Discussion
Hi
Anybody any suggestions on resources I could read or thoughts on the following
I’m a first time dog owner so not experienced though have had my dog for nearly 3 years
He is a large (40kg) male labradoodle, three years old
No health issues and is neutered
Always been around dogs since he was born and goes to dog day care 3 days a week so plays with a wide mix of breads. Never had any issues there at all and sometimes boards overnight which he loves
No aggression issues in the house and is a gentle sole. Loves people if you are in the pub and is especially gentle around kids and older people…. but!
Over the last few (maybe 3) months he has started to bark at people and other dogs in the immediate vicinity of our house. Could be start or at the end of a hr walk. This is mainly people and dogs he sees all the time so not strangers. He pulls at the other dogs and being big is a handful when he does it.
He hasn’t been attacked so that isnt the trigger. if he gets to the other dogs he mainly just wants to play, but sometimes barks and given his size it’s not great for the other dog or owner.
On walks away from the house, there are no issues and 95% of the time it’s other dogs who react to him.
Before I go down the route of a behaviourist, thoughts or reading material would be appreciated.
Anybody any suggestions on resources I could read or thoughts on the following
I’m a first time dog owner so not experienced though have had my dog for nearly 3 years
He is a large (40kg) male labradoodle, three years old
No health issues and is neutered
Always been around dogs since he was born and goes to dog day care 3 days a week so plays with a wide mix of breads. Never had any issues there at all and sometimes boards overnight which he loves
No aggression issues in the house and is a gentle sole. Loves people if you are in the pub and is especially gentle around kids and older people…. but!
Over the last few (maybe 3) months he has started to bark at people and other dogs in the immediate vicinity of our house. Could be start or at the end of a hr walk. This is mainly people and dogs he sees all the time so not strangers. He pulls at the other dogs and being big is a handful when he does it.
He hasn’t been attacked so that isnt the trigger. if he gets to the other dogs he mainly just wants to play, but sometimes barks and given his size it’s not great for the other dog or owner.
On walks away from the house, there are no issues and 95% of the time it’s other dogs who react to him.
Before I go down the route of a behaviourist, thoughts or reading material would be appreciated.
CAH706 said:
Hi
Anybody any suggestions on resources I could read or thoughts on the following
I’m a first time dog owner so not experienced though have had my dog for nearly 3 years
He is a large (40kg) male labradoodle, three years old
No health issues and is neutered
Always been around dogs since he was born and goes to dog day care 3 days a week so plays with a wide mix of breads. Never had any issues there at all and sometimes boards overnight which he loves
No aggression issues in the house and is a gentle sole. Loves people if you are in the pub and is especially gentle around kids and older people…. but!
Over the last few (maybe 3) months he has started to bark at people and other dogs in the immediate vicinity of our house. Could be start or at the end of a hr walk. This is mainly people and dogs he sees all the time so not strangers. He pulls at the other dogs and being big is a handful when he does it.
He hasn’t been attacked so that isnt the trigger. if he gets to the other dogs he mainly just wants to play, but sometimes barks and given his size it’s not great for the other dog or owner.
On walks away from the house, there are no issues and 95% of the time it’s other dogs who react to him.
Before I go down the route of a behaviourist, thoughts or reading material would be appreciated.
Is the behaviour on the lead or off the lead? Anybody any suggestions on resources I could read or thoughts on the following
I’m a first time dog owner so not experienced though have had my dog for nearly 3 years
He is a large (40kg) male labradoodle, three years old
No health issues and is neutered
Always been around dogs since he was born and goes to dog day care 3 days a week so plays with a wide mix of breads. Never had any issues there at all and sometimes boards overnight which he loves
No aggression issues in the house and is a gentle sole. Loves people if you are in the pub and is especially gentle around kids and older people…. but!
Over the last few (maybe 3) months he has started to bark at people and other dogs in the immediate vicinity of our house. Could be start or at the end of a hr walk. This is mainly people and dogs he sees all the time so not strangers. He pulls at the other dogs and being big is a handful when he does it.
He hasn’t been attacked so that isnt the trigger. if he gets to the other dogs he mainly just wants to play, but sometimes barks and given his size it’s not great for the other dog or owner.
On walks away from the house, there are no issues and 95% of the time it’s other dogs who react to him.
Before I go down the route of a behaviourist, thoughts or reading material would be appreciated.
Hi, it’s on the lead. It’s basically when we are leaving our house or coming home. Live in a small village and our house is in a small collection of 15 houses.
We’ve been here a little over 2 years and up until recently the dogs he saw he was ok with. Same dogs now seem to trigger him!
His behaviour is good on walks and good at day care so I suspect it’s guarding/territorial behaviour. I’m not expert enough though so may need to get someone in to help though ideally wanted to try and solve myself first.
Thanks for reading and the response
We’ve been here a little over 2 years and up until recently the dogs he saw he was ok with. Same dogs now seem to trigger him!
His behaviour is good on walks and good at day care so I suspect it’s guarding/territorial behaviour. I’m not expert enough though so may need to get someone in to help though ideally wanted to try and solve myself first.
Thanks for reading and the response
CAH706 said:
Hi, it’s on the lead. It’s basically when we are leaving our house or coming home. Live in a small village and our house is in a small collection of 15 houses.
We’ve been here a little over 2 years and up until recently the dogs he saw he was ok with. Same dogs now seem to trigger him!
His behaviour is good on walks and good at day care so I suspect it’s guarding/territorial behaviour. I’m not expert enough though so may need to get someone in to help though ideally wanted to try and solve myself first.
Thanks for reading and the response
I suspect like you say its guarding/territory of your house. That is where he lives and trying to protect it from other dogs/people. We’ve been here a little over 2 years and up until recently the dogs he saw he was ok with. Same dogs now seem to trigger him!
His behaviour is good on walks and good at day care so I suspect it’s guarding/territorial behaviour. I’m not expert enough though so may need to get someone in to help though ideally wanted to try and solve myself first.
Thanks for reading and the response
Being on the lead also can make things worse because they feel restricted and therefore its the attack / defend type feeling. I suspect if he was off the lead it would be different but as its near home you cannot do that. I don't think it would be a bad thing to see a behaviourist, as they will defiantly give you better ideas on what causing it and how to over come it.
If he is great out normally, and in day care I wouldn't worry to much, but best to see someone just in case.
I have the similar issue with my two dogs. At times they are great, no issues at all, but on the flip side they can be awful on the lead growling / lurching at dogs. Being together also makes it worse as they feed off each other and have a pack mentality. We used a behaviourist to teach them better behaviours when around other dogs, but also the skills we need to mitigate it and avoid certain situations.
Challo said:
CAH706 said:
Hi, it’s on the lead. It’s basically when we are leaving our house or coming home. Live in a small village and our house is in a small collection of 15 houses.
We’ve been here a little over 2 years and up until recently the dogs he saw he was ok with. Same dogs now seem to trigger him!
His behaviour is good on walks and good at day care so I suspect it’s guarding/territorial behaviour. I’m not expert enough though so may need to get someone in to help though ideally wanted to try and solve myself first.
Thanks for reading and the response
I suspect like you say its guarding/territory of your house. That is where he lives and trying to protect it from other dogs/people. We’ve been here a little over 2 years and up until recently the dogs he saw he was ok with. Same dogs now seem to trigger him!
His behaviour is good on walks and good at day care so I suspect it’s guarding/territorial behaviour. I’m not expert enough though so may need to get someone in to help though ideally wanted to try and solve myself first.
Thanks for reading and the response
Being on the lead also can make things worse because they feel restricted and therefore its the attack / defend type feeling. I suspect if he was off the lead it would be different but as its near home you cannot do that. I don't think it would be a bad thing to see a behaviourist, as they will defiantly give you better ideas on what causing it and how to over come it.
If he is great out normally, and in day care I wouldn't worry to much, but best to see someone just in case.
I have the similar issue with my two dogs. At times they are great, no issues at all, but on the flip side they can be awful on the lead growling / lurching at dogs. Being together also makes it worse as they feed off each other and have a pack mentality. We used a behaviourist to teach them better behaviours when around other dogs, but also the skills we need to mitigate it and avoid certain situations.
We have a couple of well regarded dog experts locally so I’ll get in touch with them and book some time in.
CAH706 said:
Thanks for taking the time to reply, sort of confirms my thoughts.
We have a couple of well regarded dog experts locally so I’ll get in touch with them and book some time in.
No problem at all. No doubt there will be someone that could recommend some good books, but I thought that might make things worse if you didn't know what you where doing. We have a couple of well regarded dog experts locally so I’ll get in touch with them and book some time in.
A good behaviourist isn't cheap, it was worthwhile for me. Even though they haven't completely fixed the issue I now have a better understanding on why they behaviour in that scenario, plus i learned some new training techniques and skills to help me manage the situations in the long term.
Good luck.
Thanks again
I’ve taken him to the groomers today and he walked in with no issues with the dogs there. They always say how well behaved he is and loves to play with their dog.
I’ll get help in but I’m trying not to make a big deal of it as I suspect he senses my tension. I probably see it as a bigger deal than it is as he’s doing it with people I know!
On walks, he’s good as gold most of the time and the vast majority of times it’s other dogs pulling towards or barking at him
I’ve taken him to the groomers today and he walked in with no issues with the dogs there. They always say how well behaved he is and loves to play with their dog.
I’ll get help in but I’m trying not to make a big deal of it as I suspect he senses my tension. I probably see it as a bigger deal than it is as he’s doing it with people I know!
On walks, he’s good as gold most of the time and the vast majority of times it’s other dogs pulling towards or barking at him
Sporky said:
One of ours does it sometimes - only when on the lead and only near the house.
We've taken to loading her up with biscuits whenever another dog comes into view in such situations. If she barks they stop. The aim is for her to associate other dogs near the house with biscuits.
That was going to be my fix attempt as he’s led by his stomach We've taken to loading her up with biscuits whenever another dog comes into view in such situations. If she barks they stop. The aim is for her to associate other dogs near the house with biscuits.
maybe one to try whilst I wait for the dog chap to come and adviseWe have a similar problem.
Never a problem with other dogs at training but now out on walks he's started to be aggressive towards other dogs and occasionally at people.
He's a big Husky/Malamute cross and so it's not pleasant for other walkers.
I think it's an 'on the lead' issue but I'm not willing to risk him being off.
Our other dog, a Border Collie, is fine with people and dogs but manic when it comes to passing cars.
Never a problem with other dogs at training but now out on walks he's started to be aggressive towards other dogs and occasionally at people.
He's a big Husky/Malamute cross and so it's not pleasant for other walkers.
I think it's an 'on the lead' issue but I'm not willing to risk him being off.
Our other dog, a Border Collie, is fine with people and dogs but manic when it comes to passing cars.
The behaviour is called reactivity.
It's a bit of an investment, but can't recommend this enough - all online training.
https://wkdonlinedogtraining.com/
It's a bit of an investment, but can't recommend this enough - all online training.
https://wkdonlinedogtraining.com/
As a little revisit to this
I have a dog behaviour chap booked but not until the New Year. He is busy and id rather wait for someone good!
I've been working the last few days at having a treat to hand when I'm in the immediate vecininty of the house and getting my dog to focus on me (and the treat) when other dogs or people are nearby. No issues at all and despite some reactive dogs he's been perfect.
I'll keep working at this until I see the expert but this seems to be helping. If I say look at me he ignores everything else now
On the walk away from the house yesterday we met upwards of 20 dogs. 3 pulled towards him and another 2 barked and pulled towards him. No reaction at all from my dog - the 'issue' is really centered around the house or nearby.
To be honest, this challenge had been a good thing as it's made me revisit training etc and reminded me to keep discaplined. We've had more time together as well which is always a bonus
I have a dog behaviour chap booked but not until the New Year. He is busy and id rather wait for someone good!
I've been working the last few days at having a treat to hand when I'm in the immediate vecininty of the house and getting my dog to focus on me (and the treat) when other dogs or people are nearby. No issues at all and despite some reactive dogs he's been perfect.
I'll keep working at this until I see the expert but this seems to be helping. If I say look at me he ignores everything else now
On the walk away from the house yesterday we met upwards of 20 dogs. 3 pulled towards him and another 2 barked and pulled towards him. No reaction at all from my dog - the 'issue' is really centered around the house or nearby.
To be honest, this challenge had been a good thing as it's made me revisit training etc and reminded me to keep discaplined. We've had more time together as well which is always a bonus
parakitaMol. said:
I would not recommend dealing with this type of behaviour in this way - this might be a good resource for training but behaviour is more complex than an online advice - many things can go wrong and could easily be missed. Diagnosing 'reactivity' yourself or another layperson without full observation by a qualified behaviourist could miss something really important.
Take a look at it. It's not just watching a video and having a bash. You complete the online course, have 121 access to the WKD team via live chat, and have to submit videos of you and your dog to pass the course.Oddly our dog had just started doing the same, but anytime he is on the lead he had started barking at other dogs. He is a rescue and we have had him for almost three months.
I'think' I have managed to stop most of the behaviour. Whenever this happened, I got him to sit, reassured him and rewarded with a treat then continued walking. If he started again, same treatment. Always worried, this actually encourages the behaviour by getting a treat. But, I have been slowly removing the treats again and just getting him to sit. Quite quickly his behaviour changed.
Last couple of walks out and the behaviour has now stopped and back to relative normality.....
Just need to stop him pulling on the lead so much and eating anything which happens to be in our path...he has a strange attraction to eating used tissues.....uuuurrrggghhhh.
I'think' I have managed to stop most of the behaviour. Whenever this happened, I got him to sit, reassured him and rewarded with a treat then continued walking. If he started again, same treatment. Always worried, this actually encourages the behaviour by getting a treat. But, I have been slowly removing the treats again and just getting him to sit. Quite quickly his behaviour changed.
Last couple of walks out and the behaviour has now stopped and back to relative normality.....
Just need to stop him pulling on the lead so much and eating anything which happens to be in our path...he has a strange attraction to eating used tissues.....uuuurrrggghhhh.
CAH706 said:
Hi
Anybody any suggestions on resources I could read or thoughts on the following
I’m a first time dog owner so not experienced though have had my dog for nearly 3 years
He is a large (40kg) male labradoodle, three years old
No health issues and is neutered
Always been around dogs since he was born and goes to dog day care 3 days a week so plays with a wide mix of breads. Never had any issues there at all and sometimes boards overnight which he loves
No aggression issues in the house and is a gentle sole. Loves people if you are in the pub and is especially gentle around kids and older people…. but!
Over the last few (maybe 3) months he has started to bark at people and other dogs in the immediate vicinity of our house. Could be start or at the end of a hr walk. This is mainly people and dogs he sees all the time so not strangers. He pulls at the other dogs and being big is a handful when he does it.
He hasn’t been attacked so that isnt the trigger. if he gets to the other dogs he mainly just wants to play, but sometimes barks and given his size it’s not great for the other dog or owner.
On walks away from the house, there are no issues and 95% of the time it’s other dogs who react to him.
Before I go down the route of a behaviourist, thoughts or reading material would be appreciated.
I think this is territorial. Anybody any suggestions on resources I could read or thoughts on the following
I’m a first time dog owner so not experienced though have had my dog for nearly 3 years
He is a large (40kg) male labradoodle, three years old
No health issues and is neutered
Always been around dogs since he was born and goes to dog day care 3 days a week so plays with a wide mix of breads. Never had any issues there at all and sometimes boards overnight which he loves
No aggression issues in the house and is a gentle sole. Loves people if you are in the pub and is especially gentle around kids and older people…. but!
Over the last few (maybe 3) months he has started to bark at people and other dogs in the immediate vicinity of our house. Could be start or at the end of a hr walk. This is mainly people and dogs he sees all the time so not strangers. He pulls at the other dogs and being big is a handful when he does it.
He hasn’t been attacked so that isnt the trigger. if he gets to the other dogs he mainly just wants to play, but sometimes barks and given his size it’s not great for the other dog or owner.
On walks away from the house, there are no issues and 95% of the time it’s other dogs who react to him.
Before I go down the route of a behaviourist, thoughts or reading material would be appreciated.
It also might manifest rom your reaction when he does it as looking at the photo he is loyal
Have you tried approaching telling him to stop it differently? Does the other half struggle with this bit as the higher pitched voice sometimes doesn't help I found and saw with other females walking big dogs.
Apologies, I'm not sure how to multi quote on one post but answering the questions
If I let the lead go slack, he will pull to the dog. Never does anything other than lunge towards them. He doesn't bite
Thanks for the offer free help finding a dog behaviour chap. I've got one sorted now thanks
He's generally ok with anyone so not especially loyal to me though I spend most time with him due to my recent retirement and my wife being ill so not walking him as much at the minute. He's a bit of a softie really!
He has the same behaviour who ever walks him though is the best behaved with my 12 year old.
We unexpectedly met the dog from 2 houses down today. Appeared round the corner so caught me out a little. Bit of token lunge and a woof. Got him to sit whilst I spoke to the neighbour then let the dogs say hello when he had settled ..no issues at all.
Feels like I'm making progress.
Thanks again to everyone who has read and provided thoughts / advice. Really really helpful
If I let the lead go slack, he will pull to the dog. Never does anything other than lunge towards them. He doesn't bite
Thanks for the offer free help finding a dog behaviour chap. I've got one sorted now thanks
He's generally ok with anyone so not especially loyal to me though I spend most time with him due to my recent retirement and my wife being ill so not walking him as much at the minute. He's a bit of a softie really!
He has the same behaviour who ever walks him though is the best behaved with my 12 year old.
We unexpectedly met the dog from 2 houses down today. Appeared round the corner so caught me out a little. Bit of token lunge and a woof. Got him to sit whilst I spoke to the neighbour then let the dogs say hello when he had settled ..no issues at all.
Feels like I'm making progress.
Thanks again to everyone who has read and provided thoughts / advice. Really really helpful
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff