Calling all Dog Experts!!!

[thedogsgottago]

Hey there, can anyone give me any tips on how to control a lurcher bitch who goes balistic at other dogs?
To be honest I think she's a lost cause but looking at other posts there seem to be a few people on here who know a thing or two about dogs so any suggestions welcome!

can you give a bit more info? age, history, health, diet, amount and type of exercise and what exactly happens with other dogs - is it all other dogs all the time or can it vary?

am wondering specifically if it is smaller dogs, as she might see these as prey

No not smaller dogs, any dog really, labs, boxers, westies, jack russells are particular hates.
Shes about 8 now, got her from dog home when she was about 4, they knew nothing about her just that she was picked up in ireland and thought she'd been used for hare coursing.
She is NEVER let off lead now, but when she was she has a very strong chase instinct and would be off like a shot.
She's fed dry lamb and rice, walked twice a day with my other 2 dogs, in the house the most perfect well behaved dog, outside a flipping monster!!
When she sees a dog, she justtarts jumping up and barking, snarling, whimpering and pulling like mad, she's had me over a few times!

do you do anything to correct the behaviour at the time? not suggesting these things, but for example spraying her with water?

I think, fwiw, that you would need to get a properly qualified behaviourist to witness her behaviour. Ask your vet for a referral or look for someone via the APBC website.

HTH

APBC

is really difficult without meeting her and getting an idea of her strengths (as would play to those where possible) and also seeing her body language at the time (is it fear-aggression, perhaps she has been attacked in the past? excitement?) but some of the things we've tried with similar problems have been:

socialisation groups - we had a lovely 7 acre paddock (which am still mourning loss of ), very securely fenced, and found that dogs who had big problems on leads in public socialised very well off the lead in our groups, then we'd reintroduce the lead and a few weeks of this made a big difference in every case but one particularly hardcore one

decide what you want her to do when she sees a dog instead of 'going ballistic', what might she be capable of? would she sit and 'watch you' as other dogs go by, or play with a toy? do you have any friends with dogs who might help once or twice a week, by walking past at intervals?

We have a rescue JRT who was like that. He was fine with our other dog, but dreadful with any unknown dog.

I took him to dog trainng classes (clicker training and socialisation). The first few weeks were dreadful, I used to come home exaughsted, but we stuck with it and it made a huge difference to his behaviour.

He's not perfect, but I can (usually) walk him past other dogs without too much fuss.

It also helped with his recall which is hugely improved.

do you walk her using a headcollar like a halti or a dogmatic?
This has curbed our large rhodesian ridgeback 12 mth old bitch who is very over excitable and lunges.
We now walk her backwards and using food lure her away til she is distracted and focuses back on us.
Or we simply keep a tight lead and saying nothing just walk briskly past other dogs.

Does she get to play with other dogs at all ever?
It may be that she has never learned "dog manners"

Yhanks very much for your replies.
We did training classes, but she never exhibited the behaviour in that environment so never really got to learn what to do when she did.
Not sure if its fear, we dont let her off the lead anymore, but when we first had her we did and if she was on the other side of a field to us and came across a dog she would'nt attack, just go up to it, unhappy though, as tail would be up and all hairs on back would be up then have a sniff then chuck herself to the ground and roll about wildly!
However if she was near us and saw a dog she would generally attack it, she was muzzled so no damage done.
Its a real shame I cant let her off as she LOVES to run and her recall with no dogs about (or rabbits)) is pretty good.

Sounds like fear, exacerbated by being on the lead and knowing she can't escape.

But you really need someone to see her.

Does sound like fear and not knowing how to socilaise to other dogs. Unfortunately, but you have to do it, the fact that she has to meet other dogs on a lead or you are restricing other dogs she meets actually makes the problem worse.

However the solution is not to let her off lead! You do need to see a behaviourist who should have some solid dogs who will help to give your dog confidence.

If untreated this will get worse and her life will become more restricted. Really is worth getting it sorted with professional help.

OK thanks, have looked at that APBC site and found one that does our area, have to go through vets for referal first though.

The (registered, degree qualified) behaviouralist I know recommends allowing the dog a longer amount of lead in these situations. The theory is that the dog feels less fear on a longer lead as he isn't being trapped with absolutely no-where to go. Obviously this isn't the answer if you're in very close proximity to another dog though!

My friend used this approach upon her very lead-stroppy dog within the behaviouralist's classes and it was remarkably successful. It may be worth a try whilst you are waiting for a referral.

Btw, this particular behaviouralist gives classes (usually about 6 to 8 dogs at a time) via and at a local rescue and can be booked without a vet's referral. Perhaps rescues or dog groups local to you (an agility/flyball club or online forum?) might know of a reputable behaviouralist with a similar policy?