[Johita]

Hello everyone. So, I'm new to owning a dog - Aolani is my first ever pup - and I have been tryin gto slowly socialize him. He gets walked early in the morning and then in the evening as well. He loves walks and each time I say "wanna go for a walk" he jumps up and runs for the door. The thing is, he goes crazy when he sees someone walking towards us and when he sees another dog as well. I have been somewhat successful at getting his attention right when he sees or know that someone is nearby, but most of the time I can't and I have to walk away with him. Well, there is this culdesac when I give him more leasg and he and I run around like maniacs and today I noitced that the dog that lives in the corner house of that culdesac was out but that his owner was with him and telling him to stay. Then all of a sudden the dog decided it didn't want to stay anymore and took off in mine and Aolani's direction. Aolani was barking up a storm and I was scared out of my mind. I had a treat in my hand and tried getting the dog (french bulldog) away from us byt throwing it away from us on the ground, but he was so interested in Aolani and totally ignored the treat. At this point I had already picked up Aolani and the frenchy was standing up against my legs wanting to get a better look at him. Perhaps he just wanted to play, but I wasn't sure so I just held Aolani and tried to stay as calm as possible. The frenchy's owner finally came by and got her pup and I told her that I was holding Aolani becuase he would attack (but really it was because I wasn't sure if the frenchy was friendly or not and I also did fear that since Aolani hasn't been well socialized yet with other dogs that he might freak out too). So, after the ordeal ended and the frenchy was back home we started walking home and I got to thinking, what if it happens again? What should I do? Shoudl I carry bigger treats with me to try to lure other dogs away or should I allow Aolani the opportunity to socialize? If anyone can chime in, I'd appreciate any suggestions/feedback. Oh and fyi, we are scheduled to meet with a trainer soon to see if her program fits our needs.

 

[Silkmalteselover]

Well I sure don't know what to say... I will let others give their advice.. The only thing I want to say is just how EXTRA CUTE your Aolani is!!!!:wub::wub: Jeanne

 

[Johita]

Well I sure don't know what to say... I will let others give their advice.. The only thing I want to say is just how EXTRA CUTE your Aolani is!!!!:wub::wub: Jeanne

LOL, well thank you kindly - Aolani and I really appreciate it :wub:

 

[CloudClan]

This is reactive behavior. I am working on this problem with Cadeau and will be taking him to Pat Miller's Reactive Rover camp in just over a week. We are also taking a class for reactive dogs that focuses on social skills. Getting Aolani treats just before he actually reacts would be part of the process, but once he starts reacting you do not want to reward it, what you want is to get him out of dodge as fast as you can.

The frenchie was definately encroaching on your space and I know there was not much you can do. This is why owners should use leashes unless they have complete control over their dogs. Imagine if you owned a larger reactive dog that you could not have picked up, that frenchie could have been toast.

I would encourage you to look into some books on dealing with reactive dogs. Pat Miller's work does have some chapters on it, Ali Brown has a title called Scardy Dog, there is a book called Click to Calm. Those are from the top of my head. There are many others.

After our trip to camp I will see if I have any other ideas for you. Good luck.

 

[Johita]

This is reactive behavior. I am working on this problem with Cadeau and will be taking him to Pat Miller's Reactive Rover camp in just over a week. We are also taking a class for reactive dogs that focuses on social skills. Getting Aolani treats just before he actually reacts would be part of the process, but once he starts reacting you do not want to reward it, what you want is to get him out of dodge as fast as you can.

The frenchie was definately encroaching on your space and I know there was not much you can do. This is why owners should use leashes unless they have complete control over their dogs. Imagine if you owned a larger reactive dog that you could not have picked up, that frenchie could have been toast.

I would encourage you to look into some books on dealing with reactive dogs. Pat Miller's work does have some chapters on it, Ali Brown has a title called Scardy Dog, there is a book called Click to Calm. Those are from the top of my head. There are many others.

After our trip to camp I will see if I have any other ideas for you. Good luck.

Thank you so much Carina. Perhaps that's one of my problems - I treat him once I have his focus, but if he does react and I walk him away from the situation and he calms down I treat him again for calming down. I guess that can be confusing him. I would also love to attend one of Pat Miller's workshops and looked into June but at the time I looked it was already full. If October is still open we might go then, but can't wait to hear what tips you get at the camp soon. I will def. look into the books you suggested and that reminds me, I did have a clicker when i first took Aolani to puppy class - wonder where that went??? I'll just get a new one, they're inexpensive but very valuable too.

 

[sophie]

Oh, my! That must have been very scary!

Carina, is there an on-line resource that might list the locations of upcoming training seminars? I never see anything like that in my area.

Linda

 

[iheartbisou]

This is reactive behavior. I am working on this problem with Cadeau and will be taking him to Pat Miller's Reactive Rover camp in just over a week. We are also taking a class for reactive dogs that focuses on social skills. Getting Aolani treats just before he actually reacts would be part of the process, but once he starts reacting you do not want to reward it, what you want is to get him out of dodge as fast as you can.

The frenchie was definately encroaching on your space and I know there was not much you can do. This is why owners should use leashes unless they have complete control over their dogs. Imagine if you owned a larger reactive dog that you could not have picked up, that frenchie could have been toast.

I would encourage you to look into some books on dealing with reactive dogs. Pat Miller's work does have some chapters on it, Ali Brown has a title called Scardy Dog, there is a book called Click to Calm. Those are from the top of my head. There are many others.

After our trip to camp I will see if I have any other ideas for you. Good luck.

good post and advice.

Good luck with the training.

We have this problem a lot here..but it's not Bisou who is not reactive at all towards other dogs (and always on a leash)..it's almost every other dog who are never on leashes (evidently a lot of the locals have told me they think it's cruel. okay whatever? in downtown of a 19.2M people city...hmmm?... anyway I digress). So I"m always having to pick bisou up when these dogs come charging agressively at her- and the owners are usually laughing or blowing it off. It's terrifying.

 

[Lacie's Mom]

I don't have any suggestions, but I know that I would have been frightened. Glad that you were able to pick Aolani up before the Frenchie got to you.

 

[Canada]

I agree, I would always pick up a small dog if an unknown, unleashed dog came at him/her.
Because you never know, better safe than really sorry.

Great advice from Carina. And Carina, do you think that some dogs are wired (born) to be reactive??

 

[theboyz]

I am glad everything turned out OK and know how scared you were!
Chase is our problem walker and can be aggressive. He is deaf and so our commands don't work with him.
We tried a Gentle Leader and after a few days Chase is walking like a dream. No more problems....
Bob just took him out on his regular leash and collar and he walked great! I think it was a great learning tool for him and we will use it now and then.

 

[princessre]

When we are at the beach, we sometimes get big unleashed dogs who charge our fluffs and their owners never get why this is such a "big deal." I always pick my babies up for their safety. "Scaredy Dog" is a good book dealing with this subject matter.

 

[CrystalAndZoe]

Aw I'm sorry this happened. It is scary.

Carina I so wish I was going to this boot camp with you! Oh if my Zoe could no longer be reactive.rayer: Look forward to your report after you get back.

Ok..a couple of new books to add to my list.:thumbsup:

 

[uniquelovdolce]

ooo wow that is scary !!! i would have picked up dolce too , dolce is usually good w other dogs even big ones but i learned here its not safe because we really dont know how the bigger dog might react or even playing they might hurt our fluffs..

 

[Johita]

Oh, my! That must have been very scary!

Carina, is there an on-line resource that might list the locations of upcoming training seminars? I never see anything like that in my area.

Linda

Thank you everyone for letting me know I wasn't crazy for picking Aolani up.

This is the thread where Carina talks about Patt Miller's Boot Camp http://spoiledmaltese.com/forum/54-maltese-training/105021-cadeau-goes-boot-camp.html#post1773560

And here's the link for the workshops (looks like all the reactive workshops are full:

Peaceable Paws

(I hope I pasted the link correctly).

 

[Katkoota]

oh I am so sorry you went through this and I understand your fear. I don't like it when owners let their dogs lose (when the dogs approach mine). Snowy is extremely sociable while Crystal have some dogs she likes, others she just doesn't. However, I came across 2 incidents of a couple of dogs, running lose from their owners, heading to our direction (while my dog, Snowy, was on his leash walking with me and minding his own business), and grabbing my boy two of the worst experiences I went through with my little Snowy. Fortunately, in the two cases, the owner and I succeeded in splitting the bigger dogs than my innocent one. I don't want for this experience to happen to anyone else.

Please give my kisses to adorable Aolani and tell him that I love him :wub:

hugs
Kat

This is reactive behavior. I am working on this problem with Cadeau and will be taking him to Pat Miller's Reactive Rover camp in just over a week. We are also taking a class for reactive dogs that focuses on social skills. Getting Aolani treats just before he actually reacts would be part of the process, but once he starts reacting you do not want to reward it, what you want is to get him out of dodge as fast as you can.

The frenchie was definately encroaching on your space and I know there was not much you can do. This is why owners should use leashes unless they have complete control over their dogs. Imagine if you owned a larger reactive dog that you could not have picked up, that frenchie could have been toast.

I would encourage you to look into some books on dealing with reactive dogs. Pat Miller's work does have some chapters on it, Ali Brown has a title called Scardy Dog, there is a book called Click to Calm. Those are from the top of my head. There are many others.

After our trip to camp I will see if I have any other ideas for you. Good luck.

Good points