Dogs and Horses

[T1NKABELL]

Hi
I have a 10 month old Doberman/border collie mix and we have a slight problem with meeting horses when on walks.

He is fine with horses in the fields and will just sit and watch (on the lead just incase) The problem is when there is someone on board, he lunges at them, growls and barks and then as they get closer he barks but his tail is wagging and he's excited like he is meeting another dog, and im scared incase we ever meet one while he's off the lead.

Most horse riders ive come across have been fine and waited for me to get to somewhere we can pass safely but i know im going to come across one one day thet may not stop or will have no choice to pass on a narrow lane.

I have tried to distract him with treats and get him to sit but he still just barks at them and tries to lunge towards them.

Does anyone have any ideas how i can get him used to meeting horses and stop the lunging and barking

Thanks in advance

 

[Spudlet]

Rather than getting him to sit, keep him moving, either away from the horses or past them if it's safe to do so. Do you know anyone with a dog-safe horse that you could arrange to meet out on walks on a fairly regular basis to get him used to this?

Also, work on your 'watch' command, when you are away from distractions initially, to get him focussed in on you. You can then practice this in a variety of situations, for example, take him to sit near to playgrounds on sunny days - the children will make distracting noise, get him to focus on you, reward him when he does, and if he doesn't move him away from the noise and get his focus back on you then move closer in. You may find handfeeding to be of use also.

When you see horses in fields, get his focus on you again and reward him. You want him to learn that if he looks at you instead of the horses, he will earn a rich reward.

This is something a good trainer will be able to help you with

 

[Foxhunter49]

I agree that he needs training.
I am not one for using food as a bribe and by distracting him with food you are rewarding unwanted behaviour.
When a horse is approaching make him concentrate on you. If he looks at the horse correct with the leash and voice and MAKE in realise that you will not tolerate him being so rude.

 

[CAYLA]

I agree re the "pass swiftly" in a calm manor, or as calm as you can be.
To introduce a distraction is best done when you are not actually faced with the scenario, so at home would be good, with a aid, like a clicker if you like
I also advised a HHO'er lately that was having similar issues to get on a bike and get the dog moving past and yourself without so much focus (as your focus also becomes an issue), and your anxiousness, a bike will take that all away, it has so far worked wonders with the said person.

 

[Cassiethecob]

Carry a water spray, like you can buy for misting plants, fill it with water and a couple of drops of lemon juice, keep walking past the horse, but if he starts spray him in the face, say nothing and carry on walking. Don't be mislead by a wagging tail it means a dog is enjoying himself rather than being friendly, there is a BIG difference! Make sure you have him on a lead & collar which gives you full control, not a harness. If/when he can walk by ignoring the horse then he can be praised. Finally take a tip from me, I never ever let my dogs loose in a public place unless I have a couple of miles all round vision and the ability to get them back easily - it is just not worth it. My horse and I were recently chased by 4 loose golden retrievers who jumped out of a garden as we passed by. I was nearly killed and she will not go down that lane again to this day the ignorant owners do not know but I can see a child on a pony falling victim here.

 

[galaxy]

I agree re the "pass swiftly" in a calm manor, or as calm as you can be.
To introduce a distraction is best done when you are not actually faced with the scenario, so at home would be good, with a aid, like a clicker if you like
I also advised a HHO'er lately that was having similar issues to get on a bike and get the dog moving past and yourself without so much focus (as your focus also becomes an issue), and your anxiousness, a bike will take that all away, it has so far worked wonders with the said person.

That would be me and it certainly had! My boy dislikes people without dogs and bikes!!

I started cycling with him (on a lead) a few weeks ago and now while cycling he doesn't even look at anything else, he's focused forwards. Then on a normal walk over the weekend (granted it was the end, so he wasn't full of beans) several walkers without dogs appeared and he totally ignored them! Massive success!

Being 10 months he may be young to be cycling with??

I also did focus training. Having a yummy treat and showing him it and then holding it by my face while saying "look". when he looks he gets the treat. You are then rewarding the good behaviour.