Discussion
I'll try to keep it brief.
Skye Terrier - the breed is known for being reserved, preferring it's own family and immediate friends.
Ours is now 6 years old, she has always barked a bit at other dogs and people she doesn't know but it's getting worse.
She was socialised with a lot of other dogs from an early age but still tended to bark at many of them.
A few years ago she was attacked by a Border Terrier and prior to that, in one garden we used to pass there was a black lab with an evil snarl & bark that frightened her.
It's reached the stage now where she barks at other dogs unless she really knows them (we have a Cocker cross and previously a Springer) but also at strangers and even at places where she knows there's a dog or where she once saw one!
We've tried everything we know but it's reached the stage where you walk out with her always looking out for other dogs and trying to avoid them. Apparently she can probably sense our anxiety but having her on a lead snapping and snarling at something often much bigger than her is a worry.
Any suggestions? We don't often let her off the lead as her recall is not 100%.
Skye Terrier - the breed is known for being reserved, preferring it's own family and immediate friends.
Ours is now 6 years old, she has always barked a bit at other dogs and people she doesn't know but it's getting worse.
She was socialised with a lot of other dogs from an early age but still tended to bark at many of them.
A few years ago she was attacked by a Border Terrier and prior to that, in one garden we used to pass there was a black lab with an evil snarl & bark that frightened her.
It's reached the stage now where she barks at other dogs unless she really knows them (we have a Cocker cross and previously a Springer) but also at strangers and even at places where she knows there's a dog or where she once saw one!
We've tried everything we know but it's reached the stage where you walk out with her always looking out for other dogs and trying to avoid them. Apparently she can probably sense our anxiety but having her on a lead snapping and snarling at something often much bigger than her is a worry.
Any suggestions? We don't often let her off the lead as her recall is not 100%.
Interested in any advice, as have a similar issue with our just 1 year old Schnauzer, very vocal at the sight of any dogs on a walk, ok once he gets to them, but no matter what I try in distraction techniques, it makes no difference.
Getting stressful now, and whilst our 5 year old was pretty similar, and just calmed down over time, this pup is showing no signs of letting up.
I can't walk them both together on my own, as the little one gets on one, and then sets the older one off, so its multiple walks in the morning , its getting embarrassing constantly telling other dog owners he's just excited, and not harmful, which he's not.
Getting stressful now, and whilst our 5 year old was pretty similar, and just calmed down over time, this pup is showing no signs of letting up.
I can't walk them both together on my own, as the little one gets on one, and then sets the older one off, so its multiple walks in the morning , its getting embarrassing constantly telling other dog owners he's just excited, and not harmful, which he's not.
Sympathy Rigga
Yes, I don't think our wee dog would actually do anything although she has snapped at the Cocker cross but only when the young pup jumped on her playfully. Used to snap at the Springer too as she used to barge around.
I won't walk the two dogs together either. While the Spaniel is fine on her own except pulls a lot, the Skye could initiate a fight she couldn't get out of.
Reached the stage now that if we have to pass another dog (usually bigger dog) she's leaping about and barking, sounds viscous, it's like she's trying to get in a warning shot before being attacked. Inevitable the other stranger dog will then snarl back or sometimes look with an air of distain but I end up apologising.
This morning we were on a walk past a place where there is probably more than one dog, not sure never seen them. She knew there were dogs in a shed/barn though and started this mad barking which set the unseen ones off!
Last week walking in the Lake District was a nightmare everyone has dogs out there. I said it's the last holiday I'm going on!
Interestingly, we went to a dog day a couple of months ago where there were 1000's of different dogs. Other than a couple of times she was silent....
Yes, I don't think our wee dog would actually do anything although she has snapped at the Cocker cross but only when the young pup jumped on her playfully. Used to snap at the Springer too as she used to barge around.
I won't walk the two dogs together either. While the Spaniel is fine on her own except pulls a lot, the Skye could initiate a fight she couldn't get out of.
Reached the stage now that if we have to pass another dog (usually bigger dog) she's leaping about and barking, sounds viscous, it's like she's trying to get in a warning shot before being attacked. Inevitable the other stranger dog will then snarl back or sometimes look with an air of distain but I end up apologising.
This morning we were on a walk past a place where there is probably more than one dog, not sure never seen them. She knew there were dogs in a shed/barn though and started this mad barking which set the unseen ones off!
Last week walking in the Lake District was a nightmare everyone has dogs out there. I said it's the last holiday I'm going on!
Interestingly, we went to a dog day a couple of months ago where there were 1000's of different dogs. Other than a couple of times she was silent....
Skyedriver said:
Reached the stage now that if we have to pass another dog (usually bigger dog) she's leaping about and barking, sounds viscous, it's like she's trying to get in a warning shot before being attacked.
It may be exactly that. It sounds a bit like fear aggression, which would fit with having been attacked.One of my dogs (no longer with us) had it quite badly. Trips out where there would be other dogs were really stressful for him. We were lucky in that we have our own land where we can exercise our dogs, so (rightly or wrongly) we didn't need to address it in the end.
Always worth getting a vet check if behaviour has changed (you say it's getting worse), just in case there's an underlying medical cause. Assuming there's not, best to consult a qualified dog behaviourist - they often have 'stooge' dogs that they can use.
Good luck
Skyedriver said:
I'll try to keep it brief.
Skye Terrier - the breed is known for being reserved, preferring it's own family and immediate friends.
Ours is now 6 years old, she has always barked a bit at other dogs and people she doesn't know but it's getting worse.
She was socialised with a lot of other dogs from an early age but still tended to bark at many of them.
A few years ago she was attacked by a Border Terrier and prior to that, in one garden we used to pass there was a black lab with an evil snarl & bark that frightened her.
It's reached the stage now where she barks at other dogs unless she really knows them (we have a Cocker cross and previously a Springer) but also at strangers and even at places where she knows there's a dog or where she once saw one!
We've tried everything we know but it's reached the stage where you walk out with her always looking out for other dogs and trying to avoid them. Apparently she can probably sense our anxiety but having her on a lead snapping and snarling at something often much bigger than her is a worry.
Any suggestions? We don't often let her off the lead as her recall is not 100%.
Does the dog bark at other dogs is they are off the lead? Skye Terrier - the breed is known for being reserved, preferring it's own family and immediate friends.
Ours is now 6 years old, she has always barked a bit at other dogs and people she doesn't know but it's getting worse.
She was socialised with a lot of other dogs from an early age but still tended to bark at many of them.
A few years ago she was attacked by a Border Terrier and prior to that, in one garden we used to pass there was a black lab with an evil snarl & bark that frightened her.
It's reached the stage now where she barks at other dogs unless she really knows them (we have a Cocker cross and previously a Springer) but also at strangers and even at places where she knows there's a dog or where she once saw one!
We've tried everything we know but it's reached the stage where you walk out with her always looking out for other dogs and trying to avoid them. Apparently she can probably sense our anxiety but having her on a lead snapping and snarling at something often much bigger than her is a worry.
Any suggestions? We don't often let her off the lead as her recall is not 100%.
As she has been attacked before, being on the lead limits their options to get away and therefore often they will choose to be aggressive to warn off the other dog.
We have two dogs and in some situations on the lead they will go ballistic at certain dogs, and other times they will be fine and not care at all. The issue we have is that they feed off each other which can make things worse.
You can get train them to trust dogs again while on the lead. Going to see a behaviourist will teach you some skills to get them to trust other dogs. While it might not be 100% successful it will make your walks more enjoyable. The other option is to try and avoid those situations all together.
I've posted this before and it won't fix your problems, but perhaps one of the red/yellow Caution/Unfriendly leads/collars would help?
Our lab is keen to say hello to everything, but if the other dog is on a lead, I'll call her to heel.
If the other dog is muzzled (or has one of the above leads on) or the other owner/dog is stressed, I'll chuck the slip lead on her for a few minutes - less stress for owners and dogs alike.
Our lab is keen to say hello to everything, but if the other dog is on a lead, I'll call her to heel.
If the other dog is muzzled (or has one of the above leads on) or the other owner/dog is stressed, I'll chuck the slip lead on her for a few minutes - less stress for owners and dogs alike.
Challo said:
Does the dog bark at other dogs is they are off the lead?
As she has been attacked before, being on the lead limits their options to get away and therefore often they will choose to be aggressive to warn off the other dog.
We have two dogs and in some situations on the lead they will go ballistic at certain dogs, and other times they will be fine and not care at all. The issue we have is that they feed off each other which can make things worse.
You can get train them to trust dogs again while on the lead. Going to see a behaviourist will teach you some skills to get them to trust other dogs. While it might not be 100% successful it will make your walks more enjoyable. The other option is to try and avoid those situations all together.
Yes barks at other dogs on or off the lead, also people (on or off their lead) and now places where she knows a dog may be!. As she has been attacked before, being on the lead limits their options to get away and therefore often they will choose to be aggressive to warn off the other dog.
We have two dogs and in some situations on the lead they will go ballistic at certain dogs, and other times they will be fine and not care at all. The issue we have is that they feed off each other which can make things worse.
You can get train them to trust dogs again while on the lead. Going to see a behaviourist will teach you some skills to get them to trust other dogs. While it might not be 100% successful it will make your walks more enjoyable. The other option is to try and avoid those situations all together.
She'd possibly be better off a lead BUT her recall can be hit/miss sometimes.
If things are going well, we'll let her go up to another dog but those occasions are few and far between and you don't want to cause a problem with the other owner/dog. She can start to bark when she sees a dog 100m away, we often try to screen her as long as we can.
Skyedriver said:
Yes barks at other dogs on or off the lead, also people (on or off their lead) and now places where she knows a dog may be!.
She'd possibly be better off a lead BUT her recall can be hit/miss sometimes.
If things are going well, we'll let her go up to another dog but those occasions are few and far between and you don't want to cause a problem with the other owner/dog. She can start to bark when she sees a dog 100m away, we often try to screen her as long as we can.
I would definitely go and see a behavioural expert. While they might not fix it 100%, they will help understand the trigger points, and how to mitigate themShe'd possibly be better off a lead BUT her recall can be hit/miss sometimes.
If things are going well, we'll let her go up to another dog but those occasions are few and far between and you don't want to cause a problem with the other owner/dog. She can start to bark when she sees a dog 100m away, we often try to screen her as long as we can.
We've inherited a reactive 7 y/o dog, tolerable relationship with our dog, needs time to settle with fresh dogs.
Taking it very very easy, a couple of phrases that a dogs trust trainer keeps coming to mind.
"set them up to succeed" and "celebrate successes"
So for us baby steps and a dog trainer it is. All the best, hope it goes well.
Taking it very very easy, a couple of phrases that a dogs trust trainer keeps coming to mind.
"set them up to succeed" and "celebrate successes"
So for us baby steps and a dog trainer it is. All the best, hope it goes well.
Skyedriver said:
Boosted LS1 said:
When the dog's barking is the tail wagging? Are the ears laid back or alert and forward?
Yes.Not sure if she want's to be friends or looking forward to a fight....
TBH I sometimes think it's the former. But don't want to take the risk.
He looks like he wants to be friends but is instantly ready to fight if the other dogs reaction is negative.
Can't let him off the lead just in case.
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