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Please help, my dog hates being sniffed

6 replies

pigsDOfly · 26/04/2014 00:02

She doesn't mind generally when we're in the park - actually, thinking about that an awful lot of dogs do seem to object to be sniffed by other dogs - but the problem starts when I take her to my daughter's house.

They have two dog's; my dog's older sister and a older Rottie. He's gentle and nice enough but he can be a bit pushy. He used to be okay with my dog, a bit annoying with too much sniffing, but since he was neutered several months ago he's got a lot worse. The last couple of times I've taken her there he's virtually stuck himself to her bum and won't leave her alone.

The last time we were there she was so distressed by it that she ended up sitting on my lap for almost the whole 6 hours of our visit - thank goodness she's a small dog - which was miserable for her and stressful for me. The only time she wasn't on my lap was when we took her and her sister out for a walk.

The upshot is I don't take her there any more. This is not ideal as they live 20 miles away and I spend the whole visit clock watching as I don't want to leave her alone too long.

Whilst they acknowledge he can be pushy and annoying with other dogs, my DD and her DP seem to feel that it's my dog's problem and if she can't deal with it she'll have to stay at home, which is fair enough I suppose as it's their house and their dog.

So my question is is there anything I can do to help her overcome her fear of him? I realise sitting her on my lap wasn't wise, but it was that, going home, or leaving her in distress on the floor.

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subtleplansarehereagain · 26/04/2014 07:50

I think you need to talk to your DD again. Her dog is being rude and making your dog unhappy. Why wouldn't she call him away, or even put him in another room until he learns not to do it? That would be a sensible response.

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SpicyPear · 26/04/2014 08:00

This is tricky. I really think he would need to be removed from the room after a short period when his behaviour got too much. I'm sympathetic to your DR'S position though. If you were a friend for example I'd totally agree she shouldn't have to put her dog out so you can bring yours. I'm trying to think how I'd feel if it was my mum and maybe this is mean, but I'm be quite peeved if I was expected to shut one of mine out to accommodate her dog. I'd probably suggest crating or her dog.

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Booboostoo · 26/04/2014 08:55

It's a difficult one. Your DD's dog should not be sniffing and annoying your dog like this, so ideally he should be distracted or removed. On the other hand it is his home so there may be a limit to how often your DD will want to exclude her own dog for your dog.

Could you not compromise so that each dog spends a bit of time with all of you and a bit of time chilling with a chew in another room?

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subtleplansarehereagain · 26/04/2014 10:11

Does your DDdog also behave like this with other dogs? It is hugely annoying for me when a dog comes and persists in sniffing my dog's bum when we are out. He doesn't like it and will growl and airsnap to make them stop. So she could be annoying a lot of different people.

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subtleplansarehereagain · 26/04/2014 10:14

Ps this was posted on another thread, perhaps your dd could read it?

www.suzanneclothier.com/the-articles/he-just-wants-say-hi

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pigsDOfly · 26/04/2014 20:35

Thank you all for your responses. I don't think I could suggests my DD removes her dog so mine can visit as it is his home. I suspect my DD would think I was being unreasonable to ask and tbh I'd feel I was being a bit cheeky to expect him to get out of my dog's way.

I would like them to be able to be in the same room so I can visit without worrying about leaving my dog alone too long.

Yes Subtle he does behave like this with other dogs and I agree it can be very annoying as a lot of dogs don't like being sniffed. It is rude and I certainly wouldn't let my dog behave like that but I suspect I'm just going to have to live with it as they don't seem to see it as a problem

Thank you for the link Subtle, it did make me smile and of course it's so true, we as humans would be very unhappy with such intrusive behaviour.

I honestly think they don't feel their dog is being annoying, I think they see it as my dog over reacting. She is okay with being sniffed, up to a point, but gets upset if an intrusive dog won't be told to watch it's manners and like your dog she will airsnap. So it's probably better all round if I leave my dog at home and keep my visits short. Shame.

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