As some of you know I got Biscuit a 2 yr old chocolate labrador around three weeks ago.  He's a lovely dog, however, we are having one problem, we walk through the seaside, through town he is fine with other dogs around him and passing him, unless they approach him i.e being friendly, he snaps at them, just today we saw a little jack russell that went loopy at him , barking in town and he reared up barking.  Further along the main street another chocolate lab, reared up at him and this time I was ready for him and said in a very stern voice, sit, which he responded well too, I also told him to wait which he did.  I then said walk and we walked off but he was ready to go for this dog, I praised him at appropriate times.  I raised my voice to him and he responded excellently but I would like to stop this behaviour.  It is the same on the river bank, I always put him on a lead if I see another dog approaching.  Lots of owners though do not stop their dogs approaching him.  My other dog Dicksy the Cocker appears to be oblivious to anyone or anything around him!  Do you think I can alter Biscuits behaviour or do you think a dog behaviourist would be my best option to try and sort this out. Many thanks in advance.

Hi,
Hope the kettles on..got some reading you'll (hopefully) find interesting ;)

http://www.canis.no/rugaas/onearticle.php?artid=1  <- Great article by Turid Rugaas which will help you decipher Biscuits language (and more importantly how you may unwittingly affect or hamper his ability to communicate..such as making him sit)

http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/  <- really good articles here have a look at training for attention (getting Biscuit focused on you and not other dogs) in the behaviours section, I dont clicker train but use same reward training and a 'que' word instead of a click (or pat my thigh) I taught Storm "watch me!!" in a happy sing songy voice and it proved invaluable!! now I dont even have to use it, he walks calmly past other dogs.

http://www.apbc.org.uk/ <- I'd highly reccomend getting a recognised behaviourist if your unsure or have never experienced changing this type of behaviour

http://www.dogbehaviour.com/index.htm <- Gwen Baileys site is good too for info/tips.

When I rehomed my Sibe he was a lunging lout! slightly younger than Biscuit..now a year and half on...you'd think it a different dog :) It can be done and soooo rewarding for you and your dog.
   I found that teaching "watch me!" really broke the back of it and with the guidance of a Behaviourist we worked on meeting other dogs on a loose lead walking in big circles around the dog... treating continually when my dog looked at me and stayed with me...ignoring any lunge-bringing the focus back to me..and widening the circle...then when focus back on me and walking without lunging the circle shrinks and we soon moved to actually being able to meet the dog...lots of praise and happy sing song voices!!
    took a few weeks and being consistent then after a few months no more lunging (at the time I was working from home so we were able to train daily and twice daily) you really have to stay on top of it.
    But..it can be done :)
Good Luck (feel free to PM if you want a kindred spirit..been there done that, to moan to!! ;) )

Hi Craigles,

Some excellent advice from Huskygal there :)

It seems as if he really reacted to the other dogs who first reacted at him - if so, the way he behaved is fairly normal really. However if he tries to do this towards dogs who are not behaving in an aggressive manner towards him then he does need more help.

Basically, if the dog is fearful (and remember fearful dogs may appear aggressive) you need to use desensitisation and counter conditioning, whereas if there are emotions in play that are not fear based (ie perhaps hormones!) then a very high level of training needs to be attained so he will listen to you :)

Good luck

Lindsay
x

WOW!  Thanks to Huskygal and Lindsay, I've never had a problem as such with a dog before although I've only ever owned three, a rescue lhasa a new puppy which is Dicksy my Cocker and now Biscuit.  Nell and Dicksy never ever bothered with anything in life, typical plodder was Nell and Dicsky well let's just say he's Dicksy but everyones friend.  I will read the articles linked by HG when I come in from work.  To maintain the consistency of training wouldn't be a problem today I work 08.30-11.30 then I'm home.  Hubby out with dogs as I type!  Other days are similar hours and none of my classes are more than 4 hours long.  I will also source a behaviourist to see what he/she thinks too.  Again so many thanks and let's hope that like HG I get the result I am looking for. 

Good luck and be sure to keep us upated! ;)

I've just printed off the linked information as I can read it better on a hard copy.  Hopefully I'll get some good tips / advice and if all fails I'll take him to someone for some expert advice.  He's a lovely boy and to date this is his only fault, which I'm sure we can sort with time, patience and his cooperation!

Well he had to have some flaw didn't he Lesley - no living being is perfect. :-D I'm sure you'll be able to sort this out. Sending some Mellow juice to help. :) that would be for you dear, not the dog ;-)

Some really good links there Olivia thanks.  This morning I had a similiar experience.  My dog is the nervous kind and she has taken a dislike to a boxer we often meet.  I slipped her back onto the lead this morning because I wasn't sure who was up in front (the guy had his back to me and I couldn't see any dog at the time.  We met in a confined footpath area and Meg just went crazy - growling and lunging at the boxer - which didn't really seem to react.  I usually leave Meg off the lead to find her own way round dogs she doesn't know but tried it the other day and she had warned the boxer off with showing her front teeth and growling.  The couple who walk the dog are not sociable.  They don't say good morning etc.  I apologised this morning and walked quickly past - I had asked him to let me get through and not meet me at the narrowest part.  He said absolutely nothing.   I really need to get Meg to focus on me more when we are out.   

I rang a doggy training lady up this morning local to me and had a 30 minute chat with her on the phone and we are going for a 1:1 next Wednesday at 3pm. 

Keep us posted I would be really interested to hear how you have got on - good luck

1st update and the lady was fantastic!  blimey talk about know her stuff.  Biscuit did socialising exercises with two of her dogs (collie and retriever), he went to go a bit although he didn't show aggression, but she talked me through controlling him and by the time the second one came in, he obviously thought this is no fun and lay down, she asked if he spent a lot of time lying down which he does, when i replied yes she told me to leave him down then she walked up and down past and although he was alert he was a star!  now all this is on lead and we only used distraction!  I was with her an hour on a 1:1 and next Thursday we're going for another hour and then she thinks we can introduce him to class.  Although the first week she suggests we just attend but not train.  I was impressed both with him and her.  I've been trying to get him to do a down and he wouldn't, yes you guessed it first time for her!  We did heelwork, recall and I can't remember what else I am on yet another high! two days in a row things must be looking up!

That's great news Lesley. I'm so glad you found someone you like and that Biscuit's future as a social star looks promising. I bet Biscuit is glad he found someone like you. :)

Wonderful - life is on the up again :)

That is great news Craigles I am really pleased for you both a real confidence boost.