i own a lab x who suffers from fear aggression, i have been advised by a behaviouist to walk her with non aggressive dogs.
she doesnt bite and is under control and can be muzzled
she barks untill she knows that the dogs arent going to harm her.
if there is any one who wouldnt mind walking with there dog with lucy in or near swindon wiltshire please contact me.

gary@cottrell14.fsnet.co.uk

or post a reply

if any one else has any information on how to help this problem or behaviorists please contact me or post a reply

thank you
kelly

I would love to if I lived nearer (Bristol non driver). I think this is the way to go. My friends Goldie was like this when I first met her at 3 years. When I kept my first puppy I introduced her to it (she disliked Mum due to fear), she was smitten and so happy to have a friend. Then I took Mum round too, and she twice had a pop at her when Pup wanted to play with her, she was told off but not parted from the other dog (who defended herself, but did not do any more). When Ruby realised that we disaproved of her actions to Elka, she gradually got better with her (Elka just ignored her).

As the puppy grew up and they played rough games t5aking turns to be under dog her confidence grew. When I took her on walks she less often raised her hackles at the mere sight of another dog, and had now included Elka (same age as her but more mature) in her games.

within the year she accepted strange dogs approaching and sniffing her without going on the defensive, and actually playing with her. If they were over sexy she would tell them off in the normal manner, with no trace of fear or over zealousness, just so that they would know their attentions were unwelcome.

within 18 months she became a perfectly well adjusted bitch who had confidence in herself, so didn't need displays of macho to get her point across. She became very happy, because she just loves to play, and has been mentally outgrown by each of my dogs, and now at 10 is best pals with the original pups grandaughter!

thank you very much for your reply
im glad the other dog got sorted out
your message is very encouraging and brings hope to me that some day with lots of patiants and time lucy will one day be able to except other dogs presents around her
thank you again
kelly

Welcome to the forum Kelly :-)

Just out of interest is your dog only like this with dogs. How does she respond to humans?

Leigh

thank you lucy is only like this with other dogs

Have you tried the book "Understanding & Handling Dog Aggression" by Barbara Sykes? I have her border collie book and found it really good. It's £7.99 at Amazon, but you could try asking your local library for it.

Kelly

YOu are a bit too far away really as i am in Dorset, howwever, I do attend walks on a regular basis with a very friendly group who walk "normal" and "aggressive" dogs together...in the New Forest area and surroundings. If it is not too far for you i can post you privately with details etc, they meet up several times a month (i believe) although I just go the once. You could maybe have a chat with the instructor and ask if the walks are appropriate for your girl :)

If you are "desperate" I will gladly meet up occasionally as long as you dont mind travelling to the New Forest area.....lots of lovely walks!

Good luck

lIndsay

thank you very much for your reply
in june and july i will be camping in dorset and if you want to then we could possibally meet up.
please could you send me the details of the walk
thank you again
kelly

gary@cottrell14.fsnet.co.uk

I love the idea of these dog walks with aggressive and non aggressive dogs. I have one aggressive BSD and a friendly border collie. I would love the opportunity to walk the aggressive one with other dogs as his aggression is becoming more pronounced as he meets few other dogs. Most owners are not to comfortable with having a 'black hairy wolf' eyeing there dogs up even though he is under full control on the lead. If anyone knows of a similar scheme in my area (east yorkshire) could they please let me know.

Shame you're East Yorkshire as I'm South Yorkshire- we could have walked together! I'm not scared of a black wolfy looking thing- I've got a GSD and my friend has two Rotties- we could all get dissapproving looks together!!

Thanks, though he is under full control I get fed up with disaproving looks from other dog walkers. Some object to having to keep their dogs away from him.

It is like it was with the Goldie bitch, she was always under control, and had never been allowed to attack another dog, but she sure tried!! Itr is so much nicer having a dog who can be confidently walked and not over react, she exudes confident friendliness now, and loves meeting and interacting with her pals, old and new!

It would be worth contacting some training club organisers/trainers to find out if this is possible in your area, they may know of an e4xperienced owner with a very steady non confrontational but confident dog to walk with.

I took my friends Goldie who was like this out with my dogs for years (she can't manage now at 10 as in her head she is Peter Pan, but her bones are old). She used to hate other dogs but gradually with me being careful, but positive, and her seeing how my dogs interacted, she is now a confident soul, (took about a year, but was much better within a very short time, as she knew this behaviour earned her nothing but my disapproval), no longer feels the need to defend her self in an extreme fashion, and that sexy males should be shown disaproval, but not be killed outright! :D

I would suggest a training class as a first step. Just sit near other dogs, and make it clear that good manners are expected, b ut sit a distance from other dogs that he/she feels comfortable, and gradually reduce this with the most friendly and reliable dogs.

My friend (an experienced Obedience handler, who competed up to Ch Class C in her younger days) often has such cases to her advanced class (mostly her cronies who come to practice), as the owners are experienced dog handlers! We have had great results with a 12 year old cross, whose lady owner is terrified of big dogs, and had made him that way. Her Dad decided to bring him, he doesn't want to play with the other dogs, and does tell them off in a mild way to leave him be, but he tolerates them now. Similar situation with a Jack Russel, tends to grumble a bit6 if they get too close to him, they takle the hint, and he doesn't loose his rag any more (he knows his owner will not tolerate bad manners from him).

I would enlist other dog owners who you feel have the type of dog and experience, tyhe trainers may know or be willing!

I have taken him to several different dog clubs. Now on lead he is a perfect gentleman as long as they dont get in his face (or if their a choc. lab. which he hates). Problems arise when other owners dont have there dogs under control and they harrass him (the dogs not the owners). The biggest shame is I cannot let him off lead to play which I know he would love if he could just get over the need to eat the other dogs. My other dog loves to play and its fantastic watching her.

I love the idea of this too - if anyone knows of anything like this in the Southport area, please let me know!!!

HI 9thM,

Is this a new book? It sounds interesting.

LIndsay

I think it came out last year. I haven't read it myself, but I have read her "Understanding Border Collies" and I liked that.

thanx

thank you very much for your suggestion i will buy the book

any suggestions still welcome