Kingdom of Pets

Posted by sharkie81
May 16, 2009

I have just purchased the Secrets to Dog Training so should probably be reading a bit more before asking specific questions but here goes...

We have a 3 yr old dog who we have had since age 14 weeks. I now find that we missed his socialisation/imprint stage so wonder if he's going to be this way forever. We're not sure of his breed (rescued him from a welfare centre) but can see Kelpie/Cattle Dog/Lab in him.

Basically, he has done about 6 obedience classes- always passed and LOVES to work. He's really switched on when at obedience but every class includes a "socialisation break" where dogs are encouraged to meet each other on the lead and say hi etc. This is where our dog Koda fails miserably. He's super excited to meet other dogs (too excited) and rushes over to them, sniffs and appears fine, but then... I feel he displays characteristics of being dominant (eg. placing his head over the others dogs back)- I tend to pull him away then and that's when he will start growling or barking. Needless to say, at the "socialisation breaks" there are fewer and fewer people wanting to socialise with me! What should I be doing?

Also, when walking on a lead for a walk, he heels by my side, sits at roads etc, but if he sees a dog coming in the opposite direction, he starts prancing and staring at the dog. He's not aggressive, his tail is either wagging or straight up in the air. If I give him the opportunity to "meet" the other dog, he will respond as he does at the Obedience classes. If I walk straight by and not let him stop, he just stares after the dog the whole way past us and even tries to turn around and watch it behind him (though I don't let him do this).

If he meets PEOPLE on a walk he often barks and growls at them. It's awfully embarassing, especially when people ask to pat him and then he reacts that way. Is he being protective of me or is he scared?

Lastly, when at a dog off leash park he is much, much better. We can safely let him off lead as soon as we get to the park (or not) and whilst he does run full pelt up to other dogs (often scaring them), they sniff and then move on easily. He's great with older dogs and even very small dogs. If I call him away from dogs, he will come. He will sniff other people at the dog park and allow people to pat him. There are times when he might dislay dominant behaviour (eg, putting his head over other dogs shoulder, rough play) but I can call him out of that quickly.

Why is he so different on a lead?

Posted by KOPsarah
May 19, 2009

Hi sharkie and thanks for your post,
Dogs often feel more threatened on the lead than running free because when a dog finds itself in a situation it is unsure of it usual response is either "flight" or fight". When the dog is on a lead it can no longer use the flight option (ie run away) so it is more likely to try "fight".

In your situation it is important to keep taking your dog out for walks and socializing him. It is true that you have missed the optimum socialization period but that just means you will need to be more persistent with his socialization. Remember when meeting new dogs or people or new things in general always praise the good behavior and ignore the bad behavior where safe and possible. If he shows inappropriate dominant behavior to others quickly and calmly remove him from the situation and give him a short "time out" for example f inside put him in a room by himself for 5 minutes or if on a walk get him to lie down or tie him up and ignore him for 5 minutes. He will then learn that this behavior means he misses out on fun and attention.

You could consider trying a head collar to have more control over your dog when walking or making introductions. Keep up heaps of walks and socialization and your dog will eventually become desensitized to situations that he is currently nervous of while on the lead.

Hope this helps and let me know how you two get on.

Posted by sharkie81
Jun 1, 2009

Thanks, that makes alot of sense.

I do use a Halti headcollar with him as even a choker chain is useless once he starts prancing and becomes "fixated" on another dog.
Should I be discouraging the staring? He knows the word "leave" and so I have been saying that to him whenever he first starts staring at an approaching dog (or person). He will go from ears pricked up and staring, to ears back and relaxed and looking away or at me. This only lasts a second though and then I have to say leave again. I don't want to lessen the effect of the Leave word so wonder if I am using it inappropriately.

If he is approaching well, should I allow him to meet the other dog or just avoid them completely? He's never bitten but I don't want to tempt fate. On the other hand, I want to keep putting him in challenging situations so he grows and learns.

Thanks for your advice so far.

Posted by KOPsarah
Jun 3, 2009

Hi again sharkie,
With lead aggression its usually better to distract rather than to discourage. Remember with dogs even negative attention is still attention and attention is a big reward for them. You could try taking a pocket full of treats or a toy with you when you see a dog approaching distract the dog by asking it for a sit, give the reward and praise if the dog complies. If the dog is instead distracted and trys to lunge to the other dog don't give the treat and continue to walk on with your dog close and under control on the halti. Eventually the dog will learn to associate calm behavior around other dogs with treats and antisocial behavior with not getting to see or meet anything. If your dog is calm, sitting and paying attention to you when another dogs approaches you can let the dogs get closer, as soon as your dog is not being calm and obedient instantly remove him from the situation by walking away and of course stop treats and praise, your dog may be excited or agitated for some time but walk on calmly till he is calm too and then ask him to sit and praise again. Remember also if your dog is being calm and you let the dogs get closer, to keep the lead up vertical and short, that way just in case your dog suddenly becomes aggressive and goes to lunge you just need to make a quick pull upwards to shut its jaw and reduce chances of injuring the other dog.

Hope this helps

Fine off lead but problems on lead!!