as some of you may know, i have two labs-Teka (3yr old spayed bitch), and Buna (18mth old castrated dog). I've noticed over the past couple of months that Bu can be a little unpredictable around other dogs-not all dogs, and not necessarily just dog dogs, but bitches too (although i think his issue with bitches is that he wants to dominate them and hump them).

since i noticed it, i tend to either keep him them both away from other dogs i don't know, or put them on the lead if they're unavoildable. Sometimes i leave Her off, keep him on and let him meet the dog-if he behaves i ask if dogs owner minds me letting him off for a play.

the other day i was walking out the back, and a lady with a mongrel (very cute!) was walking where i wanted to be. Rather than cross paths, i went in the opposite direction, and let my two off. After a few minutes of walking i heard the lady whistling, and i turned round to see her dog laid on the floor by Teka, who was more than happy trying to play with it, and they were both chasing eachother. I knew Bu would be a bit of a twit as the dog was with Teka, they were playing, he wasn't etc. Bu was ahead of me, turned round and went over. He instantly took the dominant stance, and the he sniffed the strange dog, following with a grumble, and strange dog dropped to the floow. I called him, but the other dog came to me, so he Bu followed suit making the strange dog run a few metres ahead. Bu took the stance and grumbled again, so i did a low authoritive "no", followed by "leave", and he did momentarily. I started to walk towards them both (strange dog on the deck by this point), to grab Bu. Lady just stood in the distance doing nothing. As i got close, Bu grumbled again and went for the dog. I don't mean full a on savaging go, but almost a telling "get away" go-he did snap at the dog though, although no harm done. I grabbed his collar and did the "no" even louder, and he stopped, looking up at me, and strange dog went on its way. I apologised, and stayed close by suggesting she check her dogs tail as he caught it-lady said "its ok" (its not!), and that he was ok.

this isn't the first instance he's done it-the grumble thing he's done about 8/9 times, and the snap maybe 3, although theres never been any bites. He's been attacked randomly by two dogs before-one a black lab, and one a staffy cross-both entire. The entires appeared from somewhere, ad started a stand off with the entires growling at Bu, and he's growled back, then the entire has gone for him.

i went to see my mum this morning after being out with mine to the beach, so took them with me. She has Teka's entire brother, Badger. Bu's always been quite submissive around him but today Badge was sniffing Bu's back end, Bu looking a bit uncomfortable, so i held his collar while telling Badge to leave, who blatantly ignored me. Bu lashed out-he didn't bite him, just growled and a bit of a snap, so i shouted "no", and put him in a different room for a few minutes. After letting him back in he was ok, and i just aked him to 'leave' Badge, and he did. Can't help but think i might have aggrevated it by keeping hold of him, probably sending signals to him?

i've walked him on his own to see if his 'issue' is that he's being dominant over Teka, but he still gets a bit antsy. I'm getting a tad frustrated because i'm not sure what the root cause is-dominance over 'his' bitch, or me, fear (doubtful as he's ful of himself) or something else? I'm going to try and work on a particular 'word' when he humps Teka (try and stop the dominant behaviour with her, which isn't all that often), or if they get a bit rough when they play (they often grab eachothers skin and growl at eachother, but i've never took it as anything other than rough play)-the same for Teka (she likes to hump him,too :rolleyes:), and hopefully if he does get close to a dog, saying 'the word' will make him think twice. I'm gonna work harder on recall too, as 80% of time he's back like a shot, but it just takes that 20% to have a do with another dog. As i'm not sure of the cause, i'm not really that sure what the best thing to do is? Distraction sometimes works by the way, but sometimes he's too transfixed.

has anyone got any suggestions? To be honest, provided i keep them both entertained while out, he doesn't care about other dogs that are close by-unless they're on the same path etc. I'd like him to be content around all dogs for his safety and the other dogs'. I find myself always looking round to see if there are any dog walkers nearby, which i never used to do.

i've tried letting him meet dogs in doggy places with owners permission, warning them he may "be a bit grumbly", on lead to begin with, praising him as he's calm and 'nice', letting him off (again with owners permission) if he's been good, and have been surprised by how he has been, improving with each dog, so i know he can be good. I'd like to be able to trust him completely again though.

contemplating either socialisation classes or having an independant trainer/behaviourist come on a walk with me for an impartial opinion, but i thought i might pick you champdoggers brains?

thanks :)

nicola

It's always difficult to pass comment on this sort of problem - Bu may be a bit confident or he may, due to the interaction with the other 2 dogs who had a go at him, be a bit wary and fearful. OTOH the dogs may have had a go at him becausethey were trying to put him down (if they for example were older mature males). Bu will have a huge amount of testosterone in his body just now, it will be evening out but he may have more than a mature male at the moment.

It may be worth getting a reputable person to walk with you and assess what is happening :)

Be wary of who they are, though. I'd suggest using www.apdt.co.uk or maybe www.apbc.org.uk

Hth and good luck!

Lindsay
x

Agree with Lindsay totally but just wanted to suggest that for the moment you avoid shouting at him in these situations - it can make things worse where tension already exists and whoever you consult may think that keeping things light (whilst still taking control of the situation) is a better tactic.

Best wishes.

yeah.... I was just thinking about this today. I'm pretty sure its a dominance or protection issue. I was at my friends earlier, and she'd had him for about an hour before i got there (Teka stayed at home waiting for me to come home). When i went over to get him, i took Teka. As soon as her dog (Bu's best pal, a rottie about 6mths older than him) came over to Teka and greeted her with a lick, Bu shot straight in between and grabbed his jowels, as if to warn him off?

i've just invested in a whistle to try and combat the art of 'come' (he's far far better than her, and will normally come even if she goes), so i can get them both where i want them which should minimise any mishaps. If she's with me, he's very unlikely to stray.

i'm having a chat with a couple of trainers (one's a behaviourist supposedly-haven't checked her credentials) tomorrow night about Teka's noise anxiety, so will mention Bu's.......quirk!

thanks for your replies ladies :)