Darla has been doing fantastically since recovering from a broken leg. As she had been crated at home with no outside interaction for 4 months, my vet suggested she attend puppy socialisation class again to get her re-aquatinted with dogs. Well, I am very happy to say she didn't become shy due to her isolation, she's as friendly as she ever was.
We went as usual tonight and as there were a few new young pups we kept her on the leash so they could explore first. Darla was not happy with this arrangement. She howled, whined and even barked (she never barks) at the pups, wanting to join in on the fun. She has done this a fair number of times before, always at the vets surgery when she sees other dogs and people and at obedience class with other dogs. She will whine if we are out on a walk and I stop for any reason. I guess it's her way of communicating that she is frustrated that we have stopped or that she isn't free to run and play with the dogs she sees.
My fiancé and I have tried correcting her when she does it as it is very loud and disturbing for others, especially in vet surgery with sick animals around. We will say no in a harsh voice which stops her getting into mischief at home, but she will just look at you and then go back to whining if we are anywhere but at home. Clearly that isn't working and not the way to go with her.
The nurse commented tonight that Darla was whining and looking back and forth between the pups and me and my fiancé as if she was asking to be off leash. I wonder then if the key to this is to actually ignore her when she is whining, no eye contact, nothing, and only pay attention to her when she goes quiet for a second or two? Perhaps by 'telling her off' we were giving her the attention she wanted?
Either that or should we try and re-direct her behaviour? It would have to be something terribly exciting as she is most driven by attention from other people and animals over food and toys.
Other than that, she came home tonight a very tired and happy pup!
We went as usual tonight and as there were a few new young pups we kept her on the leash so they could explore first. Darla was not happy with this arrangement. She howled, whined and even barked (she never barks) at the pups, wanting to join in on the fun. She has done this a fair number of times before, always at the vets surgery when she sees other dogs and people and at obedience class with other dogs. She will whine if we are out on a walk and I stop for any reason. I guess it's her way of communicating that she is frustrated that we have stopped or that she isn't free to run and play with the dogs she sees.
My fiancé and I have tried correcting her when she does it as it is very loud and disturbing for others, especially in vet surgery with sick animals around. We will say no in a harsh voice which stops her getting into mischief at home, but she will just look at you and then go back to whining if we are anywhere but at home. Clearly that isn't working and not the way to go with her.
The nurse commented tonight that Darla was whining and looking back and forth between the pups and me and my fiancé as if she was asking to be off leash. I wonder then if the key to this is to actually ignore her when she is whining, no eye contact, nothing, and only pay attention to her when she goes quiet for a second or two? Perhaps by 'telling her off' we were giving her the attention she wanted?
Either that or should we try and re-direct her behaviour? It would have to be something terribly exciting as she is most driven by attention from other people and animals over food and toys.
Other than that, she came home tonight a very tired and happy pup!
She ran back to me after she had said hello so we are making progress 
