Trainer recommendations or any other ideas

[niqnet]

Astrid has been well socialised in a variety of environments with dogs of different shapes and sizes but for the last couple of months she has been increasingly difficult to deal with when approaching other dogs when out for walks on a lead. I’m pretty sure it’s excitement based reactions ( I could be wrong though, could be fear)but she basically does the following:

See dog
Pull towards dog barking incessantly
Barks in dogs face

If she meets a dog she doesn’t see in the distance (for example round a corner), she approaches quietly, sniffs and keeps on walking. In both cases I’ve always asked the owner if it is ok for her to approach their dog.  I have also done lots of practice just walking past dogs without interaction but now she just seems to be getting loud and barky most of the time. If she’s walking with friends dogs, she’s initially loud but then is ok once we get walking. Either way, I feel I’ve done something wrong in training her and would like a trainer recommendation if anyone knows anyone local to North Wales.

Or, any general ideas on how to tackle this? I’m starting to dread walks. Cafe visits are also a no no despite her being great at this when she was little. Feel a bit low about it all to be honest.

[bizzylizzy]

Hi, I don’t think you‘ve done anything wrong, cockers do tend to get pretty excited anyway. A trainer is a good idea as he/she can probably assess whether its fear based or just over exuberance (which is my guess  ) and tell you how to deal with it. In the mean time, these are a few of my tips:
- where possible try to circle around the other dog, i.e. avoid face to face approach - dogs off lead will always approach this way. Obviously on a busy street this isn’t always practical but you can possibly cross over or turn around.
- avoid getting cross and pulling or shouting but rather offer reassurance that you are in charge and have the situation in hand (particularly if its fear based) and praise and treat when she‘s quiet.
- make her sit and wait before you give her the ok to approach the other dog. You  can distract her with a toy or something to get her attention first but don’t bribe with treats to quieten her otherwise  she‘ll see that as a reward for the behaviour you’re trying to stop.
- avoid contact generally to strange dogs on the lead. Insecure dogs on the lead have no escape route which can cause them to bark in panic, aggresive dogs on the other hand often feel more powerful with their humans behind them. If you’re introducing her to another dog, allow a very short sniff to start with and only when both dogs are calm and you’re confident that the other dog is friendly.
There are lots of things that can cause them to start behaving „badly“, my dog isn’t fond of whole male dogs but he’s been attacked a couple of times so I know its fear reaction with him, he‘s also not very fit anymore which probably makes him feel more vulnerable. If you can  note exactly the situation in which she’s reacting it‘ll help you and the trainer to deal with it more easily.
Can‘t help with trainer recommendations unfortunately but I‘m sure there’ll be help from other on here.
Don’t get disheartened, its all very young cockerish  , but it doesn’t mean you won’t overcome it.
  Jayne x

[MIN]

I don't have a barker, but I do have a squealer. Any dog  that looks at her, regardless of distance will set her off. Started about 4 years old.  I wish she would show some sign of what she is feeling. There are happy barks, excited barks and get out of my face barks. I just have one tone squeal.   .

[niqnet]

Hi, I don’t think you‘ve done anything wrong, cockers do tend to get pretty excited anyway. A trainer is a good idea as he/she can probably assess whether its fear based or just over exuberance (which is my guess  ) and tell you how to deal with it. In the mean time, these are a few of my tips:
- where possible try to circle around the other dog, i.e. avoid face to face approach - dogs off lead will always approach this way. Obviously on a busy street this isn’t always practical but you can possibly cross over or turn around.
- avoid getting cross and pulling or shouting but rather offer reassurance that you are in charge and have the situation in hand (particularly if its fear based) and praise and treat when she‘s quiet.
- make her sit and wait before you give her the ok to approach the other dog. You  can distract her with a toy or something to get her attention first but don’t bribe with treats to quieten her otherwise  she‘ll see that as a reward for the behaviour you’re trying to stop.
- avoid contact generally to strange dogs on the lead. Insecure dogs on the lead have no escape route which can cause them to bark in panic, aggresive dogs on the other hand often feel more powerful with their humans behind them. If you’re introducing her to another dog, allow a very short sniff to start with and only when both dogs are calm and you’re confident that the other dog is friendly.
There are lots of things that can cause them to start behaving „badly“, my dog isn’t fond of whole male dogs but he’s been attacked a couple of times so I know its fear reaction with him, he‘s also not very fit anymore which probably makes him feel more vulnerable. If you can  note exactly the situation in which she’s reacting it‘ll help you and the trainer to deal with it more easily.
Can‘t help with trainer recommendations unfortunately but I‘m sure there’ll be help from other on here.
Don’t get disheartened, its all very young cockerish  , but it doesn’t mean you won’t overcome it.
  Jayne x

Thanks Jayne, your tips are really helpful. Astrid is so brilliant in so many ways, it’s just this one issue but it’s hard not to feel down and self conscious when your dog is loud. I’ll try your tips and keep trying to find a decent trainer and hope she won’t be like this forever. We’ve already had a life time of reactivity from one of our boys ( no longer with us) after he was attacked in training class so I think I’m a bit anxious about it all.

[niqnet]

I don't have a barker, but I do have a squealer. Any dog  that looks at her, regardless of distance will set her off. Started about 4 years old.  I wish she would show some sign of what she is feeling. There are happy barks, excited barks and get out of my face barks. I just have one tone squeal.   .

Oh blimey! Did you see a trainer about this? I bet you feel like everyone is looking at you when she does it.

[Jaysmumagain]

Nicole
Harry has just finished puppy class for 8 weeks they were very good,  https://www.paws4trainingprestatyn.com/    www.goodcompaniondogtrainingclub.co.uknot sure if they do one to one. Both Kennel Club approved schemes.
Only other thing I take Harry to a play group sometime.  One man reccommended Bark Busters a lady ...while her page mentions just the coast area - there is a review for Neston so she might travel.

Only other thing I am sure if you phone vets practice they may have some names.
Years ago I had a westie who became really challenging and vet put me in touch with a retired dog trainer. So worth a try.

[niqnet]

A friend with a spaniel has recommended a trainer/behaviourist so he’s coming out to meet with me and Astrid this week. Hopefully he can help.

Many thanks all for your suggestions.

[bizzylizzy]

That’s good, - please keep us posted, it would be interesting to hear what he recommends!
 

[Mudmagnets]

That sounds hopeful, will be keeping fingers and toes crossed that all goes well 

[niqnet]

I’ve had my first session this morning and the chap seems to talk a lot of sense. He brought two stooge dogs with him and we worked on a few things. He said her behaviour is excitement with a hint of nervousness and she’s learnt to bark as she isn’t sure what else to do. Things he has suggested:

Binning her harness and using a slip lead instead
Stop over thinking everything as my instincts are generally good
Carry on walking towards other dogs only if there is no reaction ( so turn around and walk in other direction then try again, rinse and repeat)
Work at a distance to other dogs first then move closer as she becomes confident over the weeks

He wants me to practice for 2 weeks and then we’re meeting again. I’m feeling better about it generally so I’ll see how it goes.

I’ve never used a slip lead before as never been sure about them but it seems a lot of people on here use them.

[bizzylizzy]

That sounds promising,! That’s a good point about over thinking things! I think a lot of us tend to do that, - one of the downsides of the flood of over information unfortunately, we lose trust in our own instincts   
Best of luck with the training, do let us know how Astrid gets on!
  Jayne x

[niqnet]

Thanks Jayne. Yes, I’ve been getting really down about doing a bad job so I think he’s right!