you!