Cross Breeds

How do I get my dog to behave around other dogs?

My dog is a nightmare with other dogs when walking, we don't take him off his lead as he would be uncontrollable, he shakes when he sees them then barks and lunges for them when they get close. Occasionally he's ok for a few seconds but then he'll start to growl. He's been like this since he was attacked by a staff as a pup (he's 2 now). He's fine with my sisters dog after many hours of getting him used to her but she lives on the other side of the country and none of my friends have dogs I can train him with. I actually don't walk him on my own now becuase of it as I can't calm him down. My partner can, and he does see him as the alpha male and obeys what he says....expect when it comes to other dogs! He has an extendable lead but when we go to the park it doesn't help as other dogs still approach us.

Public Comments

1. dog obedience school will be an excellent place for socialization
2. get a big stick
3. You have to see a trainer and attend socialisation classes. Rik http://www.vetstoria.co.uk/templates/home.html
4. Poor love is afraid so he is telling them to keep away. My Lucky is like that too......
5. Unfortunately experiences they encounter as pups stay with them and he has learnt this reaction out of fear. You need to take control and build his confidence in you and himself so he is not so defencive of what he sees as a threat. He will have an imaginary boundary around him and anything he sees as a threat that looks like coming into that space has to be warned off. He will pick up on your anxiety when you anticipate his bad reaction and this will reinforce his reaction. You need a behaviourist to help you if you have no friends with dogs as she/he will help you find dog owners to assist in exposing your dog to other dogs in a controlled manner. She/he will teach you how to train your dog so he knows you are in charge, this will give your dog more confidence in you so he can relax and not feel need to protect you also. A method that usually works is to get a small sweet tin and half fill it with pebbles or coins so it makes loud sharp sound when shaken and attach it to a length of string. Enlist the help of strangers (ie friends of friends) with dogs to assist you. Sit on park bench with your dog on shortish lead while the volunteers approach and walk past you, some with and some without dogs. As soon as your dog barks or reacts hold the string and throw the tin down hard on the ground in front of him, tug his lead and say no firmly (the string makes it easier for you to retrieve tin and will add to his confusion). Keep doing this each time until he gets the message and is hesitant to react to people, each time he doesnt react and is quiet give him a tasty treat and praise him. Do this while standing by the path as they walk by, and progress to walking towards and passing these people with their dogs on and off leads. Every time your dog reacts badly shake the tin hard straight away, tug lead and say no, the times he doesnt react praise him loads and give treat. Eventually he should ignore other dogs and if he seems about to grumble he will respond to just 'nooo' and reasuring commands & prompts like 'walk on' or 'leave' & 'good boy'. Remember you are not trying to terrify him, the idea is he wont like the noise and will be unsure so he will look to you for reassurance and guidance he will soon associate barking at people and dogs is an unpleasant experience and not barking at them gets praise and treats. Lots of fun and basic obedience training will reassure him that you are in control and he can relax, walks will become more fun for you both. Classes are a great way to socialise him plus you will pick up lots of useful tips yourself. Take lots of tasty treats like pieces of sausage when you take him out for walks and ask other doggy people to help you by giving him treats. Getting him neutered if not already done will also remove his need to challenge other males. I still suggest you get the advise of a professional who can discuss with you the trauma your dog has experienced and his relationship with you. I wouldnt want you to do anything that could cause him more problems. I do hope this is helpful - good luck
6. First of all, this may sound really weird, but I watch the Dog Whisperer on tv, and he works wonders...I recommend watching that for everyone with dogs, seriously. Tivo it. How are you when you are with your dog? Are you the leader to him? Do you walk out the door first when you begin the walk? Are you in control with him from start to finish? Those are the types of questions that really help me when I walk my dogs. Don't give them an inch for at least the first half. Near the end of the walk, I reward them by giving them a 'key' word like, "okay!" and I'll let them have a long lead and let them sniff around. But the first part of the walk, I keep them on a shorter leash. I want all their attention focused on me. Sometimes I'll even bring a few slices of bread with me to keep their attention. This practices discipline on their part, and leadership on my part. Dogs love to have a leader, it makes them feel safe. It is also a great mental exercise for them. If he's dog aggressive on walks, as soon as you see the dog coming, make him sit. Don't tense, be very calm but assertive and firm with him. Don't get frustrated during the process because he will pick up on that, and that's not what he will listen to. If he gets fidgity, correct him right away. If you let him act up, it will only escalate into the lunging and barking. Hope this helps a little bit. Good luck.
7. Find yourself a good training class to help get him socialised with other dogs. Doing some obedience training with him will increase his confidence. http://www.apdt.co.uk/list_trainers.asp
8. I dont think this has anything to do with his experience as a puppy, which he has long forgotten by now. (1) Train him so that he recognises you as his pack leader and then he wont feel he has to protect you - currently you are allowing him to be alpha dog, which is BAD; (2) Socialise him with other dogs under supervised conditions - training classes will be absolutely ideal, under the eye of an expert. So, training it is then! Call your vet right away!
9. i have a dog like this and i just keep him on the leader. its better than him getting into a fight. get a retractable leader to give him some freedom.
10. INVEST IN EITHER A HEAD HALTERROR A MUZZLE WHICH IS GOOD FOR NERVOUS DOGS,ALSO A SHORTER LEAD SO YOU CAN KEEP HIM UNDER BETTER CONTROL.REASSURE HIM AND SAY "NO" WHEN HE DOES THIS,KEEP WALKING HIM NEAR DOGS BUT A BIT APART SO HE GETS USED TO OTHER DOGS.
11. I know exactly were your coming from,my 4yr old bi tch was attacked as a pup and has been aggresive ever sinse then.Unfortunatly we haven't been able to train her to accept them,how ever we did get a puppy who was a male and a bigger dog then her as she mainly hates small dogs her height.Her n the pup have been fine and are great together,the "pup" is now 15months.It's good to hear your being a responsible dog owner and keeping yours on the lead around other dogs,im afraid theres nothing you can do about other people letting there dogs come running over to yours!!!!Is there anyway you can take your dog were there is no other dogs?this would let your dog have a good run around and be less stressfull for you.Good luck.