Dog Growling at Other Dogs

[Popbiscuit]

Hi Doggy People,
Does anyone have any tricks or advice for dealing with a dog that growls at other dogs when out walking?

We have a three year old Westie who is fantastic with all people, children, babies etc. but very growly when we're out walking and she meets dogs that she doesn't like the look of (friendly Goldens, calm Labs and small quiet dogs OK but any dog that looks menacing or is hyperactive triggers pre-emptive growling that gets louder as the dog approaches). She also does this weird thing where she crouches on the ground (as if about to pounce) when any dog approaches. It's getting increasingly challenging to walk her and I'd love to know if anyone has any advice? She's a lovely and obedient dog in all other respects but on walks she drives me CRAZY. Help!

I am no expert but I understand when they crouch that way it is a sign of being submissive. My vizsla does the same thing (and she is quite large and leggy :) ) and she will often emit a low growl before the dog approaches. There appears to be no aggression in the growl though.

Could you perhaps try distracting her when she begins growling - either with your voice or a treat so that she learns to associate a potentially menacing dog with a positive experience?

Because my dog is a little unpredictable with regards to meeting other dogs (no aggression but has been on the receiving end of a few nips and barks because she thinks everyone loves her and wants to play), I will often make her sit on the side of the path until the other dog has passed by. She is made to wait to say hello and I either stand tall alongside if she seems okay or I crouch beside her, stroking her chest and telling her "be calm".

Thanks for replying, Ujjayi. Yes, she's a generally submissive dog, I think (often does the rolling over on her back thing). I like the idea of pulling her over and giving treats for desired behaviour so will give that a try. Dogs are so funny sometimes, this behaviour seemed to come out of nowhere...very puzzling.

What's her tail doing when she does the growl and crouch? Wagging or straight out with perhaps a shimmer at the end?

And is her bum in the air with her front feet out in front of her? Or does she look properly pouncey?

My dog growing up used to sit down when another dog approached, ears flat and teeth bared, but silent. She looked a bit like William Shakespeare with false gnashers. Sorry, this is irrelevant

Daisy, her tail is straight out with a shimmer when she's doing the crouch thing (she goes as low to the ground as she possibly can...like a tiger in the grass). When the other dog approaches she will either pounce and growl-bark (she's not bitten...yet) or approach with her tail wagging (gingerly) if she likes the look of the dog.

I find it interesting that she always seems to have a negative reaction to dogs that I don't like the look of, although I try really hard not to alter my behaviour in any way. I know it's said that horses can sense your emotions through your hands on the reins...are dogs the same do you think?

Chickens, that's a funny story...sounds a bit like what ours is doing. Wish I knew what she was thinking? It would be quite funny actually if it wasn't practically challenging--dogs can be such weirdos .

I have a dog who does this although he wags his tail.. but it doesn't sound any less agressive - he's not, but other dog owners aren't to know that.

He used to be my guide dog but unfortunately growling/barking at the local dogs is not condusive to good guide dog behavior or promoting the positive image of guide dogs and thus he is sadly a guide dog no more. (and there is unfortunately a long and painful story behind that. not that I'm bitter or anything, oh no).

Anyway, things I have tried have included:

Positive reward for not barking at dog and sitting quietly at the site of the path.

A halty to control him so he coudld not lunge towards other dogs.

A corrective collar (one with the air cannister attached, nothing too extreme, just before I get lynched).

All unsuccessful sadly. It is always better if you see the dog before he does then it's easier to distract him before he gets into a state..

And he's actually far worse on the lead than off it.

Sorry to hear that, wannabe. It is alarming for other dog owners and it's quite stressful when they behave like that. I can extrapolate to a situation where your dog is supposed to be performing a job...no fun.

At the moment I try to spot dogs before she does and distract / avoid but it's not always possible as we often walk to school along a route where lots of people walk their dogs and children and she will plant herself on the sidewalk in the 'pounce' position if she sees a dog up-ahead or coming up behind us. I'm never sure what to do in those situations...pull her with some force? pick her up? Either way I think I'm going to have to spend some time going back to basics with her because it's becoming quite an obstacle for everyone (and embarrassing for me).

When we do off-leash walks through the woods we encounter lots of dogs and she's absolutely fine, strangely. Seems to be something about the on-leash dynamic that gets her back up.

Pop - dogs do feel all of your emotions, they seem to just pick them up by magic. I expect she is picking up on your thoughts and interpreting them the only way she knows how - with an agressive response. She's picking up your nerves and expressing them the only way she knows how - with agression.

Is she better off the lead? My guess is she would be.

If you spot a situation developing in good time, try jollying her out of it. A real no nonsense jolly hockey stick sort of voice, talking nonsense in a really, really happy, upbeat voice. Is there a toy - maybe one of those squeaky tennis balls - which you can keep just for walks and use as a distraction. By keeping it just for walks whatever you choose to use will become a real high value thing; it'll eventually be associated with positive, happy energy.

If you can't jolly her out of it with something really, really distracting - even stinky stilton cheese or liver cake - keep her on a really short lead, absolutely ignore her and keep on going very purposely.

Try not to reinforce what she's doing with any sort of attention, be it confrontation, talking or cuddles. Show her you mean business. Kind, but business.

Thank you, Daisy. That's a great idea re: the squeaker--she loves them and I think that would work really well as I don't often get time to play that with her (the children do but she prefers to play with me) so it would be something quite novel to use on walks.
I will have to practice my jolly-hockey sticks voice . Like Barbara Woodhouse, yes?

Yes - but way, way happier!

Like you're the happiest, most confident person in the world - talking nonsense if you have to. Get the squeaker out just before you think she's going to go into a crouch. Surprise her with it. It'll mean watching her behaviour like a hawk.

But only take that approach if you have her attention. If she's not focused on you (she should be with a stupid voice and a squeaky thing) then don't give her the opportunity to ignore you. Do the marching past with her on a very short lead - I mean short enough that she has to be by your leg - and ignoring her completely bit. She'll have little choice but keep up with you even if you have to drag her a bit.

Make sure the walk and the lead bit shows that you mean business - that you're fed up with the nonsense - the emotions a dog can pick up don't stop at fear.

I don't mean any sort of physical nastiness; just very, very purposeful.

Once she's done it right, then she can have praise or a treat.

OK. Got it. I'll report back and let you know how it goes.

Thanks .

Your dog is scared and can't escape because she's on her lead. Remove her from the threat (another dog) and reassure her. Making her face what frightens her won't help.