The dog needs to feel he has choice too. Formal training seldom allows choice. Walking on a longish loose lead without any feeling of restriction gives the dog more feeling of choice. If the dog signals that he needs more distance from the other dog, then that, too, is his choice and the human should comply.
She is ready to have a go at anything and the lady, slight in build, has trouble holding her back. She has been pulled over at least two times. I saw Tia’s transformation for myself. It was amazing to see how a dog who is so relaxed and friendly in the house could change to being so reactive outside, only a few feet from the front door.
The new owners got a shock when, soon after they had brought him home, Max and a relative’s small dog, as soon as they clapped eyes on one another, broke into a fight.
What if a dog’s aggression towards other dogs is really a symptom of stress, anxiety and inconsistency at home? The reason I was called to meet and help Hugo was his aggression to dogs on walks. They now feel they can’t walk him anymore. However, I soon realised that this Read more
Little Chauncey is very friendly if initially slightly wary of men. If they take him out anywhere, to the pub for example, he revels in the attention……until another dog enters. Then he quickly morphs into a barking, lunging and snarling little monster!
Have you recently adopted a rescue dog and found that everyday sights and sounds seem to overwhelm them? I suggested they start all over again just as though Vinnie had never been walked before while he settles in. They have had the young Jack Russell for just over one week Read more
Does your dog spend every walk scanning the distance for other dogs? Odoe is a bit of a mix – a delightful mix! There is certainly Terrier and probably Whippet in there. He had an uncertain first two or three years. Eight years ago he was brought over from Ireland Read more
Why would a normally gentle dog suddenly bite when touched while asleep? The delightful Marty is now six years old. When he was about two-and-a-half he was diagnosed with Addison’s disease. A couple of months later he displayed aggression for the first time. Could it be a coincidence, or could Read more
Can harsh training methods make a fearful dog’s reactions to other dogs even worse? Little Lakeland Terrier Whisky is seriously reactive to other dogs. As soon as she sees a dog she begins to scream, and if she can get to it she will attack, grabbing its neck and holding Read more
Why do Weston and Sidney become so difficult to control when they see another dog? I am just back from an enjoyable visit. I will call the lady Sally. She has two entire male Rhodesian Ridgebacks – big dogs and a lot of testosterone! On edge They are well behaved Read more