Snapping / Dominant Bc X Cattle Dog

[jakeyjangels]

There is a (approx) 18 month old female BC x Cattle Dog that frequents our local off leash park.

This dog constantly snaps, but to my knowledge, doesn't connect, shows her teeth whilst doing this, but otherwise friendly. (Also very protective of her owners)

Her owners have expressed their concerns about her behaviour but on the other hand haven't done anything constructive to try to recitify.

They say she is just playing.

She is just plain annoying. I am worried that this dog's behaviour will cause problems with another dog one day.

(I don't permit my two to socialise with this dog anymore if we happen to be there at the same time. We leave or go into the other fenced off area)

Can this behaviour be changed or is it just the make-up of this dog? Has anyone else had experience with this type of temperament.

Would like your thoughts/opinions please.

[Nekhbet]

depends what the dog actually does, and if the owners are willing to rectify it. Plenty of good trainers around they should contact one ... conversely get some details and pass them along to them if they seem genuinely interested. Dont be pushy but 'oh I know you were saying you wanted some help with your dog these trainers are really good etc'

[corvus]

My corgi was a chronic air snapper in her later years. It just took proactive management, moving her out of situations that tended to cause her to snap before she did. A lot of the problem was due to some unpleasant experiences with strange dogs that she eventually mostly got over by buying space with air snaps. I didn't know enough about behaviour at the time to realise I didn't have to just stand there and watch it, or to realise that every time she bought space with an air snap it make air snapping more of a default behaviour. These days I reward non-aggressive coping strategies. Erik gets treats if he tells a dog in his face to go away without using his teeth or his voice. He also gets success. If the dog didn't pay attention to his non-aggressive signals, I intervene and make sure it gives Erik some space.

Incidentally, she NEVER did it to the 'wrong dog'. She was pretty savvy.

[jakeyjangels]

depends what the dog actually does, and if the owners are willing to rectify it. Plenty of good trainers around they should contact one ... conversely get some details and pass them along to them if they seem genuinely interested. Dont be pushy but 'oh I know you were saying you wanted some help with your dog these trainers are really good etc'

Thanks Nekbet. Hard to desribe other than this dog greets & then plays with every dog at the park with this constant snapping & showing of her teeth.

I have already suggested a trainer to them. And I have suggested DOL for advice too.

I know they don't see it as a problem anymore because they think it is part of her breed/s and cannot be changed.

But what is frustrating to me is, they just stand there & say or do nothing to their dog whilst it is displaying this behaviour to other dogs.

This is part of her play style is their explanation.

[ness]

I have a BC who is a little similar in that regard but she isn't allow to play with many dogs. I do let her play with a couple who are very in your face dogs and after 2-3 seconds of air snapping its game on and then she is happy to race around. To her its kind of like a reminder to the other dog that there are boundaries. Its no doubt a fear response and she certainly isn't allowed to go up to other dogs - if strange dogs come into her face then they will get told especially if I have a toy (so definitely an element of resource guarding).

And she isn't a dog I would take to a dog park and let loose to play with all and sundry. There are certainly some dogs that appear oblivious to the show of teeth - the ones that rush up at the beach and are met with the teeth yet continue to persist when she obviously does not want a game include young goldies and labs.

Edited October 9, 2011 by ness

[jakeyjangels]

My corgi was a chronic air snapper in her later years. It just took proactive management, moving her out of situations that tended to cause her to snap before she did. A lot of the problem was due to some unpleasant experiences with strange dogs that she eventually mostly got over by buying space with air snaps. I didn't know enough about behaviour at the time to realise I didn't have to just stand there and watch it, or to realise that every time she bought space with an air snap it make air snapping more of a default behaviour. These days I reward non-aggressive coping strategies. Erik gets treats if he tells a dog in his face to go away without using his teeth or his voice. He also gets success. If the dog didn't pay attention to his non-aggressive signals, I intervene and make sure it gives Erik some space.

Incidentally, she NEVER did it to the 'wrong dog'. She was pretty savvy.

Thanks corvus.

That makes a lot of sense. Although this dog seems to love the park and it is usually her that is in the other dogs faces first. It's like she thinks it is her park ?

[aussielover]

I have a BC who is a little similar in that regard but she isn't allow to play with many dogs. I do let her play with a couple who are very in your face dogs and after 2-3 seconds of air snapping its game on and then she is happy to race around. To her its kind of like a reminder to the other dog that there are boundaries. Its no doubt a fear response and she certainly isn't allowed to go up to other dogs - if strange dogs come into her face then they will get told especially if I have a toy (so definitely an element of resource guarding).

And she isn't a dog I would take to a dog park and let loose to play with all and sundry. There are certainly some dogs that appear oblivious to the show of teeth - the ones that rush up at the beach and are met with the teeth yet continue to persist when she obviously does not want a game include young goldies and labs.

That is really interesting.

Does she actually mean it when she snaps?

My dog is very submissive to other dogs and there are some dogs that literally just have to look at her and she will slink away or lie down.

There is a BC that snaps at her like you describe but she ignores it and will bounce around this dog anyway. Usually they end up playing (they have known each other since puppies, otherwise I wouldn't let her annoy the dog like this) but they will never play a rough and tumble game- no body slamming like mine would play with other labs- its always a chasing game- The BC likes to "round up" Mindy and then sometimes they will gently play bitey face.

To the OP- is this dog just doing it in play?

I guess if it is interpreting in the worng way by the wrong dog then she could end up being attacked. I know I would be worried if my dog snapped at others even if she didn't actually hurt them.

Edited October 9, 2011 by aussielover

[jakeyjangels]

I have a BC who is a little similar in that regard but she isn't allow to play with many dogs. I do let her play with a couple who are very in your face dogs and after 2-3 seconds of air snapping its game on and then she is happy to race around. To her its kind of like a reminder to the other dog that there are boundaries. Its no doubt a fear response and she certainly isn't allowed to go up to other dogs - if strange dogs come into her face then they will get told especially if I have a toy (so definitely an element of resource guarding).

And she isn't a dog I would take to a dog park and let loose to play with all and sundry. There are certainly some dogs that appear oblivious to the show of teeth - the ones that rush up at the beach and are met with the teeth yet continue to persist when she obviously does not want a game include young goldies and labs.

Thanks ness. Well explained.

I don't think she should be let loose to play with all & sundry either at least until her behaviour is addressed. Having 2 young Labs, i made the decision that this was a bad combination.

[jakeyjangels]

I have a BC who is a little similar in that regard but she isn't allow to play with many dogs. I do let her play with a couple who are very in your face dogs and after 2-3 seconds of air snapping its game on and then she is happy to race around. To her its kind of like a reminder to the other dog that there are boundaries. Its no doubt a fear response and she certainly isn't allowed to go up to other dogs - if strange dogs come into her face then they will get told especially if I have a toy (so definitely an element of resource guarding).

And she isn't a dog I would take to a dog park and let loose to play with all and sundry. There are certainly some dogs that appear oblivious to the show of teeth - the ones that rush up at the beach and are met with the teeth yet continue to persist when she obviously does not want a game include young goldies and labs.

That is really interesting.

Does she actually mean it when she snaps?

My dog is very submissive to other dogs and there are some dogs that literally just have to look at her and she will slink away or lie down.

There is a BC that snaps at her like you describe but she ignores it and will bounce around this dog anyway. Usually they end up playing (they have known each other since puppies, otherwise I wouldn't let her annoy the dog like this) but they will never play a rough and tumble game- no body slamming like mine would play with other labs- its always a chasing game- The BC likes to "round up" Mindy and then sometimes they will gently play bitey face.

To the OP- is this dog just doing it in play?

Yes mainly in play but sometimes I wonder if she is getting serious because there are growling noises ? Before I made my decision to not allow any further interaction between my two & this dog, I tried to express that the dog is annoying my dogs. The response was something like "she is only playing & won't bite". Just not worth the stress but am still curious about this dogs behaviour though.

I guess if it is interpreting in the worng way by the wrong dog then she could end up being attacked. I know I would be worried if my dog snapped at others even if she didn't actually hurt them.