2 yr old rescue dog hates other dogs.. help!

[mollythetortoise]

hello, my sister has recently (3 weeks ago) rehomed a 2 yr old irish terrier.
He was left in a house in Ireland when owners moved out. He is great with people and especially children - no aggression at all and loves human attention.

But when out walking he goes completely crazy when he spots another dog.
My sister has taken to walking him v. early in morning and v.late at night to avoid other dogs and he can never be off lead.

Is there any hope to help him cope with other dogs?
She is taking him to lesson - but he has to be barricaded in by chairs from the other dogs, although he has calmed by the end of the session.

would a behaviourist help?

advice gratefully received.

Yes a behaviourist would be a really good idea.

Irish Terries are a feisty breed at the best of times and not knowing this dog's history (except to say his previous owners obviously didn't care enough to take him with them or find him a new home, which in itself speaks volumes) imho this isn't something someone without a lot of experience should try to sort out on their own.

Is your sister in the UK or Ireland?

UK behaviourists are listed here by region on the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors website, but your sister will need a veterinary referral to access them.

COAPE (Centre of Applied Pet Ethology) Association of Pet Behaviour Trainers here have behaviourists listed for the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

Hth.

thanks MM. She is in UK (london). I'll pass this list to her..

My dog used to be like this. I found that just exposing him slowly to other dogs helped. He still is not great, as in he will ump all over the other dogs like a puppy, wanting to play, but te other dogs don't see it that way, as he is not a puppy.

We have a behaviorist offering us phone and email advice about this but as yet haven't found a time that suits both partys for a one on one appointment.

But he seems to think that slow and steady introduction and lots of calm behavior from me, treats when he does well etc are the way to go for now.

If your sister is tense when she passes another dog, her dog will pick up on this and behave accordingly.