Hi there, I am new to the forum but thought I would ask for some unbiased help from all angles.
We have just given a home to a pure black Gsd possible cross with a belgium shepherd 4 month old pup and want to know the best way to get the dog social with other dogs.   I am in awe of people whose dogs are totally placid towards all breeds of dogs when out and about.  What's the best way of doing this, we took her out Sunday and a small poodle was barking aggressively at her as we walked by whilst the owner sat on the wall watching and doing nothing to stop his dog, this is the norm here.  Ours was barking and trying to towards as we said firm no's and walked on with her trying to wriggle backwards.  So what tips can you give me.  There is no such thing as ring craft or puppy social classes here.  We want to turn her into a laid back girl so want to get it right as best we can.   Also we have an old dog at home and need best way of making her non food possessive with her, she is fine with humans.  All angles of help will be much appreciated.  I have bought a half check off of ebay as this is something you can't buy here, although she doesn't pull I want a little extra control if need be.
I am all ears for any tips and help to turn this gorgeous rescue girl into a sociable dog that is not a danger to other dogs.  Although I can't stop the ignoramus dog owner with an aggressive dog coming at me in this country.

Welcome to the forum Sasparilla I am sure someone will be along shortly to answer your questions and offer advice. But in the mean time, do you have any local 'friendly' breeders whom may be able to help if you explain your dilemma? Most breeders keep a number of dogs and maybe you could find one that would be willing to help you?

Hi
I'm not an expert just another dog owner and not had two dogs before however next year we will have another puppy to add.
I have a male Cocker who is very social he can thou get a little snappy with other entire dogs. We meet one staffie every day if he is on a lead mine wil bark and snap. If we meet off lead has fine after I've give a treat before they meet.
On winter walks with him on the lead I always give a good boy, a treat as we pass other dogs.
Do you have friends who have a dog? You could walk together?  Did the rescue centre have the dogs socialise together!? Would they let you visit with her to maybe walk with another dog?

Ahhhh in an ideal world, this is Spain not the UK its a whole different world

Where in Spain do you live? I have a friend and puppy buyer who lives in Spain, involved with rescue and has contacts. She has Malinois and if your pup is part Mali that could be useful. You also have a fairly famous dog trainer living in Spain (one that tours the world) although I  am personally not 100 % keen on that person although it is all reward based training.

For now, don't ever tell your pup off for barking at other dogs, and don't force anything. When pup sees another dog, you reward BEFORE there has been a chance to bark. I.e. reward for not reacting. If pup reacts i.e. barks, you turn round and walk the opposite way.

Yes, it´s important to know where in Spain you live.  It may be that someone can actually recommend a good dog training club or dog behaviourist in your area.

A puppy buyer in Spain???? Why????

Most clubs are German or Spanish run, I don't want competition level training I want to socialise a puppy with like minded people, last time I went to a training club here around 10 years ago it was ok for dogs to attack each other as that is all about social hierarchy

A puppy buyer in Spain???? Why????

What's that got to do with the subject -when I was only trying to be helpful as well! (Does that mean you shouldn't keep dogs either as you live in Spain?) But for your info, she's somebody I have already known for several years who moved to Spain FROM the UK with two dogs from the same lines I have already, and then wanted a pup as the other two are getting on a bit in age.

When I lived in Spain I went to an English-run club.  A neighbour also went to a different dog trainer who was English.  I guess you must live in a different part of Spain.

Guess you worded your post to be a bit misleading, I read it that your friend buys puppies it sounded like she was a dealer, as if there aren't enough puppies here dumped in bins, left in bags to die, put in oil to drown etc etc, right now Spain is awash with pups and kittens on a grand scale the rescues are struggling to keep up with them this year

I live remote but go to the towns and coast, all I really wanted was a little  advice on best way to tackle situations like when the towns stray runs up to you or the old ladies yappy poodle sees a threat.   Sit stay down paw heel is all OK it's the friend not threat situation I wanted a few tips on.

Ok well I give up, I genuinely thought there would be some helpful advice available from the UK but instead everyone says training club, thanks anyway 

With all due respect, maybe that's because you come across as a little bit rude and judgemental.........

Sorry I can´t offer any help.  Stray town dogs and people with totally unruly dogs on leads are always a problem.  Best thing is probably just try to keep your own dog´s attention on you (easier said than done) and hope you don´t come up against a loose unfriendly dog.  Good for you taking on a rescue.  I´ve had a total of 3 Spanish rescue cats and even got an adorable little beagle cross out of one of the more notorious perreras but fortunately I´ve not had any problems.

Thanks honeymoonbeam, at least you can relate to where I am coming from with the way of life here x

> Guess you worded your post to be a bit misleading, I read it that your friend buys puppies it sounded like she was a dealer,

No you misunderstood.

A breeder refers to a puppy buyer as someone who had bought a puppy from them, most owners and good breeders go on to have some form of friendship and on-going contact.

This thread shows how easy it is to misread something someone says and then take offence, when none is intended

To try and get this thread back on track can anyone offer further advice on this:

>Sit stay down paw heel is all OK it's the friend not threat situation I wanted a few tips on.

taking into account where Sasparilla resides and their situation?

You need to try and make every encounter a positive experience.  Read up on counterconditioning, and desensitisation: these are your main tools for this problem.

Counterconditioning is going to be the primary thing for now.  Currently, your dog sees other dogs as a scary thing (possibly, she may be barking with excitement but the process should yield the same result either way).  So you need to begin pairing other dogs with fantastic things.  Food works best for this, but if your timing is good, then anything that is rewarding for her.  Basically, every time she sees another dog, she gets awesome treats - plural!  Feed, feed, feed until the other dog has gone away.  Food is a very powerful tool - it gets all the good brain chemistry going which will really help cement a positive association with those dogs.

Desensitisation means gradually exposing her at a pace she is comfortable with - that's the hard part.  You should aim to keep her far enough away from dogs that she is not reacting, which is course practically, is not always that easy!  Just do your best.  If one does come charging over, keep the best treats in the world (or her ball, tuggy etc, whatever the most rewarding thing in her universe is) in your pocket and bring it out quick to distract her, and keep her distracted until they give up and go away.  If you can, move with her to use your body to block the other dog, and keep yourself between it and her.

Another tool I find exceptionally useful is 'click the trigger' - I don't know if you're familiar with clicker training (if not, get yourself on youtube, it really makes this whole thing so much faster!) but the idea is to click the INSTANT she spots another dog, and reward well, even if she doesn't look round.  Pretty soon, she'll spot a dog then look back to you for her treat and when she's doing that, you can start to click for the look-back as well.  That helps reduce her focus on other dogs and increase it on you, and aids the above two processes too.

One other thing: DO NOT PUNISH HER.  In any way, and that includes your firm 'no' and/or a check from the half check collar.  Cardinal rule of dealing with a reactive dog: ANYTHING that happens to her, be it physical or verbal, can and will be associated with whatever she's focused on at the time.  So if you tell her off while she's concentrating on a dog, she'll associate you getting mad with the presence of the other dog and try harder to get rid of it next time, before that can happen.  Remember, they cannot think about what they are doing when they are reacting - it is purely that, a reaction.  So manage it (avoid, keep distance) and reward the good stuff (non-reaction, click the trigger, looking away, sniffing the ground etc).  Learn about calming signals and body language so you can recognise other signals to reward and encourage.

Admin in my first reply I DID offer practical advice on how to sort the problem and it was not even commented on.

>Admin in my first reply I DID offer practical advice on how to sort the problem and it was not even commented on.

Very true Goldmali. Do you have any further idea's how our new member can get the results she is trying to achieve?