kiwioz Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I was wondering if anyone had some thoughts/experience/advice about this problem. Finn is a 2 yr old poodle cross, very sweet, very friendly, puts up with anything, loves Cal and other dogs, and if anything tends to be overly submissive. This, however, is OFF lead. He has had a developing problem with onlead though. Out for a walk, if he sees another dog, he just goes nuts. Very snarly, aggressive barking and lunging on the lead. If he actually gets to meet the dog he is fine, and will often be submissive up close. Somewhat understandably, many do not want to get close enough to let him do this. This seems to have stemmed from an incident where he was set upon by another, bigger, border collie type dog probably a year ago now. Initially, it was dogs that matched this description that would set him off. Now, however, its any and every dog. We've started by working on his lead work in general, as he wasn't very good at walking to heel so we've tried to get him more under control. We try to turn him away from the dog, get him to sit, and try to distract him, praise him when he's not barking, etc. But the behaviour is out of control, not to mention quite embarassing It is very specific, and very out of character, and desperately needs controlling. Any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Get some decent professional help. It does sound like fear aggression that has its origins in the attack but you need a professional to assess the situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwioz Posted January 28, 2009 Author Share Posted January 28, 2009 Get some decent professional help. It does sound like fear aggression that has its origins in the attack but you need a professional to assess the situation. I thought it might be at a point where this would be necessary. It's severity has kind of snuck up on us as it has worsened gradually. What sort of person am I after? Dog behaviouralist? How does one go about finding someone appropriate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 (edited) There is a behaviourist in your area that is highly recommended by DOLers - Jane Harper? Hopefully locals can confirm that and give you contact details. If your dog is increasingly finding himself exposed to what he fears and onlead which means he cannot flee, an escalation of aggression is one possible coping strategy. It may be that he's going for the preemptive strike and warning others to keep away. For the meantime, I suggest you give your dog some distance from strange approaching dogs and don't ask him to assume a position he may believe makes him vulnerable (eg sitting) to stop any further escalation. Keep yourself between him and what he fears. Edited January 28, 2009 by poodlefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quickasyoucan Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 There is a behaviourist in your area that is highly recommended by DOLers - Jane Harper? Hopefully locals can confirm that and give you contact details.If your dog is increasingly finding himself exposed to what he fears and onlead which means he cannot flee, an escalation of aggression is one possible coping strategy. It may be that he's going for the preemptive strike and warning others to keep away. For the meantime, I suggest you give your dog some distance from strange approaching dogs and don't ask him to assume a position he may believe makes him vulnerable (eg sitting) to stop any further escalation. Keep yourself between him and what he fears. PF I think it was K9 that mentioned her it was in one of his posts, it jogged something in my memory. "K9: Contact Jane Harper, [email protected] she is very good." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwioz Posted January 28, 2009 Author Share Posted January 28, 2009 Thanks for the suggestion, I will look her up. And thanks for the thoughts PF on what to do in the meantime, it is so hard to know what is the right approach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huski Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 (edited) Kiwi I have Jane's details, my lappy is running out of battery and I am about to board a plane (LOL), will PM them to you later tonight/early tomorrow. edit whoops I didn't realise quickasyoucan beat me to it Edited January 28, 2009 by huski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwioz Posted January 28, 2009 Author Share Posted January 28, 2009 Kiwi I have Jane's details, my lappy is running out of battery and I am about to board a plane (LOL), will PM them to you later tonight/early tomorrow.edit whoops I didn't realise quickasyoucan beat me to it Hehe thanks for that huski, and quickasyoucan for the address. Sounds like the way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Let us know how you go Kiwioz! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwioz Posted January 28, 2009 Author Share Posted January 28, 2009 Let us know how you go Kiwioz! Will do! It is at a point where I'm not enjoying taking him for a walk, and dread the sight of another dog (which is fairly often in our neighbourhood!) - I guess thats a fair indication we need to do something about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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