2 rescue dogs fearful of other dogs

Hi cmtom89,

It was very nice of you to rescue Cody and Gia. I am glad that their health conditions have improved. Now you will need to work on their training to be confident family dogs. In fact, it will take much more time than their physical recovery.

As you have noticed when they are together they sense each other's nerveousness and their reactions to other dogs usually get much worse. If one of them was a confident mature dog, it would help the other one but it sounds like both dogs are fearful dogs. As kjd suggested, I would take them for walk separately. I understand it will be a lot of work for you but I would prefer to take two manageable walks than one chaotic and stressful walk myself. It will also create for each dog to be with you one on one. For the one left home, it will be a good opportunity for him/her to learn that you and the other dog will come home soon and it will be good lessons to avoid a separation anxiety problem.

You said that they had lived with 4 other dogs at the foster home. Is there any way to contact the foster family and ask how they did with those 4 other dogs? While it is a totally different thing to live with other dogs from meeting stranger dogs on their walk but the foster family should know their personalities and might be able to give you some suggestions. You can ask the foster family how they handled Cody and Gia on their walks too.

As for treats, make sure you only give them tiny pieces at a time. As long as they can smell the treat, it is big enough. My treats are size of my pinky finger nail or smaller. You can reduce their regular food and use the rest for treats too if you are worried about them becoming overweight. Use treats for any occassions they do good things, or to encourage them to make good things. For example, when you see another dog coming on your walk with Cody, have Cody sit at the side of the road and have him watch you (distract from the other dog). You can give a little treat when he watches you. Keep talking to him and if he can ignore the other dog passing you guys without lunging or barking, tell him "Good boy, Cody!" and give him a treat. It might take a while but I am sure you will be able to control one dog at a time.

Cody and Gia sound like they need a lot of socialization as well as building their own confidence so please keep on working on that. The worst thing is to keep them separate from any other dogs to avoid the hussles; it will be easier for the owner, but they will never learn that it is OK to be close to other dogs.

As for barking in the car, Holly, one of my rescued dogs, used to bark in the car whenever she saw people walking, riding on bikes, on skateboards, etc. but she stopped doing that sometime ago. I don't even remember working on the issue, except for telling her to "Leave it!". I think things will be better in a year or two. Sorry, I don't mean to discourage you but one year is nothing when you think about all the happy years to come with your doggies. Lets get it done

You are doing very well with them. Since they are so tightly-woven, the individual walks are very good for them. It builds their confidence in being away from the other dog.

Let me give a resounding second to MaxHollyNoah's suggestion for obedience class. I have found that one of the quickest ways to forge a bond. The one time I had to re-home a dog, I encouraged the new owner to take a class. Didn't tell him the dog was already trained and he was so pleased when the instructors told him the dog was too good for him! Dogs usually love the classes because they get that one-on-one with you.

kjd

As usual I agree with KJD and MaxHollyNoah! Keep taking your pups out on separate walks. I'm willing to bet they are showing some signs of aggression towards other dogs while on single walks. If that's true then you're better off dealing with those problems one on one. As you've mentioned, when Cody gets upset then Gia feeds into it and it just escalates. (From what you've posted it sounds like Gia is the more balanced of the two. But since she'll take her cues from Cody, he's the one who leads between the two of them.) They also receive cues from you so remember to stay relaxed while you're holding the leash, they can feel your tension if you're nervous too.

I really, really like the suggestion of finding a trusted friend or family member to take one dog while you take the other and go on walks together but separate. If Cody starts getting nervous have the person walking Gia cross the street or hold back while you distract Cody with treats or attention. When the other dog is past then have them bring Gia back into the picture. You'll have to get your friend to do the same distraction technique with Gia in case she reacts to the dog as well. But if they are separated during the explosive phase they would be easier to handle.

I am also a very big supporter of obedience classes. I've found they make me more aware of my dogs' body language and abilities. And I love the one-on-one time with them as much as they do with me. I once had an instructor tell the class that "your dog is perfect, it's you who need the training." I thought it was funny until the instructor took me aside after our first intermediate class and told me I should repeat the class again. Boomer (my deaf border collie) passed the class but I had failed, . Boomer was doing everything right I was still hesitating at the wrong places and messing him up! She was right, we retook the class and I learned to relax and enjoy the process!

Let us know how things progress with Cody and Gia.