Hi
I don't think there is much I can do about the following problem as it seems to be about boys and hormones but maybe someone can help. Every morning we meet a very nice 2 year old Dalmation dog on the way to our river walk. The owner is a friendly neighbour and we've chatted a lot on the walks while the dogs have romped around off lead. The Dally has always been a powerful struggler on the lead but the owners have done quite a lot of work to get him to walk properly.

My dog is 1 year and over the last few weeks the Dally has started going for him every morning [both still off lead] - starting with a growl and very quickly escalating into wolf like baring of teeth and snarling. My dog has never provoked a fight with another dog but has been the recipient of growls from other dogs [normally ratty ones] as well as this one. I get him away before anything starts.

Now he has started to react to the Dally and we have to get them away from each other pronto - thankfully they have never engaged. Then the owner and I tell the dogs off standing 10 metres apart and the dogs stand there wagging their tails.
So it all looks like a normal dog v dog situation. The problem is that we both use this path and there is no option in the mornings to go anywhere else that is pleasant. I now get up earlier to avoid the dog [ugghh 6.30am] but sometimes he appears anyway and we put them on leads but the snarling starts regardless. I believe that the Dally uses this path several times during the day whereas mine goes to plenty of other territories. The Dally has also growled at joggers and some other dogs [not all] so I reckon it is territorial plus hormonal behaviour. He's been checked for ear probs and is ok.

I was wondering if anyone had any solutions to get the dogs to behave properly around each other - especially as we have all been friends. As it is a morning thing I don't really want to start making pacts with the owner to set timetables for use of the river.
regards
cissy

No advice, I'm afraid, just sympathies.

Much as I love dals, they are big, strong boisterous animals, especially the males, and are very stubborn and territorial once they've got an idea into their heads! :rolleyes: If this dal is only taken for that particular walk, he may have decided it's his territory now and will start to get bolshy about what he sees as 'interlopers'. Really the best thing would be if his owner took him for walks in loads of different areas (this applies to all dogs, not just dals!!) so that he stops being so attached to that particular place. In the meantime you may have to just avoid the times you know he'll be there. :(
Sorry.

thanks I like them too, esp this one as he has been adorable until now and knows how to use "those eyes". I thought corgis had the monopoly on stubborness...
I talked to the owner a few times about the territoriality [she is equally worried] but not sure she is really doing the other walks at all. Do you think we could try bringing a water pistol and using that as an initial surprise tactic on both?
cissy

It's worth a try, but you'll have to be very careful to get the timing right!

A loud blast on a referee's whistle, or something similar, might work (once!).
Good luck.

Hi Cissy

I too have a male Dalmatian and agree with JG they are very territorial. I had a similar problem when mine was around that age and not neutured at the time. Any dog we met on a walk and it was only ever a dog not a bitch (never knew how he could tell at such a distance) his hackles would rise and would run in looking for a fight. Luckily for us most of the dogs we met didn't challenge him and it never went too far, but it didn't make for a relaxing walk!

The only thing I found that helped was to distract him. No dally will resist food, I used to call and feed him during the walk and try not to act differently when another dog was approaching. I found that walking briskly by, not stopping to talk was the best way of dealing with it and using a raggy toy instead of food at times. Eventually he got better, especially when we had him neutured, still have to watch out if there is an entire dog around. He was much worse on what he considered his own territory, rather then a strange place.

It might help if you can distract your dog on these occasions, if they can't eye each other up, they shouldn't see each other as a threat.

Good Luck
Sandra

I was actually going to suggest you try this. Anything is worth a shot, but you'd have to have it ready and get the timing right as Jeanjeanie says.

Wendy

thanks everyone - have just seen these after long weekend and only saw the Dal yesterday across the road yesterday [he was lurching to come over].

The approach I think I'll take is avoidance but knowing this won't always work given the frequency with which the Dal uses the river path. It is such a shame as they used to get on so well - we have used the path since July 2002 when Lascaux was a puppy and have met almost every day since then so it is rather awful that this has started up. I have even given the Dal treats so he associates us with nice things.

If I use the water pistol - shall I do it just when the Dal does his first growl? He is doubtless the first growler.

thanks
cissy

Make sure the owner is okay with you - to be honest I wonder if each of you should have a pistol and shoot your own dogs as necessary - that way the dogs know the correction is coming from their own owner and is not tolerated by them?? Anyone else feel free to chime in:)

Wendy

thanks - yes was going to talk to owner about it first and suggest 2 pistols, one on each dog. I thought we could try and make the shots without either dog seeing them, if that is possible [!!].

Yes, it's best if the dogs don't know where the water is coming from - that's why it can be very difficult to get the aim and the timing right (don't forget there is a delay from when you pull the 'trigger' to when the water hits the dog!!). I reckon a sudden sound can be more accurately timed.
Good luck, though! It'll be worth the effort if you can cure it.
:)

I have noticed that male dallies are getting a terrible reputation for being stroppy with other dogs - tis such a shame. Mine was the same though, and he made walks a nightmare :( He used to stand over other dogs, growling - dominant or what!! :rolleyes: I used to have to take him on deserted walks.

Edited: of course, he used to love the ladies... he would be all big, and strong and manly and handsome and they would be all flirty :rolleyes:. Dallies eh, who'd have em (JeanGenie)

I have one male who is fine with 99% of dogs (and 100% of bitches ;) ) and his litter brother who is much more territorial and unsure of strange dogs. Once he's met them, he's fine.

It does make walks a challenge, though.
:)

It did with me too.

PS - am away ffrom my own PC at the moment, so no access to email :rolleyes: Went past your neck of the woods actually, down the m40 and into Oxford.

And you didn't call in!!

I'm only 3 miles from J12, as well.
Humph. (Sulks)

Think the Dallie just sees your boy as an adult now who is going to challenge his rights to the area, it will settle, but may take another 12 months. You can either let them sort it or make sure they don't meet.

I could have done, but I had a car load and was trying to beat rush hour on the a34! Will do next time though - would love to see the pack :)

Is it possible to beat rush hour on the A34?
Never mind - another time, eh? :)

Yes don't go down it ! :D

It is a nightmare driving into Oxford everyday which is one good thing about being off at the moment ! :)

Lucy

JeanGenie,

Oooh, so about 5+ yrs ago, I drove past your house twice a day, on the B4100!! Small world, eh?! :D

Monty's Mum :)

Did I wave? If not, I'm waving now!!!
:D

*waving back* :D