Meeting other dogs advice

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parsley

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The dog we have taken on is good with quiet dogs that we meet on walks but with anything that bounces up to him he starts barking, growling and snapping. This was quite a problem today on the beach as lots of people had their dogs off the lead, which meant that they raced up to him followed by lots of doggy shouting. In the end I picked him up when one came near as he seems quite upset by it. However, I can't help wondering if I am doing the wrong thing. Apart from asking the person whose dog it is to come and get it how should I handle my dog? (He is a medium size 16 kg corgie cross btw).

Thanks if anyone can offer advice.
 
Shout at those who's dogs are running up to him for a start... then just take him out for lots and lots of walks (ideally with a doggy companion), best thing I found for our dogs that were a bit timid as youngsters, now they're coming.
 
Alot of dogs have lead based aggression, and I don't blame them in these scenarios, she is not sure of their intentions and if bounding on over their in a more reactive/dominant stance so she is going on the offence/protective mode, I personally would say "call your bloody dog back u ignoramous"
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it's rather ignorant of people to allow their dogs to come charging up to yours like this, my dogs are friendly, but I still would not be happy if dogs came charging up to them, which does not happen often cos I have an Akita, it's enough for any owner to make a grab for their dog
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You could try a treat based positive distraction-chicken/cheese. something she never gets it's just for this purpose as a positive distraction, get her attention by allowing her to sniff and only offer small amounts as the dog approaches, ask her to sit and watch u, to take her attention away from the dog, but try this at home first without a distraction, jsut with her loose in the garden, and slip some command in for her to assosiate with the routine.
Try not to get aprehensive and grapple with her lead, be calm, and don't be afraid to check her and tell her to "LEAVE IT", which is all I do when an agressive/reactive dog approaches mine, and they know by the change in tone of my voice.
Allowing her a chance to get some off lead interaction-dog/socialisation classes.
I would not resort to picking her up, this will only highten her aggression and the whole sceanrio, and make her more of a target for dogs to jump up at you to get to her.
But still, it's pretty hard, when other dog owners are so irresponsible
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Ok, thank you for the advice. I was wondering if I was adding to the problem and I think I probably am. He is almost completely deaf so we will have to work on sign language leave it, but I'm sure its possible!
 
Hi, i have spent a good 7 years training my Springer and helping out at dog training classes from experience so i will give you my dogs case history and experience....

My Springer has never been a fan of other dogs, nothing really nasty just a few growls and a snap if the other dog doesn't listen. If the other dog still doesn't listen she will look at me for confirmation as "what to do next?". In which case i will call her back or just walk off indicating that we are leaving and do not want a fight.
I have not always let her do this, i used to put her on the lead/ grab her collar (bit big to pick up!) but it made it so much worse. She then thought she had to protect me and would really try and get at the other dog.
So now if i see another dog coming in our direction even if its bounding i ignore it and walk off calmly.

One thing i have learnt about dog psychology is the more stressed you are over the situation the more they will be.

It must make it harder if your dog is deaf though...Cala's recommendations of dog classes is a good idea especially for controlled socialising.

Hope that helps somehow!
 
Can't really add much more to what has already been suggested here but if your dog is almost deaf then its even more reason to take something out with you that smells strongly - some whiffy cheese, tasty chicken or anything really that your dog enjoys. That way you can use her nose to distract her from the "problem". She'll naturally focus on her nose to start with, even if she soon forgets about the tasty smell and focuses on the "threat" again. Aim of the game is to get her to focus more and more on the food and less and less on the other dog(s).

Has she ever managed to actually snap/bite at another dog? If not, it could be worth letter her off lead with some dogs you know won't pose a threat - do you know anyone with an old dog that is as docile as they come, for example?

If so and the off-lead sessions (even if its just in your garden or house) are a success, try her on the lead again in the presence of this docile dog. See how she gets on then - you might get a better idea over whether its lead related or just a general dislike/fear.

I would definitely recommend getting in touch with a local trainer as if nothing else they might have a suitable dog or two to start introducing your dog to.

If you have no luck finding a docile dog then it might be worthwhile investing in a baskerville muzzle. It may sound harsh but hear me out..... you get stressed when another dog approaches as you know it'll set your dog off growling and snapping. Instinctively, you won't want your dog to get hurt and equally you'll be hoping she won't snap/bite the other dog. Muzzles take the stress out of the situation which eventually lead the desired effect - a calmer, less stressed out handler - equals a calmer, less stressed out dog.

Good luck!
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I actually helped my boisterous dog become dog aggressive - he sensed my panic when another dog approached (I panicked because being a responsible GSD owner, and because he is massive, I wanted him close to me, on a lead, not roaming around and not screaming in excitement, which he was doing when he saw another dog)
he translated this, me getting anxious and gathering up his lead as a fear of other dogs and he began to become aggressive and protective of me.

I have had to do a lot of training and seek a lot of advice to try and reverse this, which is much harder now that he is twice the size he used to be, I think the advice here already is fab.

Above all try and remain calm and not make a big deal of other dogs being in the vicinity, it can be done, we are making great progress, but I feel for you, the beach is a bit of an issue for us still with dogs bouncing up to us.
 
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