Dog walking problems

[Susie B]

I'm having a problem with my rescue, Missy. When we go on our walks, she jumps, lunges, and paws at her "gentle leader" when she sees another dog. She is fine with the dogs she has already met (playful), but not with those she has not. She is good with other dogs, I had another older mix, Dooley, and she goes to daycare 1x per week and plays all day with a variety of dogs. There are no problems there. Some owners know their dogs and don't want to meet which is find and I applaud their efforts, others are scared of her behavior. Missy is half way through advanced obedience and doesn't display this behavior in class at all. She is actually doing quite well. I just don't know what to do about the walking situation. I have begun to walk her during active times to try to de-sensitize this response. She is only 18 months old and I've only had her 5 months and she has improved tremendously since I've had her. It's just that now since it's summer, it's much more active outside.

Sorry to ramble and thanks for your time.

Susie

[Lesly Stevens]

I went through this with Bo, also a rescue. Rather than allow him to react when coming upon another dog, I walked slowly in an arc to the left, putting myself between the on-coming dog and Bo, and walking away from the other dog. I first determined the distance of his comfort level, which enabled me to distract or redirect him within that comfort zone. I used treats and toys as a reward, and we went out every single day, twice a day when I could. I used calming signals - like yawning, turning my head, moving slowly. Pay close attention to your body language - if you're feeling anxious or tense as you see another dog approaching, it travels down the leash, triggering the very behavior you don't want. We also practiced being around other dogs by hanging out in the parking lot of places like Petsmart, again, keeping him within his comfort zone. The goal was exposure to lots of other dogs without any negative behavior - like lunging, barking, etc., which in itself is self-rewarding, and perpetuates more of the same.

Sounds like Missy's doing really well. Keep up the good work!

Lesly, Maddy, & Bo



I'm having a problem with my rescue, Missy. When we go on our walks, she jumps, lunges, and paws at her "gentle leader" when she sees another dog. She is fine with the dogs she has already met (playful), but not with those she has not. She is good with other dogs, I had another older mix, Dooley, and she goes to daycare 1x per week and plays all day with a variety of dogs. There are no problems there. Some owners know their dogs and don't want to meet which is find and I applaud their efforts, others are scared of her behavior. Missy is half way through advanced obedience and doesn't display this behavior in class at all. She is actually doing quite well. I just don't know what to do about the walking situation. I have begun to walk her during active times to try to de-sensitize this response. She is only 18 months old and I've only had her 5 months and she has improved tremendously since I've had her. It's just that now since it's summer, it's much more active outside.

Sorry to ramble and thanks for your time.

Susie

[Susie B]

Thanks for the response. I've been doing a lot of reading on the dog signals and I need to incorporate more of them into the training program. Our instructor did show us several the other day and I think the subject is just fascinating! We'll try going to Petsmart, as that's just down the road for us, and work on her comfort zone.

[Renee Premaza]

Hi Susie!

Just curious - with all the obedience training you've done, has your instructor taught you exercises to work on loose-leash walking with Missy so you wouldn't have to use the gentle leader?

How would you describe her behavior when she sees unfamiliar dogs - is she excited like she wants to go and play with them? Is she barking and seems to see strange dogs as a negative?

What is *your* reaction when Missy behaves this way?

Is it possible for you to ask your obedience instructor to help you one-on-one when you're out on walks so that she can give you directions on keeping Missy calmer?

One suggestion I would make to you is to purchase a product called "The Comfort Zone" spray. This is filled with dog appeasement pheromones, which is something a mother dog releases when she's nursing her puppies to keep the pups calm. Get a bandana and spray it with The Comfort Zone and then put the bandana around Missy's neck. The spray generally has about 1 to 1 1/2 hours calming effect. I use this spray in my obedience classes to keep the dogs calm and focused. I will spray the pant-legs of all the dog owners and it absolutely works beautifully. If you want information on dog appeasement pheromones, please click on this link:

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn4923

To purchase this product at reasonable prices, click here:

http://www.discountpetdrugs .com/feliwayanddap.html?

For information about handling dogs that are onlead and having problems, click on these links:
http://www.clickersolutions .com/articles/2001b/desensitizing.htm
http://www.flyingdogpress.c om/onldagg.html

Of utmost importance is training your dog to pay attention to you. If you go to our articles pages, print out the article in the obedience pages for the Attention Game.

Also, implement the Nothing in Life is Free program (also in our articles pages) to teach your dog that she should look to you for all good things. This will help your relationship so that she sees you as being responsible for making all major decisions affecting her life.

I hope this helps!

I'm having a problem with my rescue, Missy. When we go on our walks, she jumps, lunges, and paws at her "gentle leader" when she sees another dog. She is fine with the dogs she has already met (playful), but not with those she has not. She is good with other dogs, I had another older mix, Dooley, and she goes to daycare 1x per week and plays all day with a variety of dogs. There are no problems there. Some owners know their dogs and don't want to meet which is find and I applaud their efforts, others are scared of her behavior. Missy is half way through advanced obedience and doesn't display this behavior in class at all. She is actually doing quite well. I just don't know what to do about the walking situation. I have begun to walk her during active times to try to de-sensitize this response. She is only 18 months old and I've only had her 5 months and she has improved tremendously since I've had her. It's just that now since it's summer, it's much more active outside.

Sorry to ramble and thanks for your time.

Susie