labgirl
Forums Sage
I'm sorry to hear you are feeling so frustrated, I started to read your first post and before I even got down to her reaction I thought, that dog is going to react.
Think of it this way. If every day you walked past a yard where people hurled abuse at you how long would it take before you snapped back? And what if for some reason you couldn't snap at them, but you were still all pent up and angry, so you snapped at the first person you met (in my case probably mum) and they would say 'whoa! What did I do to deserve that?'
So I kind of feel for Ellie, because no one likes being insulted and barked at. Not that her reaction was right, of course, but still, I understand it.
So this would be my plan;
1) Yes, agree with not avoiding the route, however flooding may be too much for Ellie. Rather I would have her focus her attention on me with a treat or toy and then walk her so close to the yards. As soon as she started to tense or look about to react I would turn away and say lots of praise. Then I would go back again a little closer this time, again and again, until she could walk passed those dogs looking at me. (I did this with Cadbury in a similar situation and it worked very well).
2) Ellie needs to know you are going to protect her and these dogs need not bother her. So *always* put yourself between Ellie and the dogs. You are her barrier. Then develop a mock attitude of utter contempt for these dogs. Say to yourself "What silly dogs." Say to Ellie "Aren't those dogs stupid, you are waaaay better than them." This attitude relaxes you, even makes you laugh a little and because you relax and act confident Ellie will relax too.
I do this whenever I come across such a dog, I don't even look at them. Cadbury no longer reacts to these dogs, I even once left him in a car beside two barking JRTs, not a peep out of him.
Your response to these dogs will greatly influence Ellie. Show her you don't give a fig about those dogs and she will respond to that.
3) This is where my slightly mean side comes out! I would take a squirty water bottle with me and every time those dogs charged out of their yard at me I would squirt them between the eyes. Practice and it won't even look like you have moved your hand.
I would make it absolutely clear to those dogs you DO NOT bark at me or my dog. If you do, water between the eyes. It won't harm them but it will make them stop and think.
This tactic will make Ellie realise that mum can protect her, that she need not bark because mum has it sorted. Some might think me mean for doing that, but why should someone else's dog upset mine?
4) Lastly, I think you and Ellie should do some classes together. Its ok getting her trained, but you need to know that you are doing things right. Subtle things can affect your dog. Plus if Ellie is smart (which I think she is) obedience, agility, flyball or a combination of them will benefit her enormously.
Training will bond you together so she learns she can trust you. Once she does a lot of these problems will evaporate.
Cadbury is a smart but insecure dog. I had to work on that bond so that he would trust me when it came to aggressive dogs and loud noises. He does now and he will even sit outside with me and watch fireworks because I let him know its safe and OK.
You can do this with Ellie, but it just needs a little work. Good luck
Think of it this way. If every day you walked past a yard where people hurled abuse at you how long would it take before you snapped back? And what if for some reason you couldn't snap at them, but you were still all pent up and angry, so you snapped at the first person you met (in my case probably mum) and they would say 'whoa! What did I do to deserve that?'
So I kind of feel for Ellie, because no one likes being insulted and barked at. Not that her reaction was right, of course, but still, I understand it.
So this would be my plan;
1) Yes, agree with not avoiding the route, however flooding may be too much for Ellie. Rather I would have her focus her attention on me with a treat or toy and then walk her so close to the yards. As soon as she started to tense or look about to react I would turn away and say lots of praise. Then I would go back again a little closer this time, again and again, until she could walk passed those dogs looking at me. (I did this with Cadbury in a similar situation and it worked very well).
2) Ellie needs to know you are going to protect her and these dogs need not bother her. So *always* put yourself between Ellie and the dogs. You are her barrier. Then develop a mock attitude of utter contempt for these dogs. Say to yourself "What silly dogs." Say to Ellie "Aren't those dogs stupid, you are waaaay better than them." This attitude relaxes you, even makes you laugh a little and because you relax and act confident Ellie will relax too.
I do this whenever I come across such a dog, I don't even look at them. Cadbury no longer reacts to these dogs, I even once left him in a car beside two barking JRTs, not a peep out of him.
Your response to these dogs will greatly influence Ellie. Show her you don't give a fig about those dogs and she will respond to that.
3) This is where my slightly mean side comes out! I would take a squirty water bottle with me and every time those dogs charged out of their yard at me I would squirt them between the eyes. Practice and it won't even look like you have moved your hand.
I would make it absolutely clear to those dogs you DO NOT bark at me or my dog. If you do, water between the eyes. It won't harm them but it will make them stop and think.
This tactic will make Ellie realise that mum can protect her, that she need not bark because mum has it sorted. Some might think me mean for doing that, but why should someone else's dog upset mine?
4) Lastly, I think you and Ellie should do some classes together. Its ok getting her trained, but you need to know that you are doing things right. Subtle things can affect your dog. Plus if Ellie is smart (which I think she is) obedience, agility, flyball or a combination of them will benefit her enormously.
Training will bond you together so she learns she can trust you. Once she does a lot of these problems will evaporate.
Cadbury is a smart but insecure dog. I had to work on that bond so that he would trust me when it came to aggressive dogs and loud noises. He does now and he will even sit outside with me and watch fireworks because I let him know its safe and OK.
You can do this with Ellie, but it just needs a little work. Good luck
