Hi

What is the best course of action when out walking off-lead if you see another dog approaching? I'm very panicky about this and I'm constantly looking out for other dogs thinking that they're all vicious (totally stupid I know).

Not sure what Molly's reaction would be if we did meet one. She's great at classes with the other pups (she's an 18wk Westie) and will only bark if someone else does first (think she gets carried away). But we took her out yesterday and when we got back in the car she started barking and growling at an approaching GSD and Staffy! Who does she think she is? They could gobble her up in one go! LOL Does she seriously think she could take them on or is she just warning them off? I think she's kind of like a kid that's cheeky if she's in the safety of her own car where she knows they can't get her.

When she met my sisters lab she hid behind my legs. But when he was safely on the other side of the french doors she barked like mad at him.

Hi, does she have a good recall? When another dog approaches call her to you until theres a chance to check out the other dog and owner. If you call her from time to time on walks for treats or games she'll come back no bother when necessary. Barking and growling form a safe distance sounds like shes nervous of bigger dogs so you need to make sure she has good experiences with older dogs as far as you can and relax yourself as your worry will transfer to her. Learning to read dog body language will help you judge the intentions of an approaching dog. Very few dogs are really aggressive but pups need to learn manners - as do some older dogs.

Hi Claire,

Most westies if provoked will take on anything including biggies, they are terriers after all..

I personally keep my lot on leads sometimes extending leads in public places where there is a chance of other dogs . I have fields behind my house which they run freely in and if a dog appears which is rare I put them back on leads I feel happiest doing this. I do walk with other dog owners sometimes and the dogs will run and play together but I know the dogs as does my dogs now.

Pam

We do lots of work with recall when we take her out. Hubby and I take it in turns hiding and then she comes to find us. She looks releived when she finds us but loves the game and gets lots of praise. Off lead she never goes far as she's very clingy toward me and always likes to know where I am. Think will continue the training so she's got a really good recall and then will put on lead when other dogs approach. I suppose it's good she's small as I can pick her up!

I'd like to introduce her to more adult dogs as my sister is the only one I know who has one. (Other family live too far away). her lab is fantastic with anything, maybe I should persevere in making friends with him? At classes there are two dogs that tend to pick on her a bit - is this because she's small?

Claire,

It is hard to say sometimes why dogs behave odd with each other, mine all go to class every week and I go to shows so they are well mixed with other dogs and people. One of my dogs goes nuts everytime he sees a scottie I can think of no reason for him to be like this, it is funny to watch but even though he comes back 99.9% of the time on command I would not let him loose with the scotties The Scottie owner tells me he find his dogs a bit odd sometimes with the westies so who knows.. Everyone has suggestions but sometimes we never really know.
Don't worry about it just enjoy the learning she sounds like she is doing well.

Mines are off the lead generally daily and all but one recalls well.. they are always freindly with other dogs. The one who doesn't recall as well is the hunter through and through whether it be a bug , bird or cat she will run.. ( and against every rule in the book I generally have to go get her) ..

Pam

If you do not know how your dog will react to other dogs when it is off the lead then it shouldn't be off the lead in the first place.

In public places mine are never left off the lead (although that is mainly because one is an akita) and I am always annoyed when someones dog comes running over to mine barking and yapping and the owner willnot/cannot recall it. It drives my dogs made because they are restrained and can lead to more unpleasantness i.e more aggression than would happen if the other dog was on a lead.

Also the amount of people that let their dogs roam 100 yds from them and never spot them messing the area and hence do not clean it up!

How will you find out how it will react of the lead until you actually do it?
This actually scares me, Toby has his 2nd injection tomorrow and then after a week he is allowed out. How will I know when he can be trusted? Im wondering how he will react with other dogs, he has been introduced to my sisters dog and he got on pretty well with her, but that does not mean he is going to be good with other dogs does it?
Any tips and i wold be grateful.
Thanks

Sorry maybe my first post wasn't that helpful.

You are right you never know until you try. But do it under controlled circumstances i.e use a very long retractable lead so you can take control quickly should you need to, also be sure that your dog is good at recall, but what ever you do DO NOT PANIC! as you will upset your dog and stress yourself out needlessly

Most very young puppies will not let you out of their sight when they are first in an off lead situation. I have always found that socialising them with other trustworthy older dogs teaches them the "doggy manners" they need when meeting a dog, and the sooner you let them off lead the better. Whilst they are still unsure of themselves and not at the pushy stage, they stick close to their owner, as he/she is their source of protection. Try it first in a safe open place, not narrow paths where someone can appear suddenly and startle the pup and when as few people and other dogs are about as possible and I'm sure you'll be surprised. It will give you more confidence as well.

Just to clarify Tim, when I said I didn't know what Molly's reaction would be I meant whether she would hide or runaway. She only barks when she's in the safety of her own car. Face to face she's a big baby and hides behind my legs.

I class myself as a reponsible owner and I would never let her off if I thought she might cause trouble to another dog. I would never forgive myself if she got injured or injured another dog or upset their owner.

Hi Claire, people like yourself who think about others and train their dogs are very unlikely to cause an incident. Its natural to be concerned about your baby. Happy walking:)

Thanks so much, that was a really kind reply and has made me feel a lot better.

My apologies Claire - I drew the wrong conclusion from the barking statement - mine are pretty much the same all mouth and no trousers fortunately

Good luck as you can see there are some very knowledgeable people on this site. Hope their advice is useful

Regards

hello as for the comment on owners missing the dogs doing the business at 100 yrds away
i spot my dogs doing the business when they are 200 yrds away...thankyou

It may not be a bad idea to get yourself a book om dog body language, Roger Abrantes did an excellent one, and i think there was one by Bruce Fogle....

It will help you feel better when dogs approach :)

Dont forget, Mollie will need to socialise or she may become fearful of other dogs and that would be a shame. She will get a bit of licence with most other dogs, except really aggressive ones and they are few and far between.

|If she has good experiences with dogs, then when she meets one who snaps and growls or lunges at her (and this happens to us all) she will put it down as a one off learning experience and it won't damage her too much one hopes, whereas if she is not socialised, and this happens, she will believe all dogs are out to get her.

Most dogs are OK, but if you get a really good recall, you can get her away if you are concerned.

My policy is to have my dog off lead and free to meet other dogs as long as there is no obvious problem. I don't however allow her to charge up to dogs, nor race to them at top speed, (not unless she knows them!) and she has reliable recall, leave and distant sit so she is controllable. If you are confident over the months with your training, that will be a huge help to you :)

Lindsay

Good advice Lindsay.

As a thought for you, if you always stop your puppy from assocating with other dogs it will grow up thinking there is something to be worried about. It is akin to training fear aggression! Socalising is what's needed not seperation.

Regards, John

John, Having re-read my original posts I'm puzzled as to how you have drawn the conclusion that I have in the past or intend in the future to keep Molly separate from other dogs.

The whole reason for my original post was requesting advice on what to do in that very situation. Molly goes to puppy classes every week - not for training, as she actually learns better at home - but for socialisation. I also made referenece to having introduced her to my sisters dog and about being concerned as I don't know that many adult dogs to introduce her to. Quote: <<I'd like to introduce her to more adult dogs as my sister is the only one I know who has one>>.

In my post I said that we had taken her out and it was after we got back in the car that she barked. So where in all of this have you read that I have any intention of not socialising Molly or keeping her separated? Your quote: <<if you always stop your puppy from assocating with other dogs >><<Socalising is what's needed not seperation>>

<<I'm very panicky about this and I'm constantly looking out for other dogs thinking that they're all vicious (totally stupid I know).>>

This was the part of your post I was alluding to Claire. Dogs sense our fear down the lead and then start to believe there is really something to worry about. Any tightening of the lead on the approach of another dog sends messages down the lead. Any turning away from other dogs (if you do) is again sending messages to yours. She will have seen or smelled them so will already know they are around.

Regards, John

I still don't see how from me saying I get worried you have concluded that I'm going to stop her socialising. My own worry would not stop me doing what is best for my dog. And also, my fear has never been transferred to her as we've never actually come across another dog whilst walking (only in the car).

I was asking for advice on what to do when the situation does arise.

Claire, If you dont like my advice that is up to you! Sorry I wasted my time replying!

I'm not saying you wasted your time, just pointing out what I actually meant in my posts as you seem to have misunderstood me. Was concerned that you thought I was going to keep Molly isolated.

I never said that you guys don't spot their dogs doing their business from 200 yds away just some don't you want to see the mess in the park where I walk mine.

And Marley think before you post as the system sends automatic e:mail notifications so even though you edited your response I know what you said and do not appreciate my opinion being put down!

If all dog owners were responsible we wouldn't be in this position in the first place. This is an open forum and everyones view should be listened to. The great thing with advice is that you do not have to follow it if you disagree.

Please respect others on this forum as that is what makes it useful

I don't know how old you are Timb. I know there is no excuse for leaving dog excrement where it falls but if you could go back 50 years and see what we had then you would be pleased with the little which is not cleared up these days. In those days you really did need to watch your step where you walked. Add to that the fact that almost no dog was ever wormed in those days and you wonder why any of us can still see! Toxacara canis was far more prevalent in those days. dogs by and large were not vaccinated. Dogs ere by and large free to run in the streets so unwanted litters happened!

As I said at the start, we must not be complacent but we must still keep a sense of proportion. We have come a long way.

Regards, John

Hi Claire,

How about joining a dog training club that practices in a field or similar then "hopefully" she will mix off the lead with "sociable/friendly dogs" and a lot of your worries will be over. Or ask one of the others at the club you go to, to walk with you I bet they have the same fears you do "I did."
Other than that next time you see the Staffy/GSD owner get out and ask if she can meet them ;).

Karen

Thank you for your reply. Some are a lot more helpful than others.

I would have let her meet the other two dogs but we were already pulling away in the car. Hence why I think she was so brave. I bet if we'd stopped the car she'd have pooped herself!!!! LOL

Have thought about the training and we are moving soon so will have to find her a new class anyway. At the mo we live in quite a busy area and therefore don't see that many dog walkers but we're soon moving to a much quieter place where I grew up and there are a lot more dogs and nice areas to run free. Also remember seeing a new neighbour with a spaniel - maybe they can make friends.

Claire

Hi Claire,
I would definitely recommend an outdoor venue training club if you can find one. I'm an instructor at one so you could say I'm a bit biased, but if you can get your dog nicely under control in an outdoor environment, meeting other dogs in a controlled situation, it will build your confidence and hers. If someone is unsure of their dog meeting another dog, their nervousness can travel down the lead and make them do things which , although they may not realise they are doing, re-inforces their dogs sense that something is up. I'm not suggesting that you would do this, but dogs can hear if you're nervous by your voice, let alone anything else !. That said, she would probably appreciate meeting some new friends of all ages, colours and sizes.(although not all at once!!). Until you can absolutely trust her to recall, I would suggest using a long line ( like a long thin lead- I use a 20 foot one for my lab puppy). If you know that you can recall your dog, you'll be more confident anyway, this also helps to recall when there are other 'distractions' eg joggers, cyclists, walkers and horseriders. Good luck - enjoy your walks
P.S. I think that the barking in the car was her 'guarding' her territory and you! Its that old 'terrier tenacity!!Bless her :)