I need a dog owner w/ small dog(s)

deaddonkey

i am sick to death of my 2 year old german shepherd bitch barking and growling at dogs she doesn't know when she meets them.
it's entirely unpredictable - sometimes she's fine and sometimes she's an absolute cow, but i can't trust her about other dogs anymore, and i'm not happy about it, and she's going to get herself a nasty reputation, and i don't need that. generally worse with other bitches, but not always.

so i need someone patient and understanding (in northside dublin, preferably) with a smallish calm and good natured dog, that can spare a bit of time with their dog(s) and mine, to help mags get used to other dogs calmly and understand aggressive behaviour isn't needed from her, nor is it acceptable

any takers?

she won't bite your dog (she's never bitten anyone/any other dog), just bark a few times when they first meet.

she's very good natured with dogs she knows and strangers, but unfamiliar dogs turn her into the kind of dog that give shepherds a bad reputation.

if anyone has any advice, post it please
i'm reluctant to slap her, i don't like doing that at all.
but if a few good slaps will sort her out, then my conscience can live with this.

thanks.

Dyr

Ive a small dog (and a ginormous one) on the northside but i dont think their temperament would be right. They're okay with bitches but the little fella is very hostile to any dog that shows aggression

TBH I think most dog agression is because they're on leads and not able to investigate other dogs on their own terms, they become frustrated and feel vulnerable by being restrained. The sad thing about owning a dog like a GS is you just cant let them off in public anymore

~Thalia~

deaddonkey wrote:

i am sick to death of my 2 year old german shepherd bitch barking and growling at dogs she doesn't know when she meets them.
it's entirely unpredictable - sometimes she's fine and sometimes she's an absolute cow, but i can't trust her about other dogs anymore, and i'm not happy about it, and she's going to get herself a nasty reputation, and i don't need that. generally worse with other bitches, but not always.

so i need someone patient and understanding (in northside dublin, preferably) with a smallish calm and good natured dog, that can spare a bit of time with their dog(s) and mine, to help mags get used to other dogs calmly and understand aggressive behaviour isn't needed from her, nor is it acceptable

any takers?

she won't bite your dog (she's never bitten anyone/any other dog), just bark a few times when they first meet.

she's very good natured with dogs she knows and strangers, but unfamiliar dogs turn her into the kind of dog that give shepherds a bad reputation.

if anyone has any advice, post it please
i'm reluctant to slap her, i don't like doing that at all.
but if a few good slaps will sort her out, then my conscience can live with this.

thanks.

Mine does this too, with her it's just curiosity and she wants to get closer to the other dog and sniff and say hello, it's not an agression thing at all but that is how it appears and it's a pain in the arse walking her where there are othe people walking their dogs so I mostly bring places where there aren't that many dogs and people. She is well socialised with other dogs but she has not yet learned how to just ignore them when she sees them in the distance. THe ears go up, the mouth opens and she looks very scary! I am hoping that she will learn to ignore other dogs as she gets a bit older.

peasant

I think it's a very good idea to get some training going and hope you find a suitable volunteer.

A lot of this behaviour also has to do with what happens on the other end of the lead.

Dogs are extremely sensitive to our emotions and pick up on them very well. As your dog now has a bit of a "history" when it comes to meeting other dogs, it is quite likely that you tension up when you see another dog coming, wondering "will she act the maggot this time?"

This tension transfers down the lead, your dog senses that there is something to worry about ...and then, of course, she starts barking and acting up:D

So, while training your dog, take great care in training yourself to stay calm and relaxed.

Ommmmm

SuzyS1972

I can recommend
www.dogtrainingireland.ie

Based in St Margarets on the Northside they are very good and are having an agressive dog seminar this weekend.