Well, she ain't quite as smelly now, but she's met another dog (my friend's) for the first time, and she was unbelievably vicious!!!!! We couldn't believe it, cos she's so sweet and docile at home! She also snarls and growls at her reflection in the window/cooker/tv!!!!
Anybody got any words of comfort/advice? Will the little (and she is very little) madam get more sociable??
Remember my smelly dog
Moderators: KG Steve, Chantal, Tigger, peter, Chief Spud
She'll probably stay that way unless you have her spayed or train her. We had a gorgeous collie who was gentle and friendly with all our family and anyone who came into the house, but with other dogs she was a terror. Fights! She had some classics - sent an alsation off whimpering because he had the audacity to approach us growling. The worst was with another collie bitch because that was so evenly matched, but fortunately the other collie attacked first so I didn't feel embarrassed about that one. The most embarrassing sorties were with puppies because she felt a need to turn all puppies over onto their backs. Then she'd walk off.I expect dog experts would tell us this was typical collie bitch behaviour. We just had to deal with it and try and avoid it.
Mazmezroz
Your dog is taking control of the situation when it meets other dogs, which means that it thinks it is the Alpha female (in charge of the pack!) You will need to assert YOUR authority in these situations, by making your dog sit by your side and telling your dog to LEAVE other dogs alone.
You should also train your dogs NOT to play with other dogs, people or children. Many people think it is cute when their puppies play with other people's dogs and children, but it is a both bothersome to other people who may have a nervous or unfriendly dog or child and positively dangerous when a fully grown dog (no matter how friendly) goes charging up to toddlers, disable and frail people, not to mention the possibility of self harm when the dog goes chasing off to play, but ends up under a car.
I have 3 dogs, the eldest (17) resents any attempt to play and will yelp down the ear of any dog who has the audacity to come upto her, the next dog (6) is frightened of strangers and will come running back to me for protection and the final dog was a rescue and will play with anyone and everything and unfortunately has to be kept on a lead because of this.
You should be able to train your dog to stop attacking and a good dog trainer should be able to show you how. I took my 'scared' dog to training classes to socialise her more. She was forced to stay in a room with 6 or more dogs all lined up in a row in the down position for 10 minute while the owners left the room. On one occassion the next dog to her was actually lying on her tail...she looked as if she was going to burst into tears she was so frightened, but she stayed still until called!
Remember a dog should be a pet NOT a pest!
Vivianne
Your dog is taking control of the situation when it meets other dogs, which means that it thinks it is the Alpha female (in charge of the pack!) You will need to assert YOUR authority in these situations, by making your dog sit by your side and telling your dog to LEAVE other dogs alone.
You should also train your dogs NOT to play with other dogs, people or children. Many people think it is cute when their puppies play with other people's dogs and children, but it is a both bothersome to other people who may have a nervous or unfriendly dog or child and positively dangerous when a fully grown dog (no matter how friendly) goes charging up to toddlers, disable and frail people, not to mention the possibility of self harm when the dog goes chasing off to play, but ends up under a car.
I have 3 dogs, the eldest (17) resents any attempt to play and will yelp down the ear of any dog who has the audacity to come upto her, the next dog (6) is frightened of strangers and will come running back to me for protection and the final dog was a rescue and will play with anyone and everything and unfortunately has to be kept on a lead because of this.
You should be able to train your dog to stop attacking and a good dog trainer should be able to show you how. I took my 'scared' dog to training classes to socialise her more. She was forced to stay in a room with 6 or more dogs all lined up in a row in the down position for 10 minute while the owners left the room. On one occassion the next dog to her was actually lying on her tail...she looked as if she was going to burst into tears she was so frightened, but she stayed still until called!
Remember a dog should be a pet NOT a pest!
Vivianne
Our vet runs weekly socialisation classes for dogs and is very keen that dogs should learn to play with other dogs. The classes start off with dogs plus owners, then the owners are asked to include any children and eventually the training extends to meeting some other animals too - particularly horses. Finally they learn about bicycles and cyclists, wheelchairs, pushchairs, anything that's out and about.
Of course - it's us dog owners that are trained as much as the dogs are.
My neighbouring farmer sends his working Collie down to us once a day for his play break. Depending on the time of day and the weather, he'll either go to look for our Brittany in the workshop, the garden or the tunnels, or knock on the front door of the house. They charge about the place like motorbikes, swim in the stream and generally enjoy themselves for 5 minutes and then the Collie goes back to his farm and off to work again, whilst our's resumes whatever was holding her interest when play started. In the same hour, the Brittany will sit sedately by mother-in-law in her wheelchair, allowing her to poke and prod her as she feels fit (m-in-law is blind and has dementia), or she'll walk off lead with a neighbour pushing a baby in a pram with a toddler alongside.
A well trained dog is one who knows the rules, obeys consistent commands, but retains their personality and enthusiasm for life. Bit like most of us!
Of course - it's us dog owners that are trained as much as the dogs are.
My neighbouring farmer sends his working Collie down to us once a day for his play break. Depending on the time of day and the weather, he'll either go to look for our Brittany in the workshop, the garden or the tunnels, or knock on the front door of the house. They charge about the place like motorbikes, swim in the stream and generally enjoy themselves for 5 minutes and then the Collie goes back to his farm and off to work again, whilst our's resumes whatever was holding her interest when play started. In the same hour, the Brittany will sit sedately by mother-in-law in her wheelchair, allowing her to poke and prod her as she feels fit (m-in-law is blind and has dementia), or she'll walk off lead with a neighbour pushing a baby in a pram with a toddler alongside.
A well trained dog is one who knows the rules, obeys consistent commands, but retains their personality and enthusiasm for life. Bit like most of us!
-
ferret
I don't know if this will help but our rescue patterdale terrier Three months out of recue would attack any dog that came near until last week when she one day relaxed and now plays with any dog.We think she was insecure with us until she finally realized that we were not going to choose another dog and sen her back,this may be the case with yours,good luck,ferret
Our Chiefie plays with anyone. If I see another dog on a lead, Chiefie goes on his. Then a bit of chat with the owner and they're normally playing after a few minutes.
He doesn't like bull mastiffs though. He hates them and runs away.
He has a large circle of friends in teh park, Lucy, Oscar, Ebony, Our Kev (names cos he's one of the family)Leo, Bruno, Stan, Ollie etc.
To me, a dog is a pack animal and needs to be with his kind. Any sign of trouble though, and he's straight on his lead and away.
He doesn't like bull mastiffs though. He hates them and runs away.
He has a large circle of friends in teh park, Lucy, Oscar, Ebony, Our Kev (names cos he's one of the family)Leo, Bruno, Stan, Ollie etc.
To me, a dog is a pack animal and needs to be with his kind. Any sign of trouble though, and he's straight on his lead and away.
Lots of love
Lizzie
Lizzie
So good to hear all your advice!! Thank you!!
I have contacted the dog's trust she came from and they have offered us some one-to-one training on Monday, so will certainly take it up.
They have advised us not to walk her for the meantime, and she is confined to our garden. It has all been very stressful for us - and no doubt for poor little doggie Lizzie too!!!
Have been slightly worried by the level of concern expressed by the Dog's Trust who have said that she may need intensive one-to-one training for several months. My OH works at home, but does just that, works, and I work full time, so bit worried about the intensity of training required.
Ah well, let's keep our fingers crossed!!!
I have contacted the dog's trust she came from and they have offered us some one-to-one training on Monday, so will certainly take it up.
They have advised us not to walk her for the meantime, and she is confined to our garden. It has all been very stressful for us - and no doubt for poor little doggie Lizzie too!!!
Have been slightly worried by the level of concern expressed by the Dog's Trust who have said that she may need intensive one-to-one training for several months. My OH works at home, but does just that, works, and I work full time, so bit worried about the intensity of training required.
Ah well, let's keep our fingers crossed!!!
My OH works at home too. He would be the first to say he has to work, then dog sit, then do the housework, load the washing machine and the dishwasher, then do the cooking, then anything else I've left him to do on a list. It's a hard life.
Does this resemble a dog?
Good job the dog thinks otherwise.
Does this resemble a dog?
Good job the dog thinks otherwise.