Sorry buts its another small dog one.

Since Jack was killed about 5 months ago Chelsea has become more and more 'barky' on walks towards us and other dogs.
Towards bigger dogs either when they are close or when they have passed by, shes well socialized and had never had any problems before.
Does Jacks passing leave her more and more anxious? Today was the first time I considered that could be the cause.
She was never a dog who really barked much, and still doesn't at home.

Karen

Quite possibly, but without seeing her reactions and body language in situ it is always going to be a bit of a guess. Can you see a distance at which the barking begins- is it 5 yards away, 20, 100, 500?

Perhaps you can tell us a bit more about her, what kind of dog is she, how old and a little bit about her relationship with Jack and with you before he was killed. Was he a confident, outgoing dog? Did she witness any events that led to his death. I apologise if these questions are painful.

If you can find a good, sensitive trainer you may be able to rebuild her confidence- but ensure they use kind methods. You'd also need to be clear that her behaviour signalled anxiety about bigger dogs getting close and a proper assessement in situ would help determine what is going on as well as your reactions to Chelsea.

It starts as soon as she eyeballs the dog. She stands and looks and waits to see if she should brave it.... but doesn't bark until either she has passed by or is alongside. She has always been well socialized and was never afraid before or aggresive.

No she didn't witness his accident though she  went along to say goodbye.

When indoors she was boss, when out he was probably the gent who was in charge led the way and minded her. Stupidly its only today that the penny dropped for me, that there is probably a link.
Thanks Karen

Does she turn and look behind her as she barks, as in looking to see if the other dog is coming up behind her, or does she turn her head to you? The barking could be warning the other dog off following her from behind or it might be a stress buster- she has had to steel herself to go past the other dog and lets off a bit of steam having got by.

Do you have any friends with dogs that she really likes? It could be she'd feel less anxious if she walks with another dog, preferably a male and one that is confident and non-reactive - but it has to be a dog that she is familiar with.

One thing to consider is to try to help her by trying to avoid putting her directly in line of another dog. If you see another dog try to walk away if possible or approach in a big curve so they are not head to head, if that makes sense. Use distraction with treats or toys before she gets to the point where she is focussed on the other dog. You want to build a positive association with other dogs and stop her rehearsing the barking behaviour where possible, so that it does not become a habit.

Was Jack intact?

If she can walk with a buddy it might help and she may need to go through a period of adjustment to get used to life without her friend, but if not you may have to look at getting in a trainer or behaviourist. Depending on what's going on an intervention like BAT might be useful. You can google this along with the name Grisha Stewart.

I have offered advcie on the premise that her behaviour is motivated by anxiety but I cannot know that for sure- and I could be completely wrong, so my advice is to get a good trainer to come out with you and take it from there.

Jack was castrated but quite late on, I think you are wise and I will get a trainer from the local animal shelter.
They have dog trainers who are very good 'positive only' as opposed to the local dog obedience who insist on water squirting aversion techniques.

I would rather like a buddy for walks, in the meantime I will get on with googling more of the BAT looks very interesting.

Thanks again

Karen

In the interim I am purely lead walking and she seems so much more content.
Maybe this is actually all that is required for now.

Karen