Morning... a bit stressed out here today. Chip has always been timid but with some controlled socialising over the last year we've had him he's now pretty confident and happy to meet other dogs and play if allowed. However, a lot of where I walk him he's off the lead, not a problem, but.... he's taken to bounding a few steps towards larger dogs which are on leads and barking. He's front legs splay out, back legs ready to pounce and he looks very threatening. But won't actually go near the dogs, he stops a few feet away then runs off (usually because I'm using my stern voice to say NO) then he backs down. Any ideas? I feel its a fear thing and I have a theory as to what the trigger is, but how do I stop him? I have had to apologise to several dogs and their owners, one of which got quite cross with me, but rightly so. I would certainly not want to be on the receiving end and his dog was elderly and quite frightened Need to nip this in the bud asap!
Re: Barking at other dogs My Penny does this exact same thing, amongst others. At the moment we are just managing it until we have time to see our behaviourist. I basically have to keep a really close eye on her and I have learned to read her behaviour so I'm able to see when she's about to do it, when I see her clock another dog and she looks like she might charge it I just call her in a really excitable way and go the other direction. Always works, unless I time it wrong. She, too, is having controlled interactions with other dogs and I know there's some dogs she just shouldn't be meeting at the moment. Very often I can distract her with a toy as she will get more focused on that than anything else around.
Re: Barking at other dogs I forgot to say, if you want your dog to interact nicely with the dogs he usually charges at it might be an idea to call him and put him on lead, then allow a nice greeting with a 'go see' command. The lead will stop the charging and if it looks like it's not going to go well then you have him on lead so you can just turn around and walk away. One of behsviourist friends watched Penny when she was doing the charging and barking thing and said it is a fear behaviour but it's also a bit playful - she wants to interact with the other dog but doesn't necessarily know how to do so properly, or is also wary about the other dogs reaction.
Re: Barking at other dogs Kate, no doubt that is stressful for you! Just got a few questions - When you say that his front legs are splayed out and his back end ready to pounce, is his front end lowered to the ground? Does it kind of look like a bow? What does his face look like? Are his lips drawn back so you can see his teeth? Are his ears forward or back? I'm wondering if it's fear or excitement (or a bit of an ambivalent mix of both). What is his behaviour like when the other dog is also off lead? What is his behaviour like on lead when he comes close to other dogs also on lead? Whatever the cause, the best solution is to train him to offer an alternative behaviour - something that is not barking and rushing up. Looking at you and walking close to you is an alternative behaviour that you can train him to do when he sees other dogs. Basically, the idea is that whenever another dog appears the 'bar is open' and he gets treats for nothing more than looking at you and being quiet. When the other dog disappears the bar is closed and the treats go away. Other dogs come to mean an opportunity to get treats from you, not an opportunity to get in their faces. You need to have fantastic treats (roast chicken) and keep as much distance as you need in order to be able to get and keep his attention. I'd have him on lead for this initially at least. Have a read of Jen's BAT training tips thread.
Re: Barking at other dogs Here's that thread You might find some useful ideas in there. http://www.thelabradorforum.com/index.php?topic=4934.0
Re: Barking at other dogs Hi Kate. Rachael has put you a link to the BAT thread I started where people have given me great advice on a similar problem I have with my dogs who have nervous aggression towards strangers. They basically panic and bark if people get too near. They also have some issues with strange dogs although this has improved a lot. If I can get the strangers problem as good as the strange dogs are now I'd be happy. I did basically as Rachael has suggested. Wait until chip sees the dog, give a cue to get his attention then have high value reward treat. You could use the treat to get his attention to begin with if needed. Eventually he will associate dog = treat instead of reacting to it. Mine now automatically nudge my hands when they see a dog coming. The technical term is counter conditioning. Debsie's dog cuillin reacted to other dogs. She's put some very good tips on the BAT tip thread.
Re: Barking at other dogs Thanks for the replies - it is a bow, bottom up, front legs splayed, kind of bouncing the way a guard dog would run at a gate. But never goes near, always remains a good few feet away. He never rolls his lips or snarls, just woofs. Not noticed the ears thinking about it, I'll keep an eye out. I've noticed that its more likely to happen when there are less people about. Rarely when we're in a park full of dogs. Will deffo try the lead training and treats, I always have them in my pocket so that's ok. If the other dog is off lead, not so much, but may give a woof if they're bigger than him. But then bows as he wants them to chase him & play. Tried it with a big mastiff at the weekend, which barked back at him. He ran off into the bushes and hid! So I would say he does want to play but isn't sure how to ask nicely. Thanks for the link, much appreciated.
Re: Barking at other dogs It sounds like he wants to play but just isn't sure. The bowing is an invitation to play. Scout does just as you've described to Scott when he's trying to get him to play and chase him. :
Re: Barking at other dogs Yep, sure sounds like it. What might also benefit him is an older, steady dog who knows how to say "no thank you, I do not want to play today" in a polite, calm way (e.g. by standing still, lying down, walking away - but not barking back). Do you know any dogs who might fit that description?
Re: Barking at other dogs I'm afraid I don't Rachael. I only know 2 other people with dogs and they're both mental, so I try to avoid contact!! Although I did have a break through yesterday. I had treats at the ready and I spotted the St Bernard in the distance (a favourite barking subject) and so I made Chip walk to heel, still with no lead and we went pretty close to the other dog. His hackles went up and he did look at him but a firm no followed by the heel command and once we were a safe distance away he got his treat and was released. I felt rather pleased, so thanks for the tips. I'm hoping to get lots of practice at this!
Re: Barking at other dogs That sounds like a really good result Kate! Well done you and Chip! I don't think I would have had a hope of doing that with Lilly.
Re: Barking at other dogs Well done Kate. If you can keep him at heel off lead passing a dog that's really great. ;D
Re: Barking at other dogs That's fantastic!!! Give him the treats as you approach and as you pass the dog as well - that's probably where the real challenge lies for him and you want to reward him staying with you then too
Re: Barking at other dogs Good tip Rachel thanks. We've had a practice a few times since and he's got it spot on 3 or 4 times, but then some others he's been quicker than me and set off at a bounce with his barking. On going training in progress, thanks for the help!
