Victoria Stillwell on Dog Bullies vs. Dominant Personalities

[HopeShelties]

No one would pick out little 13" Athena as my dominant dog... but she always has been. She doesn't fight. Often, it is just a look, or in the case of a rowdy boy trying to be obnoxious, just pushes her head up next to theirs. That's all it takes and they will back down from what they are doing.

 

[OntarioSheltie]

She is the sweetest, gentlest little dog who really just wanted lots of hugs. But how many other owners persist with the rank reduction approach and end up doing long term harm.

Yes, that's Ginny exactly. Ginny is SOO sensitive, if someone tried to do those types of rank reduction exercises with her it would turn her into a quivering mess. I've often thought to myself that its a good thing that she's ended up with us.

 

[Lysette85]

I can't believe I didn't notice this before with my post about Little Bear. I think he's a bully to Claussen but insecure at the dog park. He barks in any dogs face that wants to play, won't stand still to be sniffed. I'm wondering how I can fix this. Maybe having him on leash? People don't really like to see that at the park. When I held him still to be sniffed so he understood what the other dog wanted he growled and tried to wriggle away. Weird...BC he has never had a bad experience at the park-never been attacked I mean.

 

[OntarioSheltie]

I can't believe I didn't notice this before with my post about Little Bear. I think he's a bully to Claussen but insecure at the dog park. He barks in any dogs face that wants to play, won't stand still to be sniffed. I'm wondering how I can fix this. Maybe having him on leash? People don't really like to see that at the park. When I held him still to be sniffed so he understood what the other dog wanted he growled and tried to wriggle away. Weird...BC he has never had a bad experience at the park-never been attacked I mean.

Some times its just their personality and not something that can be fixed, only managed. Ginny did have a bad experience with another dog, however she was bossy and insecure long before that ever happened.

This might have been an indication of things to come. Caution, SERIOUS cuteness ahead.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHb-7oZNCG8&feature=plcp

 

[mcemily]

I can't believe I didn't notice this before with my post about Little Bear. I think he's a bully to Claussen but insecure at the dog park. He barks in any dogs face that wants to play, won't stand still to be sniffed. I'm wondering how I can fix this. Maybe having him on leash? People don't really like to see that at the park. When I held him still to be sniffed so he understood what the other dog wanted he growled and tried to wriggle away. Weird...BC he has never had a bad experience at the park-never been attacked I mean.

I agree with OntarioSheltie and ... it could just be LB's personality... he may just not like unfamiliar dogs. And his behavior with Claussen may be what Dr. Shelli was describing with Ember...

It could also be a maturity thing. I can't remember how old Claussen and Little Bear are (and I know you just posted an update thread about them a few days ago... my short-term memory needs work)... but LB's uncertainty at the dog park, and unwillingness to be sniffed, sounds a lot like Lerwick. Lerwick never had a bad experience at the Dog Park either, but like LB he was scared of other dogs and insecure there anyway. It's just part of his personality. He LOVES people... not shy at all around strangers... but other dogs are a different matter. He used to run away from other dogs (which would only make them want to chase him, silly boy), and really went out of his way to try to prevent them from sniffing him. He became a master of the rapid-sit whenever a dog went in for a sniff.

He has been much, much better since we had him neutered though (at 9 months). He is happy to oblige the bum-sniffers, and will even sniff back. But he still doesn't like it when dogs sniff his face. He is also much better/braver when he and the other dogs are off-leash, generally speaking. When we are walking him, and meet other people walking their dogs, he is much more likely to be afraid and try to get as far away from them as his leash will allow.

He never barks at them, though, or lunges. Fortunately he doesn't do the fear aggression thing. He always flees the field whenever he perceives a challenge (real or imagined). This is especially evident when we're playing fetch with him at the dog park. If another dog comes anywhere near him (even if they're just passing by), he'll immediately drop his hollee roller (or veer off-course if he's still in the chasing stage) and move away a few feet. We spend a lot of time getting our toy back from other dogs, LOL.

 

[Lysette85]

Yes, LB and Claussen are both just over a year old. (neither are fixed yet). LB likes chasing the other dogs, and he's begun a new habit of getting involved if 2 dogs are playing aggressively. He'll dive right in and either nip at one or try to mount one. He doesn't sit when dogs try to smell him, he just turns around to face them. He loves meeting other dogs...but there's a personal or playful line he rarely crosses unless we are just around 1 dog. The only dogs I've ever seen him fall in love with and play whole heartedly with have been small poodles. Still need to catch some new video of his new behaviors.The weather hasn't been obliging lately.

 

[Diana]

Hey DanteBella, I definitely would consider keeping Little Bear on leash in the dog park until he learns to behave the way you want him to. As far as I'm concerned, with Buffy, off-leash time has to be earned. If she doesn't come back (or if she otherwise misbehaves) she loses dog park/beach free run privileges.

And I don't really care what other owners in the dog park say. It is my responsibility to train her well and if that means she's on leash, that's my business. I don't get why they care. When I see someone else doing training I stay out of the way and give them respect for it. It is so much better to see someone doing something about their dog's problem rather than ignoring it as it gets out of control.

You could also consider having structured play time/play dates in a backyard or park with people you know so as not to overwhelm your dogs.

 

[SheltieChe]

sometimes people have these really good doggie daycare facilities where they match your dog with appr playmates. They usually run by dog trainers that specialize in behavioral issues.

 

[Lysette85]

Our park has the "no-leash" rule, (if you want to train you gotta go someplace else) but people often ignore the rule. The only instances I've ever had with a dog being on leash at the park is when the handler has no idea what they're doing. Watching a hundred lb dog in a harness lunging all over the place and getting frustrated because it wants to get at the other dogs zipping by created a dangerous situation for everyone. I think what I'll do is use a 15-20 ft lead for training. LB has perfect recalls. He's such a momma's boy...but it's going to be an interesting process to try to alter some of his quirky behaviors. There are doggie daycares around here I'm sure. That would be great for him I think. I do want to get him and Claussen fixed first though and see if it makes any difference-good or bad-with behavior (in addition to working with them separately for now).

 

[Tagg]

I'm not a fan of dog parks and definately not a fan of leashing while at one. Here's why. In a home pack, there is usually a clear boss - in our case it is Phoebe. She seldom growls, never barks but a look from her will stop even the visitor dogs from getting rowdy. She also protected Tinsel from newcomers when they got too pushy. She didn't lunge at them but she backed them up and they listened. Once she was sure that they had figured out the rules she went back to lay down and ignored them.
At a dog park, unless it is always the same dogs on any given day, your dog has to figure out who is the boss each time it enters the area. It changes all the time which takes away the feeling of security in knowledge. Owners tend to ignore the goings on while they chat with each other until something happens - too late for the victim.
A confident dog will wander up and sniff while watching body language of the other dogs. Once it figures out who the lead dog is, it will be prepared to watch for boss dog's messages while it goes about playing. A less than confident dog is immediately at a disadvantage. It's nervousness is noticed by the group and it will be pushed by those less nervous. It will quickly learn to either submit a lot or take a position of offense to try to keep them back. If you own a dog that is a leader and thrust it in with another that is unwilling to share the title, a fight can break out quickly.
A nervous dog on a lead will often get confidence from it's owner and will push back more strongly but it is still nervous and now can't control it's situation. If will also get the messages that you are transmitting down the lead so if you are apprehensive then it will become moreso. I suggest you watch the terrier ring at a show. Most often, the dog making the most noise is the least confident although many of the spectators think otherwise.
Finally, if a fight does break out then not only are you in the middle but you either have to jerk your dog out - exposing him/her to worse injury or hope that there is no tangling of the lead around the dogs concerned.