Animal behaviourist

[gingergenius]

Hi can anyone recommend any good animal behaviourists in the coast West Sussex area for my collie cross and dog to dog aggression when being chased whilst out?

Go through the Association of Pet Behaviour Councillors www.apbc.org.uk/help/regions/southeast.
Although if your dog is reacting when chased by another (out of control) dog then I'd say that's an understandable reaction.

Thanks @FairfaxAikman - I agree and it infuriated me that other owners think a wildly careering pooch invading another dog's space (especially when it's obvious my dog doesn't want to engage) is ok because 'Fido just wants to play' and then gets annoyed, even after I've called my dog over to avoid a confrontation, their dog STILL insists on bothering mine and then gets cross because she rounds on them and snaps!
Does my head in but think some expert advice could help as she's only been like if for a year or two (she's 5)

I have a non-reactive but anti-social Dog. She has no interest in other dogs whatsoever.
It annoys me that they think their dog's right to be friendly trumps my dog's right not to be stressed.
I tend to get between my dog and theirs and make a fuss of their dog (if I can see it's friendly) while allowing mine to move off.
I've found that this satisfy people that I'm not judging their dog 's breed (it's particularly effective with staffies, which I love but the owners seem to think everyone thinks are aggressive)

We have a bandanna from YellowDog UK that says "I need space".
I tell other owners she is recovering from injury (partially true) and find they are generally less are less arsey about recalling.
More people are getting to know what yellow means on a dog so some folk gladly keep their dogs away.

Yep I have the yellow lead and collar - your suggestion sounds good but quite often she gets chased as she runs for her ball and some dogs have an uncontrollable chase reflex so it's usually when she's to far away to intervene in that way. I do call her over though. It's when the other dogs/owners don't take the hint and let their dog continue to bother her that pisses me off!

Op my dog sounds similar to yours. He is not dog aggressive but if another dog really will not leave him alone when he doesn't want to interact he had started to react negatively.

I consulted a behaviourist as a precaution to stop the situation deteriorating. Despite being very sceptical at first 4 months down the line I can see tangible positive results that I wouldn't have thought possible. His emotional response towards another dogs really has changed. My insurers have also paid for all my sessions with the behaviourist and her recommended dog walker who has 3 bomb proof dogs that we have used at stooges.

One thing I have also done is stop taking a ball out with me as I learnt that chasing a ball increases their Adrenalin levels which will make them more likely to react to other dogs or situations because they will already be closer to their threshold

. Good luck ! It does sound as though your dog may well have been behaving appropriately in the circumstances but like you I was concerned it may become learnt behaviour to react negatively towards other dogs and despite everyone around me thinking I was crazy ( very old fashioned dominance and let them fight it out attitudes) some of them are now admitting they can see a positive change in attitude and behaviour.

@babyblackbird that's really useful to know - we always take the ball for her as it's great for her to burn off her energy so will look at my insurance and see what I can come up with - hadn't even considered that!

I would actually ask the behaviourist if their sessions would be covered by insurance. If they are reputable and known in their field the insurers will be used to dealing with them and will cover the fees depending on your policy. I just sign a claim form and my behaviourist does the rest ! I think she may also claim the sessions with the dog walker ( who has a qualification in behaviour ) as if she did the sessions which might be a bit close to the mark as far as insurers are concerned , but I'm not going to complain !!!!

I will Thankyou @babyblackbird