OMG - just got advice from dog behaviourist

[Helen]

i have so many problems with neutered dogs having issues with my entire dog - no-one ever tells you this could be a problem when you neuter dogs and i am seeing it more and more and more....and those that have met my entire dog will tell you he's a bit of a softie so is not looking for a fight.

your neutered dog is probably feeling more threatened while he's on the lead by entire dogs, and this is likely to be fear aggression.

I would seek another behaviourist who would understand this kind of thing.

For once, I don't think it's a littermate issue (i am not keen on littermates being raised together but that's another topic in my view), I think the neutering has bought this on.


I really wish someone would do a study on this problem in neutered dogs  

[RosiesMum]

Hi,

If you're really worried about the advice oyu've been given - why not try someone else - at least that way you would have a better feel for whether the first advice is valid or just that person's 'opinion'. and then you can think it out better.

Have you read jan Fennel - 'The Dog Listener', while some of it is over the top some of it makes sense and is worth a read?

Good Luck

Roberta

[Jan/Billy]

Have you read jan Fennel - 'The Dog Listener', while some of it is over the top some of it makes sense and is worth a read?

I'm not a fan of hers at all, I think you'll find a lfew members on here feel the same 

Culture clash is a far better read in my opinion 

[Nicola]

Have you read jan Fennel - 'The Dog Listener', while some of it is over the top some of it makes sense and is worth a read?

I'm not a fan of hers at all, I think you'll find a lfew members on here feel the same 

Culture clash is a far better read in my opinion 

Definitely, I wouldn't use JF's methods if I was paid to 

[Helen]

Have you read jan Fennel - 'The Dog Listener', while some of it is over the top some of it makes sense and is worth a read?

I'm not a fan of hers at all, I think you'll find a lfew members on here feel the same 

Culture clash is a far better read in my opinion 

Definitely, I wouldn't use JF's methods if I was paid to 

same here 

please don't go down that path, it will take months/years to undo if you start,  and as you've used one of the dominance theories unwittingly with the food bowls you can see yourself it serves no real purpose....

[Cazzie]

I have experienced lots of litter mates being raised together and there has never ever been any problems. Also as far as the neutered dogs go I have never experienced any major issues with them with entire males.

Im commenting on large groups of kenneled working  dogs, who mix together when they are out. All the dogs regardless of whether they are neutered or not, soon learn their place within the pack as if they do start to become cockie the top dogs put them in their place. Its all about respect and its the same in the home, once a dog has learned respect of others they soon know how to behave. Also it a good way for a young dog to learn not to be so dam arrogant and forward and makes them think twice about breanging in.

Some dogs regardless of sex or entirety, will challenge other dogs when on a lead it is a defence mechanism, but let most dogs off the lead together and they will soon start to enjoy each others company (unless its a blood thirsty beast).

The so called behaviour person, well Id dump them for a start and find someone else, how dare they suggest you rehome one of you're dogs 

I really wish you were nearer as I would love to help you with this. I really would suggest to work hard on the socialisation and hopefully someone with experience can move things on for you. 

[Top Barks]

Are they aggressive towards each other?
Have any incidents required treatment by a vet?
Describe what goes on and how freequently it happens.
Mark

[caty]

Are they aggressive towards each other?
Have any incidents required treatment by a vet?
Describe what goes on and how freequently it happens.
Mark

They play very well together and are never aggressive towards each other. They are fed, walked and I play with them together (they love hide and seek ) - all without any problems. When we go out walking, they are excellent on the lead. When another dog passes by, the neutered one (Flynn) will get a little jumpy and try to avoid the other dog, although the past couple of times we've been out, if it's a calm dog who passes us by then he remains calm and passes by without any problem (then he gets a treat). The issue arises when the other dog is excitable and comes over to invesigate him and sniff. Flynn will try and jump out of the way and when he can't (I always have them on the lead now) he snarls and lunges. He has never to date bitten or made contact with his teeth, although it may be a matter of time before he resorts to that. I haven't taken them to the park anymore but take a different route which avoids off lead contact with other dogs. I don't know if I'm making a mistake doing this.

I should add here that sometimes dogs have been snarled and lunged at for simply approaching him - calmly  or excitedly.

[caty]

Have you read jan Fennel - 'The Dog Listener', while some of it is over the top some of it makes sense and is worth a read?

I'm not a fan of hers at all, I think you'll find a lfew members on here feel the same 

Culture clash is a far better read in my opinion 

Definitely, I wouldn't use JF's methods if I was paid to 

What's wrong with JF's methods? Don't they work? Are they outdated? I have both books and I've just started the Culture Clash but so far find it quite hard to read.

[cazza]

Have you read jan Fennel - 'The Dog Listener', while some of it is over the top some of it makes sense and is worth a read?

I'm not a fan of hers at all, I think you'll find a lfew members on here feel the same 

Culture clash is a far better read in my opinion 

Definitely, I wouldn't use JF's methods if I was paid to 

What's wrong with JF's methods? Don't they work? Are they outdated? I have both books and I've just started the Culture Clash but so far find it quite hard to read.

Can't answer your question on JF but just to let you know you are not alone with the Culture Clash, I found it a hard read and  gave up  it's still on the pile to read tho 

[PennyB]

Are they aggressive towards each other?
Have any incidents required treatment by a vet?
Describe what goes on and how freequently it happens.
Mark

They play very well together and are never aggressive towards each other. They are fed, walked and I play with them together (they love hide and seek ) - all without any problems. When we go out walking, they are excellent on the lead. When another dog passes by, the neutered one (Flynn) will get a little jumpy and try to avoid the other dog, although the past couple of times we've been out, if it's a calm dog who passes us by then he remains calm and passes by without any problem (then he gets a treat). The issue arises when the other dog is excitable and comes over to invesigate him and sniff. Flynn will try and jump out of the way and when he can't (I always have them on the lead now) he snarls and lunges. He has never to date bitten or made contact with his teeth, although it may be a matter of time before he resorts to that. I haven't taken them to the park anymore but take a different route which avoids off lead contact with other dogs. I don't know if I'm making a mistake doing this.

To be honest sometimes it can upset some dogs if another is quite excitable like this --- mine have never liked what I call 'rude' dogs who basically have no manners and one or other of mine has been known to tell them off.

[jann]

Hi, just seen this post and unless I've misunderstood or missed something then I'm not really sure what the 'problem' is ?

If Flynn simply doesn't like to be approached by strange dogs, sniffing and wanting to play, then I think he's entitled to feel like that. If he's never done anything but warn the other dogs away, then what is the problem ?
are you perhaps feeling more threatened than he is about it ? and do you need a behaviourist ?

You don't seem to have any other problems that would indicate it's a 'same litter' or  sibling problem to me, but then I admit I'm no expert on these things.

If I've missed something here, or inadvertently upset anyone then I apologise in advance 

Jann

[Rhona W]

To be honest sometimes it can upset some dogs if another is quite excitable like this --- mine have never liked what I call 'rude' dogs who basically have no manners and one or other of mine has been known to tell them off.

Reuben has always disliked 'rude' dogs and used to snap at them every time. He is just learning to walk away from them now without reacting; unless they are very persistant and then he will still tell them off.

What is Flyn like when dogs approach him if he is off the lead? 

I agree with Jann. Flyn is entitled to tell off dogs that approach him when he is on the lead. (Or off for that matter.) And in fact, their owners should not really be allowing the dogs to go up to dogs that are on a lead. 

[caty]

If Flynn simply doesn't like to be approached by strange dogs, sniffing and wanting to play, then I think he's entitled to feel like that. If he's never done anything but warn the other dogs away, then what is the problem ?
are you perhaps feeling more threatened than he is about it ? and do you need a behaviourist ?

I don't feel at all threatened when another dog comes up to us! And as far as I know I don't need a behaviourist (although my OH may disagree  I'm just trying to understand my dogs better, like any responsible owner. I have not owned dogs before and these are the first dogs I've tried to train, so I am a newbie and have come on here to ask for advice from much more experienced people who have more than likely come across problems like this before.

If Flynn snarling and lunging at other dogs is not a problem, then that's fine. I can rest assured then that it's normal dog behaviour. The reason I posted was that I had received advice quite to the contrary - from a behaviourist - which was stressing that this could be a littermate issue which really needed addressing. As a newbie, obviously I don't want to ignore behaviour like this and then one day wish I'd done something about it.

[caty]

To be honest sometimes it can upset some dogs if another is quite excitable like this --- mine have never liked what I call 'rude' dogs who basically have no manners and one or other of mine has been known to tell them off.

What is Flyn like when dogs approach him if he is off the lead? 

He is exactly the same. He tries to run away - even if the other dog just wants to sniff or play. Then he lunges and snarls if the dog persists.