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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

My dog went for another dog

35 replies

summersolstice43 · 03/04/2022 15:54

Im mortified while writing this but need some advice.

I had my dog out for a walk to a new area today. Hes quite reactive to other dogs (growling and pulling) as he's on his lead but once he gets to sniff them he's fine. Anyway, he was being his usual growling self, had sniffed a few dogs and was fine then went to another dog and just went for it. There was nothing at all that other dog did. Luckily he was on his lead and I pulled him back and told him off while apologising to the owners, other dog was fine as no contact made.

My dog is a small terrier and is a rescue so I dont know much of his past. He interacts with other family dogs and kids and is great but today I got really worried. How do I train him out of this? Do I get him a muzzle for walks?

OP posts:
SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 03/04/2022 16:13

I think a muzzle would be a good idea. Hopefully, as he gets more used to you, he may settle down more, and become better socialised.

Perhaps a pet behaviourist might be able to help?

user3837313202 · 03/04/2022 16:16

Muzzle training would be a good idea - it will help you relax and the dog will sense that too. However you can't just bung a muzzle on and expect the dog to be ok with it - it's a process. From memory Blue Cross have info on their website and Chirag Patel has a good video.

You'd benefit from a session with an APBC CCAB or ABTC qualified behaviourist to help you work out what's going on. Which rescue did he come from? Some have quite good post adoption support.

Original poster
summersolstice43 · 03/04/2022 16:25

I will look into a behaviourist too. Thank you.
He was from a local rescue to me who are not great to be honest. I had to take him to be neutered as he wasn't done and also to be chipped, although when I took him the vet told me he was chipped so the rescue place hadn't even checked. So speaking to them is out of the question.
I was hoping once he was settled with me he would be better while out walking but today has scared me.
I will look into the steps for muzzles too as I've never used one before. Thank you.

OP posts:
Leonberger · 03/04/2022 16:25

So your dog is telling you he’s not happy about interacting with the others. He’s growling and lunging, basically telling you he does not like it. I would listen to him.

Increase distance and consult a behaviourist.

Remember not every dog is a social butterfly and that’s okay! On lead greetings are very stressful and unnatural for dogs, there’s no need for them really!

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 03/04/2022 16:37

I personally don't think a muzzle is necessary just make sure your dog has enough space from other dogs. Most dogs do not like all other dogs and most dogs don't like greeting another dog on lead.

I have a terrier and he is fine with most dogs but generally I avoid any on lead interaction as he finds it stressful. I allow him to interact off lead with other dogs I know but otherwise he only goes off lead when there's no other dogs about.

If he is reacting to other dogs as they walk passed (growling, lunging, barking etc) then this can be worked on with training. Basically by having lots of very high value treats and keeping the dogs attention on you. If he still reacts you are too close to the other dog and need to do the same thing but with more distance between you and the other dog.

Burnamer · 03/04/2022 16:41

Muzzles can be very complicated and can make dogs feel at a disadvantage - if he’s reacting because he’s already uncomfortable it could make things worse and very stressful for him. I would think a good behaviourist would be better bet.

Original poster
summersolstice43 · 03/04/2022 17:17

Just a bit of context, he pulls while wagging his tail, gets nose to nose with the other dogs and is fine, no negative behaviour at all until today. Hes always been good with other dogs but today has worried me and he won't be going for walks near other dogs anytime soon unless its unavoidable like it was today.
I appreciate all advice. Ive looked at videos on muzzle training which looks easy enough. Ive also enquired about behaviourist but at £80 a session it seems a bit expensive. Not sure if that's the average price?

OP posts:
Clymene · 03/04/2022 17:30

On lead interactions can be fraught.

paws4udogs.wordpress.com/2013/11/18/like-a-handshake-but-with-noses-and-butts/

I don't encourage on lead greeting to be honest - it can be troublesome for lots of dogs so I think it's best avoided

Iamkmackered1979 · 03/04/2022 17:43

Tail wagging can be a sign of anxiety too, don’t let him sniff other dogs. There is no need for it. There is a man who allows his daft bouncy pup to jump over my almost 2 year old retriever and he hates it and it winds him up. Man - he’s just playing me my dog doesn’t want to play with your dog so my boy gets all wound up whilst I try to walk on with this daft pup all over him. I’ve told the man the next dog might really dislike it and go for him, man said dog needs to learn. Infuriated me!!

Behaviourist is a good idea, they can help you learn your dogs body language and what his triggers are. It’s a minefield but once you have the correct tools you will be fine. Don’t just stick a muzzle on. My dog has a head collar and it took a good while to shape him to wear it. So let him sniff it, (marker word/clicker) treat (can be food or a toy)
Do that a few times then put it over his nose - don’t fasten - remove quickly then mark/treat and so on and build up until he can wear it happily without trying to scratch his face off or rub it on the ground. Any negativity back off and try again and stay away from other dogs on walks - no greetings any dogs you know he likes you could scatter feed nearby or have a squeaky ball - I use a little wubba as my boy loves it. Some relationship training might be good so his eyes are on you always - your his high value treat. I’m glad you’ve recognised the issue and are doing something about it hope things improve

Iamkmackered1979 · 03/04/2022 17:48

Behaviourists are expensive, that’s quite cheap tbh. Check your insurance there are some who include behaviour consults but often has to be via vet referral - pet plan/bought by many/kennel club are a few I’ve heard of who include it in some plans

GiantCheeseMonster · 03/04/2022 18:00

You want to aim for him basically ignoring other dogs. They don’t need to interact - we don’t interact with most of the strangers we walk past every day and dogs should be the same. I would give other dogs a wide berth and praise/treat for him ignoring them and looking at you.

Original poster
summersolstice43 · 03/04/2022 18:06

These are great tips, thank you all.

I never even thought of a squeaky ball, he loves a ball so I'll take one out with us. He's not allowed off his lead as I've not had him very long yet so I need him trained before that.
I never thought of his insurance, I get his through our vet. I did ask at the vets about his reactiveness and was told it will decrease once neutered. He's been neutered 6 weeks now.
I'll look at behaviour and take all these tips on board before I go down the muzzel route. I would just put it on him for walks that are popular with other dog walkers and might be busy and not his daily ones. Might give him lots of time to get used to one too.
Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
PineappleRingo · 03/04/2022 18:56

Insurance may help cover the cost of a behaviourist so look into that too

stevalnamechanger · 03/04/2022 19:00

Look up southend dog training and start their training programme

oliviastwisted · 03/04/2022 19:05

It is extremely common.

My dog gets growled and lunged at almost every day on our walks and he is absolutely placid and beyond unreactive.

It is always small dogs and particularly terriers because they either have small dog syndrome or they are terrified by my dogs size as he is a very large greyhound.

If you keep your dog a safe distance from other dogs and try to get him more used to other dogs over time on the lead then personally I wouldn’t get too worked up. None of the owners around here seem to get remotely worked up about their dogs doing it and my fog just looks back non plussed at the offenders.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 03/04/2022 19:06

I would stop letting him interact with other dogs full-stop until you've spoken to a behaviourist.

Please do NOT get this dog neutered. That's possibly the worst thing you can do with a reactive dog. He needs a behaviourist, not surgery.

oliviastwisted · 03/04/2022 19:13

Please do NOT get this dog neutered

I suspect if the fig came from a rescue then neutering will have been one of the conditions for adoption.

JMPB · 03/04/2022 19:25

I disagree with the above.
Neutering may help, it helped with my reactive terrier. We would have had him some regardless though xx

scochran · 03/04/2022 19:31

I've got a reactive rescue. We've been bumbling along trying this and that for 11 years now. I've learnt he can be ok with most dogs but an unneutered male makes him very stressed and aggressive so I haven't risked off lead much although my other dogs always off lead. However my daughter's unneutered chiouhaha is here and he is fine with him as he's so small.
The best is distracting with treats to learn to walk past calmly but never works if other males unneutered. Nothing works!
We've tried muzzles and he accepted it with training but I decided just to keep him on lead. We walk loads and used to run together so plenty of exercise.
I went to a behaviourist who said fear aggression which sounds right. It's hard because he's a nice dog, kind to kittens and children but has never got over it.
Perhaps you will find a clue to your dog's issues when you've had him longer then you'll feel more in control. Good luck

Wolfiefan · 03/04/2022 19:32

Too late. The dog is already neutered. You’ve got bad advice there if the dog is fear reactive.
Your dog growls at others when it is on a lead? So don’t let it near other dogs. It’s telling you it isn’t happy with the situation.
A behaviourist or positive reward based trainer could help but you would need to chose carefully.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 03/04/2022 20:40

@JMPB

I disagree with the above. Neutering may help, it helped with my reactive terrier. We would have had him some regardless though xx
Dogs shouldn't be neutered if they show signs of fear-based aggression as the testosterone helps with their confidence.

Once the testosterone is removed, they often become even more fearful and the reactivity is made worse.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 03/04/2022 20:42

@Wolfiefan

Too late. The dog is already neutered. You’ve got bad advice there if the dog is fear reactive. Your dog growls at others when it is on a lead? So don’t let it near other dogs. It’s telling you it isn’t happy with the situation. A behaviourist or positive reward based trainer could help but you would need to chose carefully.
I missed that.

I really wish more people were aware of the negative impact of neutering - it really surprises me that vets still recommend it for reactive dogs.

Sorry OP - unfortunately your vet gave you some dud advice.

Friedaseyebrow · 03/04/2022 20:50

I also have a reactive rescue (ex stray so no history known) we have one of those basket muzzles, she can still have a great, drink water etc when wearing it. It's made me calmer which, in turn, has made her calmer .

lljkk · 03/04/2022 20:54

One of the dogs I walk can be like this. I just keep her distant from other dogs -- unless other dog(s) are offlead. So Then sometimes there are challenges... I'd want to muzzle if she were mine because she tries to eat every bit of horrible rubbish, but she's not mine, so...

She lives with a little dog, FFS, fine with him, and I've seen her be ignored by a workman's visiting dog that she groused at but didn't actually go for. Out & about she just snaps growls etc. PITA so on the tight lead she goes, & it's always me between her & any other dog we meet. I can distract her with biscuits if I had to, too.

PatientlyWaiting21 · 03/04/2022 22:20

Honestly dog owners like you drive me nuts! If you know your dog is reactive keep it away from other dogs. The worst thing you can do with a reactive dog is let it approach other dogs whilst on a lead, it makes them even more anxious because they can’t get away. Christ on a bike!!