I have a 2 1/2 year old Greyhound/Whippet who is VERY nervous around other dogs, she is fine as long as they are in sight but if they get round behind her she tried every thing to escape her collar, she has had me worried that she might break her neck the way she jumps and twists. I know this is a socialization problem but what can I do? HELP!

Welcome to the forum paulr.

I have always found that the best thing to do in this situation is to make your dog sit. Starting at first with her in front of you, using your legs as barrier for her to back into. This way, you have more control over how far she can go. Do not be tempted to "reassure". Telling her that everything is ok and not to worry etc will infact be sending her signals that it is ok to be afraid. Instead talk calmly to her about anything that takes your fancy. :-) Over a period of time, you will find that she relax's a little.It will not happen overnight, but should improve.

I am sure that the others will come up with more suggestions.

Leigh

What a shame you have to put up with this. This is exactlyt the sort of situation that insenses me - what Leigh suggests is a good idea and no, it's certainly of no benefit to reassure your dog. What I would do however, if your dog is on the lead and your dog is being stressed by loose dogs, I would firmly request the owner to take control of their dog. Don't think there is anything wrong with your dog, her behaviour is perfectly normal under these circumstances....she certainly won't change whilst there are people around who allow their dogs to intefere with dogs on the lead. Remember it is not natural, however, for dogs to interact with other ' packs ' and in the wild, would give eachother a wide berth and stay in their own territory....this is why I don't let mine interract unless I have already built up a rappour between my own and other peoples dogs.

I would disagree with you Norm, the more my dogs interact with others of their own kind the fewre problems. They iniatially learn to interact in a supervised manner in class with friends dogs etc, this teaches them the accepted protocols (manners), so that when they meet other dogs off lead, they are perfectly happy to pass the time of day, without being overbearing or timid. Yes in the wild it would be unatural, but we have domesticated the dog, and form artificial packs, and want our dogs to get on.

I would hate to walk my dogs in the park, and never have them play with the dogs they meet, how frustrating for them if I stopped them making friends.

Because they are confident (but I stress not overbearing) if a dog out of control does 'have a go' they can handle it with equanimity, and thereby they don't feel threatened and fight, as they know all they need do is ignore the other dog, or move out of its way! On the rare occasion that they have been attacked, they have stood their ground, and the other dog has backed down, then they turn away wagging theri tails, once the other dog has gone, or the owner has taken charge. They look to me to see what my reaction is. I have insisted that they are well mannered to other dogs, and any unnecesary displays of possessiveness or bad manners, and they have been reprimanded by me. As a result I can have completely strange dogs visit and they are accepted. Makes life much easier when travelling with different people, and staying away in other canine households.

Now you will say, oh yours is a gregarious breed tolerant of others. My friend has 4 Dobermanns who have been brought up the same way, and any dog can come in, with initial supervision, and be accepted, including chewing bones, and playing with toys. the only exception to this is that she will remove her male from the dogs area if another male visits, as she is unsure how the other dog may act with her boy (who loves all other dogs).

This isa lot like the shy person, if you make yourself get out and socialise, eventually you find it less daunting, your confidence builds, and you may even start to like it!

I meet a few sighthounds in the park, and they are often diffident about meeting other dogs, but being off lead (and faster than anything else) they take things at their own pace, and some have come to like my brood, as they don't overpower them, though if they meet them when they are playing with each other (elkhounds play noisily) t5hey will give them an initial wide berth, which is why if Isee other dogs approaching, I will tell mine to steady, so that they stop their game. Also when they meet other dogs I use the walk on command, and get them to greet the other dog one at a time!

The more fuss you make the worse the situation will get. Leigh is right, if you can ignore her behaviour. My friends dog used to do this as she had been attacked by another dog while on her lead. My friend made a lot of fuss about it and her dog almost dragged her under a bus!. I took her lead and ignored the behaviour and she stopped as she realised that if I wasn't making a fuss it couldn't be all that bad and maybe the other dog wasn't so scary after all. Praise her when she does right! It's hard cos what you want to do is comfort her but you mustn't she won't understand that you're trying to calm her down.

Hi Paul,

My name is Blade and i am now 6 months old and believe it or not a doberman! But like your family pet i am also terrified of other dogs, i have at one stage took to my heels and ran back to the car on several occasions. My mum and dad take me to as many dog shows as possible and basically ignore me whilst i'm on the lead, i walk to heel as good as gold but if i get nervous they totally ignore me!!! By the time i've realised whats going on we've carried on walking and nothing bad has happened, I'm still a little timid with other dogs but generally i'm 90percent better. Please believe me when i say that not all other doggies are trying to eat you :)

Blade xx