Getting snappy

[sneaks]

Rogue is 6. She's began in the last 6 months or so to get quite snappy with other dogs.

Its usually when we meet another dog in the small path leading on to our dog field, or when there are a lot of owners/legs about and I think she feels a bit penned in maybe? She basically just whips round on them and gives them a very high pitched bark and mouths at them - I don't think she bites, but its very hard to tell.

Up until now she's been very placid really, very submissive (wees usually when we meet other people/dogs), and she only did the high pitched bark thing at HUGE fluffy alsations - and she would just take a very wide berth around them and run away 

I'm not sure what has caused this - could be getting older? could be getting attacked in the park a few months ago by a dog (it was a pretty nasty attack), she also got pushed through an electric fence when playing with another dog about 10 months ago, and she thought the other dog had given her the shock   

Any ideas how to solve this though? Owners usually whip their dog away and walk on. We have found if we let her 'play it out' she's fine in under a minute, but most people don't stay around for that long. 

[elaine.e]

It sounds like Rogue is frightened and that's why she's reacting to other dogs more than she used to. Maybe it's because of the dog attack or the electric fence incident (that happened to William once but he sort of realised it was the fence and was just wary of sheep fencing for a while), but whatever the cause she's now fearful of other dogs approaching her if she's in a place where she can't take herself away from them.

I don't know how you can help her to become more confident in those situations, but a good start would be to keep her out of the situations as much as you can. On the small path would you be able to stop, turn your back to the oncoming dog and get Rogue to sit in front of you and focus on you, so that she can see the dog but you're in between her and the dog?

[marin_uk]

Our 18 month old spayed girl reacts in a similar way but generally only if dogs run up and try and play too quickly and only out in the park, funnily enough she is better if other dogs come into the house, I guess she feels more confident indoors. Perhaps try letting her meet gentle laid back dogs in a place that you consider she might feel more confident (garden or a place she has comfortably met other dogs in the past), then gradually build this up into short walks together? Just some thoughts.

[Sarah.H]

If it's a new behaviour then you want to get her checked over by the vet. It could be that she's having problems with her eyesight or perhaps in pain somewhere and it's making her nervous in those situations. Always give the benefit of the doubt and find out if it's a physical issue first  .

Millie is not good with other dogs when on a short lead so I just try to avoid the situation with a combination of keeping her away, blocking with my body and using treats to keep her attention on me. Hope that helps  .

[sneaks]

Thanks for the replies.

I think maybe she was doing it more the other day because of her black eye - she got hit with a toy recently.

But the good news is 1/ the eye is fine and healed and 2/ I think we worked out that she's been lacking in socialisation. We live in 2 different houses, and most of summer we've lived in london where we walk her in greenwich park - which obviously has been closed off because of the olympics. As a result she's been having boring lead walks and playing ball in the garden. Although she's been very well exercised she's not met many dogs. And when we've gone back to our other house at the weekends, we've been walking at odd times so not meeting anyone.

I'm back into my job full time now and having to fit around my 9-5 schedule so in the last week we've met lots of dogs and she's played nicely with every one of them. I'm hoping that as long as we keep this up she's 'cured' of the snappishness, at least in MOST situations. 

[marin_uk]

That's really good to hear! It's great when you can have a relaxing stress free walk!

[sneaks]

Well things have been going ok. Although had 2 incidents this week 

1. young golden retriever wants to play with her, is a bit boisterous and she burst into her high pitched bark which seems to be reserved for fighting/playing I don't know - it doesn't seem *that* aggressive, but it does seem like a warning, but she did play it out on this occassion.


2. Just seen another young labradoodle I think but its big, white, fluffy and very cute. Rogue has played with this dog before several times in the last 3 months and really loved it. Today she went into the high pitched bark thing again, got a bit snappy - looked a bit scared of the dog and then hid behind the dog's owners legs. Then she went to play again - then the high pitched barking.

I just don't know what is causing it!?

I know you'll say its big gold/white dogs, but she also has done it with tiny terriers before. If I could do something to stop it I would, but I don't know what's causing it and really don't want to get to the point where I have to avoid dogs as think that will make it worse. The owner today was obviously concerned about it - it is quite alarming and if someone else's dog had done that to rogue 6 months ago I would have been a bit upset!

[marin_uk]

Our 18 month girl can behave in a similar way, I think it is a combination of excitement and nervousness, some dogs she will be fine with but if they are big and bouncy or they chase her she can turn and be quite grumpy, she is not trying to hurt them but is unhappy about how they approach. I have tried to build her confidence around other dogs and if they approach with some disinterest and leave her alone she is completely fine and will hang around with them quite happily. She is very very hyper so I think she is just so caught up with her hunting she doesn't like to be interrupted. I would prefer she didn't do it and I am contemplating getting some professional help.

I hope she can be helped to gain her confidence around other dogs....is she quite hyper or do you think it is about how the other dogs approach her? If they approach rudely she might be just trying to exert her authority but I understand you wanting her to be more friendly. Good luck, if I do go down the front of using some help I will report back although obviously everybody's situation is different. Did you get her checked medically?

[sneaks]

Yes this sounds the same. All I can think of is that the second incident this week the woman was walking with 2 toddlers and the other dog was trying to play around all the legs and I think she felt penned in. The first incident was in between trees - I walk in an apple orchard so lots of rows of trees. I think this might be when it's more likely - if she feels her options about getting out if the way are limited. Out on the field she's only one it when there there are lots of human legs around her if that makes sense?

I've got an awful feeling it all relates back to her being attacked in Greenwich - I'm so angry at the owner of that other dog 

She used to be very hyper but has changed since the attack - just got a fit slower but that could also be age too. She's still a lot more hyper than everyone else's dogs of the same age