Aggression To Other Dogs

[Rain]

Good stuff, giraffez - sounds like you just need to build up gradually, and he'll be fine. Do try to make sure he doesn't have unhappy experiences with other dogs - keep your eyes open for 'rude' dogs, and just calmly walk in a different direction with your little man.

Good advice

[giraffez]

Good stuff, giraffez - sounds like you just need to build up gradually, and he'll be fine. Do try to make sure he doesn't have unhappy experiences with other dogs - keep your eyes open for 'rude' dogs, and just calmly walk in a different direction with your little man.

Thanks will do. I hope that gradually he will be able to overcome the growling. I'm try to stay away from dogs bigger than him (for now). Although the bigger dog may be a sweetie, my pup may feel threaten becuase of the size. Once he is ok dogs his own size, then i will try with the bigger ones.

[Schnauzerlover]

Hey giraffez

I have a 6 month old female mini and she didn't really enjoy puppy preschool at all, she didn't like any of the dpgs in the class, however she did very well with lessons and what she had to learn, eg sit wait etc. In fact she was the best in the class. She isn't really keen on other dogs. Not DA, but isn't keen to make friends. We are planning on starting obedience in September. I am not an expert but I think sometimes people assume that all dogs will love each other when in fact that is not the case it seems. Obedience will be great.

On another note our 5 year old mini Humphrey is a bit the same, he didn't seem to enjoy puppy preschool either in regard to making friends. He isn't interested in making friends with other dogs, he is more interested in making friends with humans Both our dogs get along well and are good friends.

I want to stress to you however that neither of my dogs go crazy when we are out and about towards other dogs. We just keep walking or doing what we are doing.

I don't really trust other people when they say their dogs are friendly. I have read too many scary stories. I protect my dogs and keep them from situations that would cause them stress or harm. By that I mean I do not go to off lead parks or beaches.

Thats my two cents worth.

[giraffez]

Hey giraffez

I have a 6 month old female mini and she didn't really enjoy puppy preschool at all, she didn't like any of the dpgs in the class, however she did very well with lessons and what she had to learn, eg sit wait etc. In fact she was the best in the class. She isn't really keen on other dogs. Not DA, but isn't keen to make friends. We are planning on starting obedience in September. I am not an expert but I think sometimes people assume that all dogs will love each other when in fact that is not the case it seems. Obedience will be great.

On another note our 5 year old mini Humphrey is a bit the same, he didn't seem to enjoy puppy preschool either in regard to making friends. He isn't interested in making friends with other dogs, he is more interested in making friends with humans Both our dogs get along well and are good friends.

I want to stress to you however that neither of my dogs go crazy when we are out and about towards other dogs. We just keep walking or doing what we are doing.

I don't really trust other people when they say their dogs are friendly. I have read too many scary stories. I protect my dogs and keep them from situations that would cause them stress or harm. By that I mean I do not go to off lead parks or beaches.

Thats my two cents worth.

Thanks for sharing that, sounds familiar with my little boy as well. I will keep going to obedience to expose him to other dogs as I don't know too many dog owners so he only meets his own kind once a week. Its also good that he learns some good puppy manners anyhow!

[giraffez]

Its been nearly two months since starting this thread. Teddy is now accepting other dogs, he no longer growls at them and are acceptable to them even at close distances. Improved very much since raising this thread!

However he will go and sniff them but he doesn't want to play. If the other dog makes a sudden movement and want to play with him, he gets a bit nervous and backs away. Anyway i can encourage a healthy play behaviour?

Edited September 13, 2009 by giraffez

[Tassie]

Its been nearly two months since starting this thread. Teddy is now accepting other dogs, he no longer growls at them and are acceptable to them even at close distances. Improved very much since raising this thread!

However he will go and sniff them but he doesn't want to play. If the other dog makes a sudden movement and want to play with him, he gets a bit nervous and backs away. Anyway i can encourage a healthy play behaviour?

Sounds like you're making good progress with your Teddy.

As far as his not wanting to play. .... I always tell people in my puppy class that not all dogs are party animals. Some will play with any other dogs, some are selective, and others really don't care too much about playing with other dogs. MY BC bitch is a bit like that. She plays with my BC boy every day, but usually not with any other dogs - and in fact, is inclined to maintain a little personal space bubble around her.

I would just keep doing the sorts of things you've been doing that have been working, and just let Teddy tell you when and if he wants to play. Whatever you do, don't do anything to try to force him to play. Remember, much more important than playing with other dogs, is that he enjoys playing with you.

[Starkehre]

giraffez, like Tassie says, it is not a bad thing that your dog will not play with others.

Many owners prefer to neutralise their dogs to other dogs in efforts to have their dog hold other dogs in low or no regard. This in effect provides a perfect environment for the dog to hold you as the owner trainer in such a high and positive regard that it makes for easy training... less distractions. A dog that prefers your company than other dog company is a joy to train.

If my dogs were more neutral to other dogs, I would be absolutely thrilled. Unfortunately neutralising proved to be too challenging for me and I gave up.

The work you have done to get him to tolerate other dogs is fantastic, and I feel certain that if you continue this way he will only get better all the time. Personally I would not care if my dog never played with other dogs, so long as he was not uncomfortable being around them.

Keep up the good work.

[giraffez]

giraffez, like Tassie says, it is not a bad thing that your dog will not play with others.

Many owners prefer to neutralise their dogs to other dogs in efforts to have their dog hold other dogs in low or no regard. This in effect provides a perfect environment for the dog to hold you as the owner trainer in such a high and positive regard that it makes for easy training... less distractions. A dog that prefers your company than other dog company is a joy to train.

If my dogs were more neutral to other dogs, I would be absolutely thrilled. Unfortunately neutralising proved to be too challenging for me and I gave up.

The work you have done to get him to tolerate other dogs is fantastic, and I feel certain that if you continue this way he will only get better all the time. Personally I would not care if my dog never played with other dogs, so long as he was not uncomfortable being around them.

Keep up the good work.

Thanks Tassie and Dyzney for the confirmation that I'm doing the right thing. I was thinking of getting a second pup when Teddy is a bit older to keep him company. Its always good to have a companion when we are not home and to keep him out of mischieve. But I'm worried that he may not tolerate or welcome a new one - may cause him stress rather than relief. Has anyone been in the same situation with their dog before?