Can you make a dog less wimpy/manage dog based anxiety better?

vallin

vallin

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Given the current lockdown situation there are, unsurprisingly, even more eejits walking their dogs on the estate. At the moment we have a particular problem with a Rhodesian Ridgeback with no recall and classic 'he's only being friendly' owners. Unfortunately, being a Ridgeback, even when being friendly he is a big, loud dog that scares the bejeesus put of Daisy ? Apart from trying our best to avoid the dog, is there anything we can to help Daisy be less scared when he come barrelling up to/into her? (Her instinctive reaction is to sit down and shut down, especially if on a lead, or pelt away as quickly as possible if not, though she will recall to us in this situation)
Thanks
V
Ps. Despite being a very boisterous pup and happy clambering in rather precarious locations she is generally a bit of a wimp and has been known to hide under the bed in the most ridiculous situations ??
 
You could try explaining to the ridgeback's owners how your dog is getting more and more scared and how unfair it is on you and her to have what should be a happy relaxing time spoilt by their dog's 'friendliness'. From experience it can go either way, best of luck if you try that. Or you could turn into an outraged dog owner and blast them for being inconsiderate ignorant idiots. Your dog should not be subjected to a large charging dog's antics and is showing a great deal of normal preservation instinct. It is not wimpy to want to avoid being squashed or worse. You could carry a walking stick and hold it as a barrier between the charging dog and yours. Or you could be supremely confident, extend a commanding hand towards the dog and yell: "sit!" while looking extremely threatening. I have known the last option to work. The alternative is your dog getting scared enough to become reactive or a quivering jelly, not desirable outcomes but totally normal if this keeps happening.
 
Step up...be an advocate for your dog and put her behind you and confidently body block him.
At the moment she is feeling vulnerable and that she needs to escape. She needs to believe that you have things under control and that you will take care of it.

I wouldn't roar at the other dog if she is already nervous but do calmly/firmly intervene if he is being a knob.

Re socialisation, on lead/under control is fine, but. I wouldn't let her tear arse around with other big dogs as she may get splatted with alarming regularity if this is her disposition.
 
Don't allow this to keep happening, you will potentially end up with a fear aggressive dog if this continues.
Speak to the other owner if possible or road walk your dog to avoid this happening, you have to have your dogs back (so to speak) we put them on leads and in smallish areas forcing them to be exposed to situations they would avoid and we as owners need to do our best to keep them out of harmful or fearful situations.
Good luck
 
My Daisy is a very confident little dog. But her reaction to large over boisterous dogs is the same as your Daisy.

Unsurprisingly I have no problem in yelling at other owners if they won’t control their dogs - and will go as far as grabbing said dog and either returning it or waiting for owner to catch up.

I will absolutely not tolerate rude dogs jumping all over mine.

So, this is not a Daisy problem, but a rude dog problem, and I absolutely agree that you need to be her advocate xxx

A loud voice and resting bitch face can work wonders xxx
 
I'm usually a very polite, fairly reserved person but if this were happening to me and my dogs on a regular basis by the same dog, I would definitely be having words with the RR owner. It is supremely unfair for their dog to be allowed to harrass and terrify yours under the guise of "friendliness". I'd carry a stick and block the RR's advances while keeping Daisy behind you, or alternatively walk in a different area from the RR and avoid it happening altogether.
 
Thanks all, believe me, I will be having words with the owner the next time I see them (yesterday she was out with my husband). Daisy has confidence in us and will always recall to us in these situations (after her initial zoom off) it's just trying to avoid her becoming less and less confident around other dogs. I guess it's just a white marble/black marble situation and for every negative encounter I need to try and create more positive ones. Canicross had always been great for that but obviously not happening at the moment.
 
Mine is sometimes nervous of bigger dogs. If it’s not a dog mine is familiar with I’d say in a loud cheery voice “who’s this coming!” and she’s normally then happier to meet because I’ve made the situation jolly and am pleased to see the dog. In the situation above where she’s already scared, absolutely put yourself between the dog and yours, but don’t show any stress yourself. Your dog needs to know you’ve got the situation under control.
 
I went ballistic at an owner whose dog was not friendly and always harassed one of my dogs. I threatened her with being reported to the dog warden finally and she made a big effort to avoid us after that. I admit, I really bloody lost it with her. You need to protect yours, you’re her only line of defence. Don’t let it happen, walk at a different time or place if necessary. I doubt there’s much point in talking to the owner if it happens all the time, they won’t listen or care and as they’re already allowing it, probably haven’t got control of the dog anyway.

There should definitely be a test to see if people are decent owners!
 
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