Hi,
Wonder if anyone can help with this?

Eventually, when our puppy is older and stronger we'll take her on longer walks. One of these involves passing close by a farmyard with 4 or 5 collies. These dogs are very territorial and usually come out and bark, snarl and snap at my older dog (who's learnt to run past as fast as possible before they see her). The thing is, I don't want in any way to have my pup traumatised by these dogs - she's quite highly strung and I don't want her to become afraid of strange dogs.

I don't think that reasoning with the farmer will work - he's in and out of the farmyard all the time, so closing the gate permanently (which does keep the dogs inside when it happens) isn't an option for him (his dogs terrorise horse riders as well as dogs - they're 'ok' with people). Avoiding this lane (it's a public highway) will really cut down our walking options - does anyone have any ideas as to how I can deal with this? Or is it a case of just avoiding the farm altogether (I hope not).

Any suggestion gratefully accepted!
Thanks so much.
Sarah

Round here this is a common scenario - most people seem to keep their dogs loose in their gardens and I can always tell if someone is walking down the lane by the frenzied barking that ocurs from most of the houses.. the owners simply view them as doing the job they are there for and rarely call them off when they rush the fences.

When we first moved here I decided to walk two of my dogs the length of our country lane - by the time I'd got back both I and the dogs were completely stressed - not only 'mad' dogs but also flocks of teritorial geese - ( now that IS scary !).

Luckily we don't rely on the lane fror our dog walks having miles of footpaths and river banks to use  instead but I do sympathise. Not much you can do though - it's just a country thing I'm afraid !

Yvonne

The farm dogs are doing what they are supposed to be doing ....... so really the only thing that you can do is to take a route avoiding this farm until you feel your puppy is old enough to copy your other dog!

Margot

I had the same problem with a local farmer, he has 2 Jack Russell's and a cross breed, who would come over to us yapping and growling. Over time these dogs became used to us, my dogs learnt to just walk passed the farm and we would just get a few yaps but no longer were approached. I would speak to the dogs and say good morning and they are absolutely fine with us now.

If this is to become a regular walk, your pup will have to get used to these dogs. If you keep her away as a pup (which most of us would feel inclined to do) and then take her as an adolescent it may upset her all the more.  Keep socialising her with friendly dogs and when she is an older pup take her with lots of treats as you are walking passed, stroke her, tell her good girl, try not to pick her up, and walk her through the farm quickly. 

Hopefully these dogs are all mouth and do not approach your other dog or nip do they? If they do nip at your dog I would definitely approach the farmer, his dogs are entitled to bark and warn off, but not physically attack another dog or person.

Your pup will learn to ignore their noise as your elder one has, don't appear fearful and talk calmly and happily to her as you are going through.

Pain in the bottom these loose dogs aren't they?

Personally, I would keep her away while she is an impressionable pup inside of the socialisation window.  Make sure she meets lots of friendly dogs and other pups, and when she is older, take her by there.  By then she should have met so many friendly dogs that having a few snarl at her shouldn't put her off other dogs altogether.

I agree with onetwo three.  I also agree that it's annoying but a fact of rural life.

I find it helps if my dogs walk under close control on the opposite side to where the farm dogs will come out, so that I am between them - my newest dog is anxious passing them but has already learnt to put himself in that position well before we get to their gate!

Certainly don't traumatise your pup when she's very little but if you live in the country, farm dogs are something she's going to have to learn to cope with. They are everywhere round here and all of them are doing their job even if performing that function sounds bloodcurdlingly threatening.

If the dogs in question are actually able to get at - and nip anyone or any other dog - then the farmer isn't keeping them under control and I'm sure you wouldn't be the only person with concerns. But dire doggy threats are a different matter!

Hi there - thanks for all your advice! Yes, it is a country thing I guess, but luckily none of the other farm dogs around here are as bad as this gang. Granted they are doing their job - but it's the owner who isn't keeping them under proper control.

Yes (in answer to Lyssa & Ros) the dogs come right out on to the lane and surround you and try and bite your dog/s (usually from behind -they are dead sneaky). If the gate is closed, the most aggressive one, May (entire bitch) runs right up to the gate and slams her whole body against it, making the whole thing rattle furiously. However, when the gate's closed they never jump over (though they can) and just growl from behind it. They never threaten me at all - they just don't like other dogs.

Teasel's strategy to run past before they even know she's there works most times, unless they are already out on the lane and spot us coming. Then all hell breaks loose. I was wondering whether I could use one of those dog stopping whistles that runners carry around with them - but that would probably scare my dogs too! I also wondered about using a water pistol (you see, I'm getting creative!)!!

Anyway, yes, I think I will get pup as well socialised as possible with nice dogs before taking her down there. It's a right pain in the rear end, though!

Thanks all!
Sarah

Don't think I'd go down there at all, if it was me - not if they're actually trying to bite your dogs and not just barking and growling.  :(

Is there any way you can leave the dogs at home, go down there and make sure the gate is closed, before you go back, get the dogs and go for a walk?  Just an idea - if the farmer doesn't mind you closing his gate.  (Which he should have closed anyway because no dog should be allowed out of its property into a public lane to intimidate others.)

aviod till pup is older

If they are actually nipping/biting, I'd avoid that particular place. It's not fair on any passing dog to have to put up with that - a display yes, but anything else, no.

Lindsay
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