"My dog doesn't like other dogs"

tk123

Question - if you have a dog from the time it was a puppy, have socialised it correctly and it has never had a bad experience with other dogs can it just not like other dogs ? This isn't about either of my two btw..

Nody

Yes; it's all down to individuals personality. By proper socialization reduces/removes their fear but that does not mean they like them (or insert other person/animal/action type).

aonb

YES! My youngest dog is turning into a total NIGHTMARE with other dogs.
He is a bit stressy/anxious personality. When other dogs come to his house he is a total pain/pest and has to be put into another room. He is not so bad with bitches. When we are out walking (very quiet rural area) he lies down if a dog is approaching, then starts barking/growling and has to be dragged past (usually with the other dog barking back - naturally)

He used to LOVE playing with other dogs.
Loved to meet new dogs. Everyone was his friend!
Never had a bad experience with another dog.

He is ok with a few dogs he knows, but now, anyone he doesnt know, forget it!

minipink

Luckily Lola loves other dogs but she has an anxious submissive personality - very sensitive to tones of voice, loud bangs etc despite being exposed to everything (I was at pains to expose her to everything as a puppy and get her used to things) funnily when she's with other dogs (I mind my dads 2 sometimes) she looks at them when there's a noise and if they don't react she's fine and continues tail wagging usually the tail would be down and she would be looking for the nearest small area to hide in!
So reactions to other dogs could be a nature rather than a nurture thing in some cases.

yr one

Have you tried training with him?? They feed off of our emotions too and if your nervous brining him out then he will sense that.

I tried training with both my dogs, one was 11 and she was fine until she got jumped in the park by 2 big dogs, now she wants to kill everything she sees, that was last summer and I think her eyesight is a part of this as she doesn't see the dogs coming till they're close then she gets a fright.

The training helped very well though, she's gotten better, but isn't the same, she will still start on other dogs, it's like she's trying to get them before they get her


I would try a behaviourist or a trainer and they should be able to see why your dog is reacting the way he is, something is triggering it

fatmammycat

My 2 year old GSD is not a dog dog, so to speak (he loves lurchers, and has a number of high energy friends he likes but he wouldn't like every dog he meets). He's not aggressive, but he's intact and full of beans and he's not overly interested in being friendly to dogs. We do 90 mins off-lead work every morning where we meet loads of dogs, and a simple 'go wide' command has changed his life (I throw something to reward his compliance). With this, he has a job to do, and because of this he is never aggressive with other dogs, and will happily ignore dog barking within inches of his face. It mean that whenever we're out he's focused on me, and not other dogs, and this means everyone is happy. Best of luck.

minipink

Your poor dog yr one, it's hard to see your dog getting old and even worse when they're having a hard time because of it.
Behaviourists are great, if you get the right one. My friend has spent thousands on her dogs aggression issues with little success.
I can't imagine having a dog who has aggression issues, people pet my dog so much when we are out (mostly without asking) and she loves it but having to stop someone from saying hello or worrying if we will meet a dog walking must be a nightmare.
We have two very aggressive dogs on our road that try to burst through their fence and reach under their gate snarling and crazily barking when we pass, Lola has taken the ignore them approach and wags her tail happily as she passes it's so funny!

AlanS181824

My Ali has always had interactions with other dogs, family bring their dogs over for Christmas, doggie play dates etc.

But lately whenever I'm on a walk with her and another dog comes over to us she totally freaks out, she will literally jump into mid air or hop into my arms to get away.

She was neutered 20/2 so maybe that has something to do with it?

Apologies OP for hijacking your thread a little :P

yr one

minipink wrote: »

Your poor dog yr one, it's hard to see your dog getting old and even worse when they're having a hard time because of it.

She's not too bad now, she will tolerate pups, but cause she tore the cruciate ligament in her hind leg she won't let them jump all over her

I've 2 dogs and both have been attacked in the same park, if you read my posts it's in the one for corkagh park.

The two of them are fine when they're with mellow dogs, but when something hyper comes up the older dog goes into protective mode, especially if the 2 year old dog is with us

I had both of them at training, it has for me made a difference, but to be honest it's me changing my attitude too. I don't go to the park worried about how she will react and if they will get hurt, they're both about 1foot tall so they're not giants

Op depends on where you are located but if your near Dublin? There are two places which would be highly recommended, it would be wonder paws at festina Lente in bray, the other would be in blanchardstown called dog training Ireland

tk123

yr one wrote: »

the other would be in blanchardstown called dog training Ireland

They're closed.. Positive Dog Training in Sandyford are fantastic. I've used both and find PDT better. Better atmosphere/facilities and staff etc.

Anwyay the reason I asked is that we seem to spend more and more of our time in the mornings avoiding or being barked at by narky dogs who IMO have not been socialised correctly - dogs that were never allowed stop and play but dragged on to walk/run with their owners as pups. Coddled when they bark and snap at other dogs and then the excuse "they don't like other dogs". I think it's annoying me more now that Lucy has grown a bit and is becoming a target for them to bark at?
One person in particular gave out to me because she wanted to pass us with her little angel who was off lead..and wanted me to call my dogs out of the RIVER where they were bobbing for treats - she was on the opposite side to me lol !:P:rolleyes:

aonb

I think its DEFINATELY a case of nature. My youngest dog, as he matures is anxious/stressy/worried, he would never attack a dog but is aggressive-sounding because he is so worried (try telling that to other owners!) His sister is an anxious dog too, his mother & uncle are very chilled (go figure) He is the most loved dog in Ireland never shouted at in his life - we are fairly savvy/relaxed owners I like to think(!), he has been trained since day 1 (and was pretty well socialized as a young dog)

I like the 'go wide' command! (though on our narrow little roads that wont work )

we dont go anywhere now where there are masses of dogs (used to go to the racecourse - dog heaven!) I have also stopped vaccinating them so dont bring them to town/parks etc. Its a dilemma really - poor little chap, he is so loveable, and LOVES going for walks with his pack of girlfriends (bitches) through their fields!

yr one

aonb wrote: »

I think its DEFINATELY a case of nature. My youngest dog, as he matures is anxious/stressy/worried, he would never attack a dog but is aggressive-sounding because he is so worried (try telling that to other owners!) His sister is an anxious dog too, his mother & uncle are very chilled (go figure) He is the most loved dog in Ireland never shouted at in his life - we are fairly savvy/relaxed owners I like to think(!), he has been trained since day 1 (and was pretty well socialized as a young dog)

I like the 'go wide' command! (though on our narrow little roads that wont work )

we dont go anywhere now where there are masses of dogs (used to go to the racecourse - dog heaven!) I have also stopped vaccinating them so dont bring them to town/parks etc. Its a dilemma really - poor little chap, he is so loveable, and LOVES going for walks with his pack of girlfriends (bitches) through their fields!

Why did you stop vaccinating them??

aonb

Stopped vaccinating them because of things I have read while researching the necessity for vaccines. Plus one of my dogs is very elderly and the vaccines were causing him problems. Plus my trusted (since retired) vet suggested that a dog, after several annual vaccinations (for some diseases) is immune for life and doesnt need life-long vaccines. Plus since-deceased dog could not be brought in car (rescue). Plus my dogs live in a v.rural area, I dont bring them to town or mix with other dogs much any more. So lots of reasons!

Suits me and my dogs, but I am absolutely not suggesting stopping vaccinating for anyone elses dog - specially those who live in areas where they come into contact with other dogs.

SingItOut

I think it's a case of individual personality, mixed in with some breed traits and upbringing. Moone, my terrier gets on fine with other calm dogs, if any hyper/rough dogs approach her she will "correct" them with a growl and stiffen up. She'll then dislike that dog until it or we leave. It's shocking how many times I have to tell people to not let their dog jump all over her, she's only little and doesn't like it. She would have had a lot of socialisation as a puppy and adult, she was small enough to come into shops with me and on the train/bus regularly.

Alli is only 10 months old and spent nearly a month in the pound with her brothers and sisters when she was only 6 weeks old. After that she spent 4 months in foster care. She gets along fine with other dogs, being half springer spaniel she is really bouncy but is always very respectful of other dogs space. I still ask other owners to ask before approaching as I don't want her to have a bad experience. She's already terrified of going In The car but we're working on that. She's been to training classes but I pulled her out as a lot of the dogs there were quite aggressive towards her and other dogs.

Mark.Smith90

<snip>
See my post below.

tk123

Mark.Smith90 wrote: »

<snip>

Thanks Karen (Pryor) - great to see you posting on boards - some of us are fans of your work.:p
http://www.clickertraining.com/node/3953

DBB

Mark.smith90, you have posted more than once using material and direct quoting from other authors, without crediting the authors. This is a breach of copyright and is very serious.
Do not do this again. The mods will be watching your posts from hereon in to monitor this potentially liability you're bringing both on boards and yourself.
Do not reply to this post on thread.
Thanks,
DBB

Hank Scorpio

My lab tries to bites small dogs if she gets the chance (shes attacked some dogs before). Its strange, had her 13 years and shes never even come close to biting one of us or any human. There's a stray cat outside we've been feeding lately and she doesn't even take notice of it. Go figure