Nipping big dogs on the nose

[Jo_Zebedee]

Does anyone else have this problem when out walking?  When big dogs (e.g. some labs, GSDs, Great Danes), approach Zebedee (either in friendly or unfriendly manner) he gets scared, (attempts to) nip them on the nose, and then scarpers!  He has just done it to a GSD who was only trying to be friendly (so it looked to me anyway).

Some large dogs he is really scared of - esp Dobermanns or extra large GSDs, he just freezes to the spot if they pass us on a walk and will not move unless I pick him up (which I sometimes do if it looks like they are going to approach us).  Sometimes he visibly shakes with fear.  Which I guess is an improvement on the nose-nipping.

He has never been attacked by a large dog, but there was an aggressive GSD in his puppy class which may have started his phobia.

Any advice on stopping him from nose-nipping would be appreciated!

[speedyjaney]

Hi there

Zebedee is still young and has lot to learn when it comes to doggy communication.

I wouldn't pick him up when other dogs are approached as you are not allowing him to learn from the other dog. If he is offlead then let himmeet and greet - most dogs will give a puppy a bit of licnse for bad behaviour....but if they have enough will also put it into its place themselves....dogs are much better than humans at reading other dogs!! 

Keep Zebedee focussed on you when these bigger are closed and praise him and feed him as they pass so he associates them with something nice....

janey

[Jo_Zebedee]

Thanks Janey!  Hopefully this will improve as Zeb gets older....  Good idea re the big dogs = treats thing - problem is I'm always caught by surprise when the big dogs turn up on our walks!

[ludo]

Bless him  ... I'm not able to give any advice cos I haven't come across this but I hope you can help him grow in confidence with the big dogs.   

[mmathison]

Hi

Ruben my working cocker also has a fear of big dogs and cries like a baby if one comes near him as if he is going to be attacked.
This has caused problems generally so i generally keep him on a lead as not all large dogs will accept his very noisey behaviour.

A couple of years ago he was attacked by a GSD rescue and he has not been the same since also it has kept me on my guard
i will not take any risks with some breeds.

Shelly

[Cob-Web]

Hi

Ruben my working cocker also has a fear of big dogs and cries like a baby if one comes near him as if he is going to be attacked.
This has caused problems generally so i generally keep him on a lead as not all large dogs will accept his very noisey behaviour.

A couple of years ago he was attacked by a GSD rescue and he has not been the same since also it has kept me on my guard
i will not take any risks with some breeds.

Shelly

Sorry to hear Ruben had a hard time....have you tried socialising him with larger dogs in a controlled way- maybe with the help of a behaviourist ?    Poor Molo has had run-ins with most types of dogs over the years;, including jack russells and collies 

After a nasty incident when a large black lab x slipped his owners grasp and grabbed him, I took him along to meet some flat coated retrievers to help him over come the nasty association he had made with large black dogs....he was nervous at first, but after a while began to play again 

[mmathison]

Hi

I have thought about taken Ruben to a behaviourist but its not gone any further yet.

Ruben is a highly strung dog even with an hour and a half walk and run a day its not enough.
From the moment we leave the house he makes all sorts of noises before we reach the beach and
if i say hello to anyone he barks,his bark is very noisy more like a large dog and he does tend to make
people look at him with his excitement.

He does not like children and will bark as if in fear when we pass some this alone is imbarrising because he
really is a soft loveable dog.

Elle my other working cocker is the complete opposite does not even bark and is a real lady and loves children
but Rubens behaviour is very unusal and his role model Elle should reflect better with him.

Regars
Michelle

[kirklou]

jester barks a lot when out on walks - very noisy especially around bigger dogs and other walkers are quite surprised cos he is  cocker - he is fine with some dogs although can be a bit nippy if they approach him and he is not aware at first (too busy sniffing something out) he loves people but also can be very jealous if another dog approches me and he will then bark at his disapproval - whats the best thing to do?? ignore or scold him or is he just being a dog??