I'm after some advice, my Morkie, Yorkshire terrier/maltese cross is three years old, he's been fine up to this year and now when we are out, mostly occurring with dogs bigger than him, he thinks he's a Rottweiler, he growls and barks at the bigger dogs, as of yes, he hasn't bitten anyone but i'm worrying he may.

When he's running in the fields, he's not too bad and if I see a bigger dog i'm putting him on his lead until we've past the other dog, letting him say 'hello' when they pass, if he goes past without growling I really praise him and give him a little treat.

When i'm walking him on his lead, he really tries to go for the other dog and i'm pulling him back.  I don't want to resort to muzzling him as he has sausage treats when we are on our walks.

Must also add that I have a cocker spaniel too who is a docile and soppy as anything.

Thanks in advance, Kaz

Terriers!

Your dogs not acting like a Rottweiler at all, they don't need to act like that

He's acting just like most normal terriers,  fiesty breeds, bred  to hunt and kill, who are more likely to nip first and ask questions later if not very well socialised whilst feeling threatened or having any anxiety, they are small so they get the message out they are not to be tangled with, the most likely breeds to be heard yapping in people's gardens too.

Your Cocker has different breed traits, unfortunately they will not rub off on the terrier.

What you are doing is correct, i.e stopping and praising him with a treat if he does not growl or bark, and then allowing a greet, continue with this, he will act worse on the lead as he will be more insecure, however off the lead if he starts on the wrong dog he may well start a nasty dog fight, so catch twenty two.

It is strange that he is beginning this well after maturity, he is well passed the initial increase of testosterone influences and fear insecurities in an adolescent, (terriers mature much earlier than other breeds) has he been attacked, has something happened? Has he recently been neutered?

He will need more socialising along with the praise and reward training you are already doing, (well done on that ) can you perhaps join a training class to help with this? Dogs also pick up on our body language, they can hear our increased heart beats and sense any changes in our biology, even a tightening of the lead will lead to anxiety from him, so try to stay calm and upbeat yourself.

Many people with terriers do have this problem, it is a real shame if he was not like this until recently, just work hard on making him feel secure again, and keep him focussed on you at all times, a good training class will help you immensely with these tactics too.

Wishing you luck, I often see people with terriers looking apologetic at their dogs actions, it's just terriers can be difficult to combat, but socialise, socialise, socialise, and make sure he is not ever in a position where his fears are made justified, that is just too hard to turn back around, perhaps that has already happened?

Good luck, and try not to stress about it too much.

Your dog isn't acting like a Rottweiler, I have the breed and they certainly don't act like that and would accept that as normal or acceptable behaviour either.

I wouldn't accept that as normal
Behaviour, sorry types quickly and phone deleted the n't part.

Many thanks for your reply, Gizmo hasn't been attacked or had any bad experiences with any other dogs, he goes out to a local field/park every day and some days we see a few dogs other days not so many - depending on what time of day it is, glad to hear that this can be classed as 'normal'.  He has always been well socialised even as a small pup me taking him out in my arms when I walked the cocker to get him used to every day sounds and noises.

I am worried about his nipping another dog or worse still him coming off injured if he should start on another dog, he is ok with dogs his size, it's just anything bigger he seems intimidated with.

He was neutered at 7 months old so that can't be an issue.

I will take on board your comments and carry on what i'm doing and see how he goes.

Kaz

> He was neutered at 7 months old so that can't be an issue.<br />

Actually early neutering often makes a dog insecure causing fear aggression.

keeping him at his comfortable distance so you can praise him for being good. as soon as he starts this behaviour walk away and when he is quiet treat him and not lunging etc you will know what he is comfortable with that's when he should be given loads of treats. Don't allow him to say "hello" he doesn't need to do that . its a very slow process and require lost of treats when he is doing the right thing. I would also take him out alone to practice correct behaviour. just sit in the park with him as soon as a dog appears and he is doing the right thing  treat .
teaching a watch me command to get eye contact is a good idea as well so if a dog appears and you cant immediately walk away you can get his focus on you not the dog. lots of practice at home with this is good