She hates other dogs!
Hi,
I need help. I have a little mixed dog, she looks like a border collie with the frame of a American Eskimo. She is one year old. She is very good with people and listen very well but she doesn't like other dogs. I explain. I'm doing agility and obedience class with her since she is 6 months old she is good in the ring but when we are waiting for our turn outside the ring she growls at every dogs who come too close to her and this morning she almost attacked one. My first reflex was to correct her by pulling the leash but I gave her treat when she was good. She began this behavior around 7 months at the doggy park but she is getting worst. I don't go to the doggy park anymore. I wanted so much to do agility and rally-obedience with her and now I'm sad and I don't think it's going to be true. What can I do?
Desperate
Caroline
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re: She hates other dogs!
Hi Caroline, there's a book which I believe would benefit you very much - "Control Unleashed" by Leslie McDevitt. I've had clients tell me my classes for reactive and aggressive dogs use very similar exercises to those in this particular book and I've heard a lot of positive reports from owners of dogs who get too excited outside the agility ring and also owners of reactive dogs. Worth checking out.
I never correct aggression. Well, I shouldn't say "never", but I have to have a good reason and showing discomfort is not what I consider to be a good reason. You want those warning signals all left intact, warnings are good. What is not good is that your dog feels so uncomfortable around other dogs, and there are methods for helping her to feel that she is safe around other dogs, and also to teach her more appropriate responses to other dogs.
In the meantime get her as much space as she needs so you can start reinforcing calm responses, click and treat every time she looks at another dog without reacting. Ask your friends at the club to give you some space so that you can work on this, make them aware that there is an issue and that you would like them to help you by giving you space.
Regards,
Aidan
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