Scared of bigger dogs

[Murphys Law]

Millie is 18 weeks old and I am trying to take her to places where she meets lots of other (nice) dogs. She loves spaniels and similar sized dogs but if anything bigger comes over she gets scared.

Today and big GSD came over to Millie and it obviously wanted to play. Millie ran away, screaming, with the GSD in hot pursuit, though there was no aggression from the GSD at all. Then the same thing happened with a black lab. When I started to show the lab some attention, Millie came over for a sniff but then the lab wanted to play with her and she ran off again.

Will she get used to bigger dogs and is there a way that I can help her lose her fear of them?

[Murphys Law]

Any advice?

I don't know if I am making things worse by putting Millie in a position where she meets bigger dogs or if I should carry on and hope she gets used to it.

[elaine.e]

Sometimes it can be difficult to know if it's better to encourage them to overcome a fear, or protect them from it in case they can't cope and become more fearful.

In your situation I'd be inclined to go for the second option and be very selective about which dogs you let come near Millie for the time being. If she keeps on meeting dogs like the pushy GSD (whose owner should have caught it once they realised it was terrifying Millie) she may become worse and start to panic around even more dogs. In an ideal world you'd be able to find big dogs that would simply ignore Millie, which would take the pressure off her and help her to learn how to stay calm. You'd let her spend time with them until she was able to stay calm before introducing pushier dogs. But the reality is that some of the big dogs you meet will want to say hi and play, some may be rude to her.

Try to judge which dogs she should meet and which you should keep her away from. If a dog approaches that you believe will scare Millie ask the owner to call their dog to them and briefly explain why. I have to do it for Louis sometimes and most people understand and do their best to help. Some don't understand though.

Something that has helped Louis is that when I see him look at a big or bouncy dog calmly I praise him quietly and give him a treat. Over time that's helped him to stay calm and realise that he doesn't need to react. Those types of dogs can mostly be really close to us now and although Louis sometimes looks uncomfortable he's much less likely to go into panic mode.

[Patp]

I was very lucky with Jinley and the first 2 people I met on a walk had a GSD and a very large chocolate lab (who Jinley used to check his mouth like a dentist)

I walked regularly with them, but the GSD did protect her from other dogs that she was wary of (in particular a white boxer and a collie).  She is still wary of boxers and collies but I just call her to me, mainly so that I can be close by should she become fearful of the situation and react in fight mode.

Dogs have good instincts and our job is to keep them safe.  I wouldnt put Jinley in a situation of forcing socialisation when obviously uncomfortable.

Whilst you dont want Millie to bound up to all dogs, regardless of whether they like puppies or not, it might be useful to walk with somebody with a calm large dog rather than meeting head on.

[Murphys Law]

Thank you for your replies. I took Millie to my friends house today who has a lovely Golden Retriever. She was a bit wary at first but it wasn't long before they were playing.

I'm going to organise a walk or two together and hopefully Millie will begin to chill out around bigger dogs.

[lescef]

It's the same old problem of dogs that are not being kept under control! I would go for the same option as Elaine. I know it's boring but street lead walking does give you the opportunity to see other dogs in a controlled way, at a suitable distance. When Millie is calm looking at the dog reward with treat and praise her calmly. A road width is just about right for Maddie at the moment!

[Murphys Law]

It's the same old problem of dogs that are not being kept under control! I would go for the same option as Elaine. I know it's boring but street lead walking does give you the opportunity to see other dogs in a controlled way, at a suitable distance. When Millie is calm looking at the dog reward with treat and praise her calmly. A road width is just about right for Maddie at the moment!

The owner of the GSD thought it was really funny watching Millie run away screaming   I know it's difficult to recall a dog that thinks it is involved in a game but she didn't even try. I will try the reward method as I still do mostly street walks until I am more confident of Millies recall.

Thanks.

[Finvarra]

I can really sympathise. We've had similar problems with Dylan (see two previous threads). First time paw to ground he was duffed up by a Jack Ruseell and thereafter screamed whenever any dog came near him. That would have been around nine or ten weeks old. Before that he was friendly and confident. First obedience class we took him to was rubbish, but we now go to a much better one. I took him for a walk with a friend with an old,black lab who just ambled along with him, and the classes have really helped. At first he was scared, but has gradually been coming out of his shell and gaining more confidence. We go for a walk once a week with a lady with a beagle puppy from the class, and although she is a bit of a bully, they have been off the lead together and he is beginning to,stand up for himself. We visited each other,s house and let them off together in the garden. Now he is keen to get into 'school', and he says hello to the bigger dogs quite happily. He still doesn't,t like bouncy dogs and looks apprehensive hen they rush over, but the screaming has stopped and he is much better. When he stays brave we praise him and treat him, and his confidence is really growing. Just have to be care ful we don't get a setback.  I don't let hi off lead in the country park yet because he could disappear into the trees if scared, but we go to the beach regularly where you can see any dogs coming an get him on the lead before trouble occurs.

If you can find the right dogs to socialise Millie with hopefully she will also get more confident. The street walking is a good idea too.

Lesley and Dylan

[Murphys Law]

Good info Finvarra, thanks.