Dylan gets anxious with other dogs

Noah used to go crazy if he heard or saw another dog (any breed) walking by our house, even if it was on the other side of the street. Came down to what he thought was HIS territory and that other dogs were encroaching. If I was walking him and he heard or saw another dog, he never reacted much other than to look, but don't let them get a few houses near his home.
 
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Remind us how old Dylan is ..... It may well be that he's going through one of the fear periods of puppyhood.
He turned 4 about 2 weeks ago. He has been doing this since he was 8 months old and is getting worse.
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Yep, had a similar issue. It sounds like fear aggression if Dylan is that fixated.
My trainer didn't think it is aggression. She thought it was anxiety. He is anticipating something and is anxious to happen.
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I would really recommend obedience classes
He went through 4 obedient class. He did his normal puppy class, itermediate class and advanced class. Then when Daisy came they took intermediate class together again. He is fine with other dogs in the class room. He only reacts when he can't get to them.
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The weird thing for Bentley is that he is fine in obedience class and at agility. He might bark at another dog, but NEVER lunges or growls.
Dylan is the same way.

My trainer is bringing her dog this Friday for our excercise. She said this one is really laid back and will just sit on the grass when the other dogs are going crazy around her. So hopefully Dylan will learn from her.

I really appreciate all your advises. I am very hopefull he will get better.

P.S. We are starting agility classes in mid May for both Daisy and Dylan. I hope this helps on top of the training.
 
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Not aggression - fear that manifests as aggression. It sounds like he is scared - or anxious as your trainer says.

Thats good that the trainer is bringing her dog, it will give you chance to practice a few techniques - good luck.
 
Baron is reactive to other dogs too, but as long as he can immediately approach...he is fine. I don't get it? His issue began after he was chased down by a German Shepherd. No physical contact, but it scared the you know what out of him. He loves to watch out our front window, but whenever another dog goes by....he goes nuts. I'm beginning to see the wear and tear in my sofa now..ugh! Like I said though, if I allow him to go straight over and say "hello," he's fine. Also, if I am with him in the window, he's fine too. He does respond to the "sit" or "down" command when we're on walks, as he cannot always approach other dogs so we had to find something that would work. So, we have him "sit" or "down" until he's calm, and then we move on. I think this area of his life will always be a work in progress.

You'd think our other boy Rookie would rub off on him, but nope. Rookie could care less what other dogs are around him. He loves them all, even when he should be apprehensive. He's the complete opposite.
 
Glad you're continuing to work with a trainer.

Sometimes we (handlers) are the problem, as much as I hate to admit it. Hopefully your trainer will make sure that you are positive in your handling and that you exude confidence. Any hesitation, stress, tentativeness, etc will be picked up quickly by our smart and sensitive dogs and make them nervous.

Good for you in doing the obedience classes and in starting agility. Once your trainer has worked with you some outside, do continue your obedience work outside and in different places. Indoor classes are wonderful for foundation work, but I believe that the dogs get accustomed to working with familiar dogs in a controlled environment.
 
agree- fear agression.. your pup is fearful of other dogs and reacts in agression.... not enough socializing and built up confidence as a young puppy...
you need a massive exposure of your dog to other pups- pooch parks work well if you have ability to isolate your dog in case of need, like separate small and large dog areas, for once dogs without the leash behave differently and if group of dogs at the park is laid back and stable, it will do great for your pup...or doggie daycare....
continue doing your distance work, u turns etc... take your dog for walks when he is hungry- usually even low reward kibble works as an excellent treats for hungry dog
build up" happy confidence" in your dog- make up some signal for for " zoomie time" and see if you could redirect building fear reaction into " happy reaction"
and very important- you probably get tense and anxious yourself now that you know your pup is going to react to other dogs- your pup feeds from your reaction as well... watch it, develop deep quiet breathing, quiet command etc... good luck!
 
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Sometimes we (handlers) are the problem
I completey agree you on this. I am more problem than my husband. Even though Dylan does react to other dogs whether I am walking or my husband, he reacts worse with me. My husband says because I baby him at home. May be :razz: I have to work on that. It won't be easy.

ShetieChe,
Dylan has no problem with other dogs if he is not leashed. I take him to a controlled dog park (my kennel has a dog play day every Saturday for 1 hour for free with their employees supervising) and he is fine with other dogs. It is only when he is leashed.
 
LoveDogs said:
ShetieChe,
Dylan has no problem with other dogs if he is not leashed. I take him to a controlled dog park (my kennel has a dog play day every Saturday for 1 hour for free with their employees supervising) and he is fine with other dogs. It is only when he is leashed.
Click to expand...

Bailey is the same way. She has no problem at the dog park. she wants to play, play, play. She also fine when she is up close to a dog. It's when the dog is far away, she goes crazy.
 
LoveDogs said:
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Sometimes we (handlers) are the problem
I completey agree you on this. I am more problem than my husband. Even though Dylan does react to other dogs whether I am walking or my husband, he reacts worse with me. My husband says because I baby him at home. May be :razz: I have to work on that. It won't be easy.

ShetieChe,
Dylan has no problem with other dogs if he is not leashed. I take him to a controlled dog park (my kennel has a dog play day every Saturday for 1 hour for free with their employees supervising) and he is fine with other dogs. It is only when he is leashed.
Click to expand...


It is boundry frustration. He can't get to the object he wants so he gets frustrated and starts barking and goes crazy. Also can be tension from the handler though the lead. He feels your nervous and acts. He needs to be taught to deal with his frustration. You could use leave it or a competing behavior such as watch me, sit ,down and reward that. Work on it enough and hopefully the auto response is to look at you for direction. Also keep the lead as loose as possible.
 
I'm currently working to get Jake through a similar problem. The way I explain fear aggression is this "the best DEFENSE is a good offense"
 
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