Dog to dog problems

Tail waggers for your Dog training and walking needs

Tail waggers Canine Services for your Dog training and walking needs

Tail Waggers Canine Services

(Lancs)

By careful introductions to well adjusted calm dogs, taking things at the dogs own pace and plenty of rewards, dogs start to understand that being around other dogs can be nice.

My own dogs really come into their own here as they are very adept at calming other dogs and then encouraging the other dogs to play when they feel the time is right. This process of desensitisation and counter conditioning the fearful emotions is not a quick fix solution, however as the animal changes it’s emotional response to other dogs rather than just hiding it’s fear, the process is a far far safer one. It is also of course far nicer to help our best friends over their fears than to scare them into submission with the fear still remaining but hidden from view until it becomes too great to deal with any longer

‘Hoody’ Dogs

Dogs come in all different shapes, sizes and personalities as we all know.

Some dogs just want to mooch and sniff quietly and not be bothered, others want to play the fool and hurtle and chase like madmen, others want to wrestle and roar and others still want to have a nice sniff and say hello and maybe have a little run but don’t appreciate it when things get boisterous.

At Tail Waggers, the emphasis on dog to dog problems is to allow the dogs to learn from each other. I have several canine companions who make this possible

Of course there is nothing wrong with any one of these reactions to other dogs but sometimes dogs so want to socialise and play that they are off putting to prospective playmates or maybe refuse to return and end the fun, and as such spend all their walk time on a lead getting more and more frustrated and lessening their chances of getting a good game. Then when they do get let off for a play they are too keen and get themselves told off as the other dog does not want a full on wrestling match with a near stranger. Consequently a fight ensues.

By managing interactions with known tolerant and confident dogs who will play but not allow bad manners and not hold a grudge, the ‘hoody’ dog can be rewarded for good behaviour and can learn that the way to get your owner to let you play is to sit nicely and behave.

Dogs that are fearful of other dogs

In this litigious age, people are more and more worried about letting dogs be dogs and socialise with others of their kind and as such, some dogs find themselves scared to interact with others of their own species.

This often shows itself by barking and lunging when other dogs are nearby making the owner assume that the dog is confident when in fact it is just saying please go away. Consequently they tell the dog off for ‘being aggressive’ and the fear deepens

                                            Of course the ideal is to prevent these problems from
                                             happening in the first place and the best way to do this is to
                                             give your new best friend a lot of quality socialisation time as a
                                             youngster. Mixing with other dogs who will teach your puppy
                                             doggy manners over the first weeks and months they are with
                                             you is so important.

                                            Socialisation should be with as many well mannered dogs you
                                             can find, some who will play, some who will gently expect
                                             manners from your pup and as he gets older and a bit wilder will show him what is and isn’t allowed in polite dog circles. As with human children, you can expect your pup to have the odd telling off from other dogs as he pushes his boundaries but at the same time hopefully this will be taught in a manner that leaves no lasting damage.

Don’t bother with the socialisation and you could end up with either a ‘hoody’ dog or a fearful dog. If in doubt Tail Waggers are here to help

Other behavioural issues