Echo has been set on by 3 different dogs locally and in 2 cases a real fight broke out as a loose dog charged up to us and was intent on asserting himself. The other nasty fight happened outside my gate as neighbours hooligan collie x youngster again belted up to Echo, snapped in his face, he reacted and the Boxer bitch waded in ( she thinks lout is her puppy). Now if we see a dog off lead, ours is rearing up and yowling challenges. Echo has to be on lead just now as he was a stray so hes a sitting target. Funnily enough he is keen to meet other dogs but Im keeping a safe distance, walking in a half circle near them and teaching Echo to watch me as a distraction if he gets high

I dont want a bad habit of jumping in first to start, but it is early days for him on the scheme and maybe they all have to test each other out. So when will we know there is a problem?

Won't have a go at solving this for you as its not my forte :) but have you plans for taking him to training class and it seems to me you will get lots of opportunities to do meeting and greeting in a more controlled environment watched over by someone who can give advise.

This is a difficult one Lorelei - he will find his natural place in the "pack" that lives naturally in your area - but you have to be able to protect him - and yourself!

Try keeping his eye on you at all times - but it doesn't make for easy enjoyable walks at the moment, does it???   Hopefully, he won't be the new kid on the block for too long.

Love Margot

     That must be terrible. I am lucky I supose in the fact that there are no stray dogs around here. However how about taking a spray of water out and trying to deter loose dogs that way.
What you could do with is find local dog owners who would be willing to walk with you - to improve upon Echo's; willingness to meet nice dogs. How about putting a sign up in the vets and asking for local dog walkers to socalise yours with.  

      And yet you have to realise some dogs never get on with certain dogs; a lad (well bloke now) who lives round here walks his dog regularly, and some of the other dogs seem to hate him; no idea why he never appears to do anything but the dogs set off when he's out. He walks on a lead and seems reasonably sociable - his owner has given up and just avoids these dogs. Which seems a shame to me.

     I wonder if your Echo is giving off a "vibe" what with the lead idea being new to him and all - that the others are taking as a challenge?
If so maybe it will settle down on its own. But its good he's learning you are the most important thing to watch - not other dogs. I struggle to get mine to do that and I've had them since puppies ;)

Sorry I can't help though. Karen  

I think Karen has the right idea Lorelei - squirty water bottle - maybe take Minibeast with you, armed  dangerous :D - to guard Echo!

Think it's certainly worth a try!

Margot

How have you got on today with Echo then?

Today we have had a lovely early morning walk to a new place ( to Echo) and played with the ball. Echo on lunge rein. Ive started teaching him to come when called and the response is good :) no tugs on the line needed. Hes learned to sit and started down going under the leg for a chicken bit. Today is official Push my Luck day with determined efforts to lie on couches and beds and hes finally chewed his dentastix, so much more settled. Door can be opened without a black snout poking through and no more crying at the toilet door. Hes a lovely dog. Crate will arrive next week or so thanks to St Chloe, Patron Saint of Sleepless owners :) Nights are better. 

Think well carry a water pistol and just carry on as we are doing. If locals had better control of their dogs wed be OK as Echo actually likes other dogs, yelps and playbows at em etc. Its the speed it goes from playtime to war that caught me out. We manage to stay calm and keep the lead loose so itll be fine. He will go to classes after Ive had him a month ( in our area rescues have to be with owners for that time before going to class).

Sounds like you're on to a winner then :)

He sounds adorable.

Hi chaps. We dont have a problem dog. Took Echo over to Cammo Estate ( big spaces) on his lead to meet steady dogs. He loved it and was great with tiny dogs like Robbie the Westie pup and a JRT right up to the Bernese Mountain Dog. Worked out why the barking and plunging - its the other dogs' body language and whether their owners look in charge. A combination of staring plus a wishy washy  or distant owner will produce Hell Hound impersonations. Echo is learning to watch me not the other dog and Im keeping a safe distance and rewarding calmness. Now we've had some good social encounters Im sure with care things will be fine - the water pistol is in my pocket though :)

Great news about Echo .  I was interested in your latest post as our dog sounds like he has a similar ability to recognise 'nonassertive' owners .  Many dogs make a beeline for him, and I often fear they are about to attack him, he usually reacts by  'asking' them to play - bows etc . I know he is a very dominant dog , but NOT dog or people aggressive.    He is good with other dogs, and plays with small dogs like Westies and whippet crosses. He is fine with my family and visitors , but in true ridgeback style only once you have greeted and accepted them. No problems with my tiny 12 week old niece either, even when she screams!   However, in the past  he has jumped up at one or two owners - and I am intersted in how you described these people Echo encounters  - they sound to be the same people Blaze reacts to.  Unfortunately for us it has tended to be older people - but he takes a noticeable dislike to them, and jumps up barking to warn them off . (NOT SUGGESTING ECHO DOES THIS)  At first our trainer said to 'trust' his ridgeback judgement ( after all not all dog people are kind!). So we avoided telling him off BUT ensured he is  lead in time - the problem has been when he sees 'one of these' he knows instantly( even on the horizon - (sight hounds eyesight!), so you have to be so quick !!! At dog training too he reacts to less assertive owners and their dogs, and appears uncomfortable with them. Our trainer says some dogs are sensitive to this, but he is not a problem dog, perhaps his breed heritage makes him more tuned in to people.   It is strange behaviour - do other people have experience of this?