Possible after-effects from dog interaction?

SAujla

SAujla

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I was walking my pup in a field today when two lurchers came sprinting from behind some trees, no idea where their owner was couldn't see anyone. There was no playing or fighting and they seemed friendly enough, there was just some sniffing but there was some nose-to-nose going on. The whole episode didn't last long before the lurchers flew off and Clover seemed untroubled to my amateur eye after. I wondered if there might be any after-effects for her after this, I've read sometimes its not immediate whether there is a problem, she's 4 months so still in the socialising window.

In case there is some worry in her mind I was thinking about avoiding the dog parks for next few days just to give her some walks that are calmer and see how she is when she sees another dog from a distance. I could be overthinking everything but I can't help it and its far to late to try changing that now. IMG_20200605_122128_resized_20200609_052822771.jpgIMG_20200609_145922_resized_20200609_052823285.jpg
 
Honestly, please don’t think I’m being critical because I know you are keen to do your absolute best for Clover which is fabulous, but perhaps try not overthink things too much sometimes?

She will encounter other dogs, and people, and birds/cats/kids, and strange noises, and all sorts of things when she is out and about ? I’m not saying she has to ‘man up and get on with it’ by any means but they are part of life ? This was an innocent encounter which was just a sniff, all good news and she will have stored it in her memory banks as a good thing ??
 
Thanks everyone I will just carry on as normal with one morning walk in the park and one just in the streets. I think it was more because they came from nowhere and I couldn't see the owner so I keep thinking what if it was aggressive, but it wasn't so probably a waste of time thinking about something that never happened. More of a learning experience for me I think than Clover
 
Cinnamontoast said:
It’s nice they were friendly, I understand your worry, mine was attacked as a pup and didn’t have the resilience to recover, but this was a nice interaction, it’s all good for her.
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She's always been a bit more cautious around dogs, she still is but with people she's all over them. I think reading all the replies on here made me realise I'd be doing a lot more damage if I kept her away from dogs. She met 3 yesterday and 2 today.
 
The best thing - and probably the hardest thing - that you can endeavour to do is to learn to remain calm and relaxed and matter of fact, regardless of what is kicking off. Dogs are sensitive little souls and if she realises that you are anxious she will start to think that there is indeed something to be anxious about.

To be honest, she is going to be a very lucky dog indeed if the worst thing that ever happens to her in life is two friendly strange dogs rushing up to her! :) Dogs need to develop a certain level of robustness to cope with everything that life throws at them......some have a high level of that robustness inherently (genetics) and with others you have to work on it and build it by exposing them to considered amounts of 'stress' in a structured way.
 
Sukhpreet Aujla said:
She's always been a bit more cautious around dogs, she still is but with people she's all over them. I think reading all the replies on here made me realise I'd be doing a lot more damage if I kept her away from dogs. She met 3 yesterday and 2 today.
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This is where we went wrong. We wanted to protect Zak and possibly exacerbated his issues, although 4 trainers all said he would never change and the best thing to do was to keep him and other dogs safe.

You're doing the right thing with your girl, natural interactions. The best thing (imo) is a dog neutral dog.
 
Everyone on here was 100% right I need to build her confidence up. Luckily there is a dog field near us and I aim for her to meet at least two dogs each morning (if the owners are okay with it). The first one she met she was a bit unsure but her confidence must have been up because the second one she was well up for playing with. We can get there quicker now she's decided her 'stop and sniff' policy doesn't have to be applied to everything in sight :p
 
Training classes are starting soon, well mine is in socially distanced groups of 5, would be an good environment for both of you. Try not to worry, it can be a bit of a gulp moment when two bigger dogs come hareing up especially with no owner in sight, she'll pick up on your vibe and think there's a problem and then there will be a problem.

She's is lovely. I'd just stare at her all day if she were mine!
 
Indy said:
Training classes are starting soon, well mine is in socially distanced groups of 5, would be an good environment for both of you. Try not to worry, it can be a bit of a gulp moment when two bigger dogs come hareing up especially with no owner in sight, she'll pick up on your vibe and think there's a problem and then there will be a problem.

She's is lovely. I'd just stare at her all day if she were mine!
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I'm having trouble finding any classes but I found an enclosed field to rent. I had her on a long leash in the park her recall was excellent but she didn't go far.

I'm glad people on here gave me the advice they did she's meeting loads of dogs. Met a GSD and was pawing at his face but he was very gentle.

Also she will sit and stare back no bother, 12 minutes is the longest until I needed the bathroom. Gave her a luxury treat for winning and I'm not sure who is teaching who at this point
 
There is a fine line to walk between not allowing your dog to talk to any other dog when you meet them on a walk and allowing her/him to take liberties with every dog they meet. ideally your dog needs to learn to be neutral about other dogs when walking on her lead and confident enough to play with others when told that is allowed.
 
There are two brown Labradors I meet fairly often and their owners are very helpful so I'm hoping to forge a relationship there. I definitely don't let her meet every dog though I know that would set a dangerous precedent. It is a tricky balance between not enough and too much, I tend to wait for the other owners reaction to see if they are happy for a meeting.

I'm hoping the field I've booked will loosen their restrictions when it's safer to do so, at the moment they only allow two people maximum and they have to be from the same family so meeting another dog there isn't possible.
 
Our Luna is always on lead, be it a short one if we’re road walking, or a long one if off road. (She’s a husky with massive prey drive, so cant be off lead). She would if given the chance, run up to meet everyone and every dog. I reel her in unless I’m told it’s ok. Bo, usually off lead when off road (aggressive on lead), will ignore all unless other dogs approach him. I will call him to me if we see dogs on lead, but if they are off lead, I will let him be. It is a balance, but you will get there. The times we are in are making things different. Before CV we used to see the same people and their dogs, knew where we were. Now there are lots of “strangers” about. I know you’re a new dog owner and I’m not putting you in that club. I remember all your research posts before you got clover.
 
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