Dog barking at other dogs whilst out on walks.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Anyone know some techniques to stop my dog barking aggressively at other dogs?

I got him from a rescue centre in August and at first he never bothered other dogs. However, over the last few months, he barks at other dogs whilst out on walks.

If another dog is coming along the street, I find that it's easier to cross over the road than walk past the dog.

pawsies

http://functionalrewards.com/

look up BAT dog training

or LAT dog training, both different techniques but similar names

http://clickerleash.wordpress.com/2009/08/23/look-at-that-a-counterintuitive-approach-to-dealing-with-reactive-dogs/

pawsies

sorry, that's presuming he's barking as he wants the other dog to get away and NOT because he wants to play.

do you know his intentions?

krlyr

http://www.youtube.com/kikopup

Emily does some fab videos on dog reactivity (and think they apply no matter the reason - whether it's through fear or overexcitement)

Lieja

My old dog started doing this and I read that it if it's a new reaction then it can come as a response to the owner's actions when another dog appears. We had a second dog that was quite aggressive with other dogs so when walking my natural reaction was to be very wary around anyone else and make sure both dogs where out of the way of other animals. Apparently the dog can sense negative reactions towards other animals and feels that it has to take charge (barking or behaving aggressively) to protect the owner. The advice I got was to be totally relaxed around other animals and make sure that the dog knows that you're able to protect yourself and him from any threats.

Saying that, I never really got a chance to see if this worked as my dog passed away not long after. Might be worth just concentrating on things like body language and tone of voice etc to see if it makes any difference?

the_devil_made_me_do_it

lieja..so sorry to hear about your dog, it's so upsetting when they pass away.

I found a video on youtube which showed a good way of stopping the dog showing aggression towards other dogs. Basically, you distract your dog using some form of reward (ie: food).

I tried this method and it did work to a point, although I need to work on when to start distracting my dog.

However, today I was walking past a man with 2 large dogs & whilst I was distracting my dog, one of his decided to lunge at my dog. This in turn caused my dog to forget about the treat and lunge back at it.

Before we actually approached him, he hadn't made any effort to make passing him easy. So, although my dog was behaving himself, the guy put us all in a very compromising position.

So, although my dog may behave himself, how do you deal with other dogs showing aggression towards my dog?

Lieja

If another dog shows aggression then I think it's perfectly reasonable for your dog to defend himself! I was always super careful with my aggressive dog and crossed roads, jumped into hedges etc to keep her away from other dogs. I know lots of people don't though, and she did once get attacked by an aggressive dog who was off-lead while I was trying to get her our of the way. Safe to say the other dog ran away with its tail between its legs! I found the biggest problem were the 'oh my dog is perfectly friendly' people, who never quite understood that maybe mine wasn't! I have a pup now and he's brilliant with other dogs, but I would never let him run up to another dog without knowing for sure they'll be ok. At the end of the day, dogs are animals and aggression is a perfectly natural reaction for them. I don't think there's a lot you can do about his reaction to other dogs, other than try to make him feel reassured that you're the 'alpha' and will protect him, not the other way around. Out of curiosity, what breed and age is your dog?

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Oh yes..there are plenty of silly dog owners out there who think every dog is friends with theirs.

My dog is approx 7 & is a Bedlington Whippet cross. I got him from a local rescue center, so I don't really have a clue about what he has been through, what he has been trained to do ect. The only thing I do know is he is trained to sit and give his paw when he's offered a treat

Better_Off_1983

I get alot of dogs barking at mine! Mainly small toy dogs like Poodles and Yorkshire Terriers!

My dog is a large breed and he is well socialised. He is cage trained, he goes to sleep in his cage at night and if we go out he is in his cage. We will leave the radio or telly on so he does not feel like he is neglected.

My dog is 'out' of his cage throughout the day for 15+ hours a day and he is always milling about in the house or sleeping in front of the fire.

Basically, your dog needs alot of interaction. If I am walking along side another dog, I will hold mine back or distract him to keep his eyes on me. Other dogs yap at him, but he just wants to look at them and just ignores them as he walks by and does not make a peep.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

My dog gets plenty of interaction, that isn't the problem.

Person_one

Better_Off_1983 wrote: »

My dog is 'out' of his cage throughout the day for 15+ hours a day and he is always milling about in the house or sleeping in front of the fire.

Your dog is shut in a cage for 9 hours or more every day?

I know its fashionable at the moment, but I just can't get onboard with it.