Hi, I have a wonderful black lab called Poppy, she is almost 3 and up til now has been the perfect dog! But over the past couple of months she has become aggressive towards other dogs. We walk in the same place weekday mornings and know over 20 dogs that she has had no problems with. A few weeks ago 2 other dogs we were with started fighting and before I could get hold of mine, she ran over and got involved! We split them all, apologies all round and I kept her on the lead for the next 3 walks. Then we saw 1 of the previous dogs with a muzzle on and my dog went mental, she was biting and pulling the muzzle (seemed she was trying to get it off tbh) and the other dog fought back... We have since seen them with no muzzle and they've been fine together. Last week we met a puppy cockerpoo, they were both on leads, tails were wagging but the puppy cupped my dogs nose, trying to reach her and my dog warned her quite aggressively. Then today, normal walk with another dog she has played with since a puppy. A new little pug like dog caught there attention, they both went over and tried to play but the pug snapped and mine just went mental again, pinned the pug down by his throat! The owner was nasty and swearing at me, threatening to call the police etc! I was in total shock and really do not know why she is behaving like this? She has been neutered and is so gentle with all the kids and other animals in the house, if anyone could help I would really appreciate any ideas or advice. Bex
Hi @Bex77 and welcome to the forum. Sorry that you are having such a troubling experience right now with Poppy, she sounds like such a lovely girl. We have three labs and one can be very reactive, so can empathise with how you are feeling. It was such a shock for us when it started happening. I always think, that although in your post there is evidence of recent confrontations with other dogs shaping her current behaviours, it is always worthwhile just checking in with a vet to absolutely rule out any niggling health concerns. Dogs are incredibly stoic, and low grade discomfort such as joint pain can impact on a dogs normal behaviour, making them less tolerant of other dogs. From your posts, it does seem that over a short period of time there have been some very stressful interactions with not just other dogs, but owners too. I would personally contact a local dog behaviourist ( who works with positive methods and has good credentials ) to help with Poppy. She does needs some help in reframing her interactions with dogs into more positive experiences. I would tackle this quite soon before her frustrations becomes more of a learned behaviour which becomes more challenging to change. In the meantime you could look at techniques such as LAT "look at that" which rewards your dog for looking at another dog/person etc...they can really help in diffusing a situation. Here is an article which covers off what LAT means: http://www.clickertraining.com/look-at-that-making-the-trigger-the-target Also, there is also something we refer to as "trigger stacking" that is worth being mindful of. A trigger is something that causes your dog to react (lunging, barking, fearfulness etc..) and could be a dog, or a person, or anything really. Stacking is just that, over a short period of time, the stress effect "stacks" and the dog really begins to struggle, bit like when you are having a really bad day, then something minor happens that really is t the straw that broke the camels back? Same with dogs. That little terrier that Rover didn't mind barking yesterday? Well Rover has had a bad day...so suddenly reacts badly to the little terriers barking today. Well that's an example of trigger stacking. So best when something stressful happens, it helps to avoid areas where you are likely to meet lots of dogs, find somewhere quiet or quiet times to walk Poppy instead. Good luck and please keep us posted.
Thank you so much for your advice, I did think it could be a stress thing and have been thinking 'has anything changed' etc, she is a 'routine' dog and doesn't seem to deal with change very well. We have changed routine slightly, I have given up work to care for a relative, but it does mean I am home more, just at different times. I wonder if that has had an affect? I was going to start to walk her in different places and only go to the usual place once a week, I thought maybe she was seeing that area as hers and being protective. We take her on our holidays, usually walking ones and she can be off lead 3-4 hrs with no problems. I will let you know how we go, again big thank you.
Hi. Some really good advice from Kate above. My girl became a bit reactive after being attacked by a particular dog 3 times. I worked through LAT and my dog walker helped out with giving her positive associations. I find if my girl is on lead she is more reactive, probably because she is restrained and unable to get away. I made sure we had some play dates with dogs we know well and gave her lots of praise. Nits not an overnight process, but does work with training. Yesterday we seen the dog that attacked Harley and she spotted him before I did. He is now on lead as dog warden has warned them (he's attacked numerous other dogs). Anyway, Harley started to run off towards him when I said in a chirpy voice 'look at that' and ran off in the opposite direction......she ran after me and ignored the other dog.
Welcome from Hattie 9 years and our rescue boy Charlie 6 years. Definitely recommend LAT training. We have been working through this with Charlie as he can be reactive towards some dogs, not all. It really is helping him and we are seeing progress. I do agree with Kate getting your vet to check her over to rule any health or dental issues out. x
Ty for the lovely welcome... We had a mainly lead walk today but for a while when she was off lead she saw a jack Russell through bars, she seemed happy to say hello and came back when I called her. I am about to read the LAT now that I have some time to myself.
I would definitely advice a full health check and chat with the vet. Health problems can affect behaviour, sometimes it'sounds the first clue we get that all is not rigHTC. The health check should also include blood etc to rule out any imbalances etc. As there have been numerous occasions in which your dog has reacted to other dogs I would also suggest you ask your vet if they can recommend a behaviourist or contact the APBC direct for a local behaviourist who can fully assess your dog and her reactions to different stimuli. The behaviourist can then formulate a training/rehabilitation plan for your girl to get her back on track.
Will make an appt asap and see if there's an underlying problem, don't want her unhappy or suffering. She really has been brilliant, as a pup the most damage she did was to nibble the wall in a few places, the usual socks & slipper and a cpl house plants got eaten! She crate trained so well and we went on a 3 month socialising/basic training course as soon as she had her jabs. Then another further training course after. She'll even put herself to bed when she knows she's done wrong! One thing I did think of was I doggy sit in the afternoons 3 days a week, I have the dog here, my dog is very jealous of any attention I give the other dog, could it be that? I have been having him since September.
I wonder if your dog is 'resource guarding' you around other dogs. Sounds like that might be happening with the visiting dog.
Ps. I agree with the suggestion to first get a vet check and, if that doesn't point to an answer, get the help of a behaviourist (who uses positive, kind methods). There are several potential causes of your dog's behaviour and I think the way to go is to have a professional observing a real time situation and then developing a solution with you.
I contacted two behaviourists but unfortunately I cannot pay the money there asking!! We are seeing the vet this week and I am going to do lead walks only for a while, we started LAT training today indoors, will gradually work up to outside etc... I will keep you updated on how we go, thanks again for your replies.
Glad you are seeing the vet Bex. Unfortunately behaviourists are expensive which is a shame. Good luck with the LAT training and don't forget there are some Youtube videos showing you how it's done if that helps you. I found them very useful. I hope things improve for you and don't forget we are all here. xx
@Bex77 Do you have pet insurance? If so it's worth checking whether you have any cover for a behavioural assessment if referred by your vet as many policies do include this.
No unfortunately I'm on a low income so I use the local charity vet PDSA. I don't know if they can refer me to a charitable trainer, will definitely ask!
Hi, sorry it's been a while but have been busy working with Poppy. I went back to basics with her and we've been doing LAT to the point where she's outside but still on the lead. The vet check went well, they could not find any underlying problems and suggested it could be the other dog's behaviour that's stressing her, so I have not had the dog here for 2 weeks now. We have had several off lead walks and she has been fine with all the dogs we have met, even the dog I used to look after, so think we're on the right path. Big thank you for all your advice and help, was getting so worried! Bex & Poppy
