Hello everyone, my 9 months pup Benjamin had not been socialised well and recently he's started to initiate plays (we think it's play) with other dogs but sometimes he's really agressive, i.e. he barks and a sometimes growls a bit. He also nips at other dogs when he approaches them. I don't want him to do this in case he bites into them so was thinking to put a muzzle on him when we take him out for walks for now, he can still approach other dogs but he won't be able to nip at them. Is this a good way of doing it? Has anyone had the same or similar situation? Thanks
Muzzles
- Thread starter She-u
- Start date
Caro
Moderator
Barking and growling can be play, so can nipping. If you aren't good at reading dog language you need to look at how the other dog responds to determine if it's play. My Tully always barks and growls when she plays, she also barks at other dogs to go away, so its a matter of knowing which bark it is. How is he standing when he barks and growls? Is the bark high pitched, single barks or rapid barks?
I applaud you for considering a muzzle, there are a lot of dogs out there that should wear them. However, in your situation it probably won't help. You could find play behaviours end up in frustrated aggression.
I think you need to work on introducing him to other dogs. At this time limit how long he spends with other dogs. Short introductions - sniff and walk away. If the other dog is interested then stick to 5min or less. If Benjamin shows signs of getting silly, the other dog gets annoyed or he nips turn around and walk away.
I applaud you for considering a muzzle, there are a lot of dogs out there that should wear them. However, in your situation it probably won't help. You could find play behaviours end up in frustrated aggression.
I think you need to work on introducing him to other dogs. At this time limit how long he spends with other dogs. Short introductions - sniff and walk away. If the other dog is interested then stick to 5min or less. If Benjamin shows signs of getting silly, the other dog gets annoyed or he nips turn around and walk away.
thanks for the advice. his barkings sometimes are high pitch with a herding position, this one i know he wants to play. the barks are always just a few, not rapid, but sometimes when he growls (this sometimes in a herding position and sometimes standing up) he shows his teeth, but then again, it stops in a couple of seconds. we want to be careful because some of the owners back away when benjamin approaches their dogs and we had to apologise to them. if the other dog doesn't response, benjamin would (only sometimes) stretches his neck to sniff, the other dog usually will sniff too then we are all good.
i bought a muzzle today i think we will still put it on for him because when we take him out we have to go through this very narrow pavement first, and this pavement is ever so busy with people and kids.
am definitely not very good at reading dogs body language, but am learning to...
how old is Tully? she still barks and growls now or was it when she was a puppy?
i bought a muzzle today i think we will still put it on for him because when we take him out we have to go through this very narrow pavement first, and this pavement is ever so busy with people and kids.
am definitely not very good at reading dogs body language, but am learning to...
how old is Tully? she still barks and growls now or was it when she was a puppy?
trini
Forums Sage
Just from a written description it is impossible to tell if Benjamin is only being playful or if he is showing some level of aggression.
My dogs all do the play growling and grabbing each other (usually around the ruff area) when they are playing...it is just part of the game...and it can sound really fierce at times but there is never any hurt involved.
Trini
My dogs all do the play growling and grabbing each other (usually around the ruff area) when they are playing...it is just part of the game...and it can sound really fierce at times but there is never any hurt involved.
Trini
Caro
Moderator
Tully's nearly 8yrs old, and she's done it all her life. She was a timid dog when she was younger, but she's also very vocal. She 'talks' to people and barks to play with other dogs and the cats, although she isn't a barker the rest of the time.
I know what you mean with people's reactions. Deska does a full on spin and bark when he's being silly. It's part of his clown act and he usually does it with young dogs. Dogs get it, they usually try to pull in his direction to play, but many owners don't. They think he's being aggressive, when actually a spin makes him more vulnerable and therefore less threatening to another dog.
I think you'll find people assume a dog with a muzzle on is aggressive and will avoid you like the plague, so he may not get to play at all. Another option is to put a t-shirt or vest on him that says "give me space" or "in training" so people are more careful. This is something that a local company produce http://www.blackdog.net.au/more-stuff/other-stuff-for-doggies/dog-vest-give-space-small. Or you can get a t-shirt made up. Otherwise I have a friend who just got a white dog t-shirt and some fabric marker pens and wrote it on.
I know what you mean with people's reactions. Deska does a full on spin and bark when he's being silly. It's part of his clown act and he usually does it with young dogs. Dogs get it, they usually try to pull in his direction to play, but many owners don't. They think he's being aggressive, when actually a spin makes him more vulnerable and therefore less threatening to another dog.
I think you'll find people assume a dog with a muzzle on is aggressive and will avoid you like the plague, so he may not get to play at all. Another option is to put a t-shirt or vest on him that says "give me space" or "in training" so people are more careful. This is something that a local company produce http://www.blackdog.net.au/more-stuff/other-stuff-for-doggies/dog-vest-give-space-small. Or you can get a t-shirt made up. Otherwise I have a friend who just got a white dog t-shirt and some fabric marker pens and wrote it on.