When I walk my 15 month old puppy if there is a dog barking as we pass the house or gardens and she can hear but not see the barking dog she gets really agitated and tries to run off. I don't want her frightened but not sure how to kelp her. 2 or 3 dogs was barking in a garden as we passed my hubby picked her up as she refused to pass the garden. I don't think picking her up will help the only option is to avoid the garden. But the dogs in houses are still a problem.
Hi @WillowA So if she can see the barking dog, she is okay--not agitated? Part of the problem here is trying to work out what is being communicated. In all likelihood the other dogs are saying, "Go away from our property" rather than "Let's play". if so your dog is sensible to back away. But part of her dilemma is that while she can hear them, it is not entirely clear to her whether the other dogs have picked up on her body language. Are you able to cross to the other side of the road so that you increase the distance and thereby reduce the intensity of the other dogs' messages?
I will avoid the alleyway where they are in the garden but a lot of the houses here have dogs who can see out so when walking past a house it's literally seconds until we pass. She is scared of dogs barking in the street as well.
I would hang out at a distance from the house with the barking dogs and have a training session there on other things - sits, downs, heelwork, look at me - it needs to be a distance where she isn't bothered and can still focus and train and you need to remain there and not go closer until she is ok at that distance. Once she learns the dogs can't reach her and she is safe and this is the place you go for training, she should improve...
The The dog in the garage next door to us barks a lot and she listens with her ears back then lies back down to sleep so I think your right about them giving off go away vibes. The dog next door is saying let me in im board he is locked in a cage for too long alone.
Thanks for the additional observation @WillowA. Jo's advice is still sound. You want your dog not to be fearful of the less than friendly dogs. The excessive cortisol in her blood stream is something you should avoid. Work out where the the threshold is--where your dog starts to exhibit fearful signs--then back away to create distance. Your dog's behaviour should show some calming signals. Work your dog through various exercises letting her have a good time. Then next time see if you can move a little closer to the source(s) of the barking. And repeat the exercises. Warning there is no guarantee the threshold will always move each session closer to the source of the problem. You may have to back off. Second, you will need to avoid the problem spots, that is don't cross the threshold until your dog is desensitised and counter conditioned. You might need to put your dog in the car and by-pass the unfriendly neighbours.
I think she gets agitated because she can't see where the barking is coming from she stands and looks around flicking her ears back. I will back off and give a treat when she is calm and try to get her attention on me when the barking starts. We could just cross the road and pass the house but that isn't solving the issue. She needs to experience things to see its safe and nothing to worry about.
