Author Topic: Dog on Dog 'tolerance'  (Read 2222 times)

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Offline C_phillips

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Dog on Dog 'tolerance'
« on: November 12, 2018, 01:45:01 PM »
Hey all,

Just wondered how everyone else's cockers were with other dogs?

As I have documented on here and on my blog, Jake does not have much tolerance for things that upset him!

He's always been tolerant of other dogs, but as he gets older, he is starting to stand up for himself a bit more - which is good in some ways as he does tend to get picked on!

But sometimes, his reactions seem a bit over the top.

It tends to be when he has his ball and we are at the park, if an excited dog comes up to him when he has the ball in his mouth - he will often chase them off with some grumbles. He has the least tolerance for dogs bigger than him who jump all over him, and will give them a stern telling off and a chase.

I don't think it's really a possessive thing, as when he drops the ball dogs will often come and steal it and he isn't bothered. It's just dogs in his space when he is "working" I guess.

He does also tell bigger dogs off if we don't have the ball - when they invade his space. Otherwise, he is completely fine.

Something to be worried about, or just something to keep an eye on? It's just a lot of noise, he hasn't hurt another dog in all the times he's chased them off.
Owner of Jake, the fearful-reactive Spaniel.
Read about our journey with Jake:
SnappySpaniel.Wordpress.com

Offline lescef

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Re: Dog on Dog 'tolerance'
« Reply #1 on: November 12, 2018, 04:30:07 PM »
I would say that it's one to watch. I have one that is fear aggressive and will go aggressively at dogs that get too close. My other one sounds like Jake and basically tells them off for being rude. However, I don't want it to tip into aggression  so I try to avoid confrontations. Hope that helps!
Lesley, Maddie and Bramble

Offline Ambler54

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Re: Dog on Dog 'tolerance'
« Reply #2 on: November 12, 2018, 04:40:39 PM »
Rosie is the same, likes Her space and will give a warning shot across the bows if a dog persists in putting its nose where its not wanted...so far its just a warning look and bark but We do watch Her....but if anyone tries to take Her ball then watch out so consequently there is no ball play if other dog are around, We feel its not worth the risk.We are tryingto teach ?be nice? and when She greets a dog nicely then its praise and rewards....what amazes us is that sometimes a dog approaches and without so much as a sniff hello its game on, what message passes through them and how do they know.Telling a Mastiff to back off was probably not the wisest move.....

Offline Barry H

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Re: Dog on Dog 'tolerance'
« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2018, 10:06:45 AM »
From your description, I'd say he's just telling them to eff off in no uncertain terms and good for him.  Having said that, I'd be vary wary of letting unknown dogs invade his space so being a bit more proactive by either (a) no ball play when other dogs are about or (b) putting him on a lead or (c) putting yourself between him and other dog might be things to bear in mind.  Keep your wits about you.   You need to do all you can to avoid dog on dog aggression and prevention is better than cure.  It's also good to know a bit about dog body language - signs of aggression are unmistakeable but you may not get much warning...

Jack isn't possessive, and much to my chagrin has zero interest in balls/sticks or chasing after stuff (enticing smells excepted).  He's pretty laid back, has plenty of doggy friends and being a friendly type generally wants to meet other dogs.  From being a pup, I've tried to allow him to meet as many other dogs as he wants.  Have had only one off lead dog 'have a go' (a golden retriever which surprised me).  It was sudden and unexpected, resulting in me having to physically separate them (no damage done), hence the need for more sensible precautions.  My fault entirely and lesson learned. 

Knowing your dog walking etiquette is the key to avoiding unpleasant confrontations and better learned sooner rather than later.  Off lead, Jack is always put back on the lead at a safe distance when meeting unknown dogs whether the other dog is on lead or off but certainly when the other dog is on a lead.   There have been times when I was 'too late' getting the lead on but thankfully - so far - no problems.  Better to be safe than sorry though.

As he's matured (will be 4 in Dec) nowadays he tends to be a bit more wary of anything physically bigger than him.  He's also not shy of standng up for himself with a warning growl - so time to back off.  He regards the all too frequent lead reactive and/or little yappy dogs with the contempt they deserve.  I should say that more than 50% of the dogs we see (not meet) fall into either of these two categories. 


Offline Pearly

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Re: Dog on Dog 'tolerance'
« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2018, 11:08:20 AM »
I would say that it's one to watch. I have one that is fear aggressive and will go aggressively at dogs that get too close. My other one sounds like Jake and basically tells them off for being rude. However, I don't want it to tip into aggression  so I try to avoid confrontations. Hope that helps!

I?m sorry but I don?t agree with the first part of your post - it?s not one to watch and doesn?t sound like fear agrresssion.  It does sound as though Jake is a full on ?worker?, he takes his job seriously and doesnt appreciate being interfered with.  Coral is exactly the same.  If she?s hunting and another dog comes over to her, they know about it.  Frankly it?s the other dog and it?s owner that is the issue - the dog should be under control and if it can?t be, shouldn?t be off the lead!

The second part of the statement above is sound advice - avoiding areas with irresponsible dog owners is wise if Jake is reacting to their dogs getting in his space.

If you?ve not already considered it, it would be wise to attend Gundog training classes.  It will help Jake understand boundaries and help you understand the etiquette around Gundogs - which is there for good reason!  Two labradors going for the same retrieve is a whole lot more messy than a cocker intent on its job!

Good luck with your lad,

Jayne

Offline lescef

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Re: Dog on Dog 'tolerance'
« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2018, 05:39:33 PM »
I would say that it's one to watch. I have one that is fear aggressive and will go aggressively at dogs that get too close. My other one sounds like Jake and basically tells them off for being rude. However, I don't want it to tip into aggression  so I try to avoid confrontations. Hope that helps!

I?m sorry but I don?t agree with the first part of your post - it?s not one to watch and doesn?t sound like fear agrresssion.  It does sound as though Jake is a full on ?worker?, he takes his job seriously and doesnt appreciate being interfered with.  Coral is exactly the same.  If she?s hunting and another dog comes over to her, they know about it.  Frankly it?s the other dog and it?s owner that is the issue - the dog should be under control and if it can?t be, shouldn?t be off the lead!

The second part of the statement above is sound advice - avoiding areas with irresponsible dog owners is wise if Jake is reacting to their dogs getting in his space.

If you?ve not already considered it, it would be wise to attend Gundog training classes.  It will help Jake understand boundaries and help you understand the etiquette around Gundogs - which is there for good reason!  Two labradors going for the same retrieve is a whole lot more messy than a cocker intent on its job!

Good luck with your lad,

Jayne

I only meant in the sense of  avoiding confrontation,. I'm concerned that Bramble's just 'telling off may become more.
Lesley, Maddie and Bramble

Offline Digger

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Re: Dog on Dog 'tolerance'
« Reply #6 on: November 14, 2018, 10:27:31 PM »
..hiya- watching this conversation with interest.
Maybe I am too relaxed about it but I tend to agree with pearly. My dog 16 months has been super socialised with every imaginable breed since the day after her jabs. I am probably a bit old fashioned but I think they need to learn by doing. She was off lead and being a dog from day one. Mine has been rumbled many times and has had a couple of nips from the odd not so nice ones but is still very friendly towards other dogs, loves to play and always greets with a polite 'down' position. She has loads of friends she sees regularly and has a good old romp and a chase on a daily basis.
However..
Don't come near my ball when I'm working or I'll have your face off! :lol2:
Ok so maybe not quite that bad, and some dogs are allowed to take her ball right out of her mouth but some will get a nasty bark in the face- no contact but scary sounding.
She did Chase a couple of dogs off a few feet the other day with a nasty noise but then she had just found a whole animal pelt in the middle of a field so was being a bit guarding of it... next time she saw them they were best friends again.
I think as humans we don't like to see that sort of behaviour but they are dogs and have their own way of sitting out who's who don't they? it seems that a dog will do something in that moment for that particular reason right there and then it is forgotten. I don't think it necessarily means you have a nasty dog.
If it does, then I too have a nasty dog.
I think mines pretty social really-There have been a thousand situations where she has been incredibly tolerant with puppies jumping all over her head and biting her ears, massive boisterous labradors bowling into her at 100 miles an hour, things trying to hump her, being nipped, boxed chased and generally ruffled up. She's had a couple of shouts at a couple of dogs trying to take stuff off her. In the grand scheme of things the tolerant behaviour wins out a thousand fold..If  I was just loading my shopping into the car and someone thought they would just take it off me and put it in their boot I would probably object too.
I have never considered that this could be a precursor to aggression. I don't think so, and I hope I am right!!!

Offline Helen

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Re: Dog on Dog 'tolerance'
« Reply #7 on: November 27, 2018, 03:51:25 PM »
A dog that is ball possessive is a pain in the rear so I would control the amount of ball interaction for a start.  I hate seeing a dog that is so obsessed they can't actually do a normal walk without a ball.

The other thing is if your dog is snappy (not aggressive - just noise and teeth baring) and possessive how can you tell how another dog will react to that?  Some may back off, some may react with aggression and then it escalates.

My dogs have limited access to balls and the thing that infuriates me is other owners who, if my dog's ball is stolen (he's not possessive in the slightest and won't blink an eyelid if his ball is nicked) cannot can't recall their dog or get the ball from their untrained dog.
helen & jarvis x


Offline Digger

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Re: Dog on Dog 'tolerance'
« Reply #8 on: November 27, 2018, 09:42:48 PM »
I agree with all of that.

I personally have cut right back on ball games in public and only do it when no other dogs are around, but other than that, how do you make a 'snappy' dog not a snappy dog....?

My old dog didn't give a hoot who did what, or who's ball was who's. He never so much as grumbled at anyone or anything. This one has certain issues. How do you change something that is coming from within the dog?

Offline Helen

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Re: Dog on Dog 'tolerance'
« Reply #9 on: November 28, 2018, 10:28:09 PM »
My oldest would not tolerate bad manners - and from what you're saying these bigger dogs are displaying bad manners and I don't blame your dog for reacting. 

The only thing I can suggest is trying to minimise the contact and try to minimise the triggers.

It never ever escalated with Jarv and his trigger for reacting (all teeth baring and noise, no actual contact) was usually any dog that put a paw on his shoulder.  He HATED that.

If there were dogs I thought would annoy him I would call him back and walk the other way.  There's no point in putting your dog in situations that force him to react and to be honest he doesn't need to interact with every dog  that comes into the park  ;)
helen & jarvis x


Offline Digger

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Re: Dog on Dog 'tolerance'
« Reply #10 on: December 01, 2018, 01:23:47 PM »
Thanks for that-yes very true. I'm not overly concerned as it is not happening all the time-I will just be mindful of it so as not to encourage it to escalate. ;)