My dog went for another dog

[summersolstice43]

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?

I pay £140 per hour for my behaviourist and they’re worth twice that.
There is a difference between a trainer and a behaviourist - make sure you get the right person.

The muzzle acts as a highly visible warning for other owners to stay away from you. This would be very helpful.

@summersolstice43

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?

I wonder if it was just this dog he took a dislike to. Sometimes you do just get a personality clash for no good reason.

I've got a reactive terrier (main triggers aren't dogs, thankfully) and while he is lovely with most dogs, he has a pathological hatred of two very specific breeds, and one specific individual dog in the local park (who is lovely, and doesn't deserve it!). He also has a tendency to be a bit of a git on lead, so I avoid on lead greetings. 99% of the time when we're in the park he's off lead, but if we spot one of his least favourite breeds or individuals we give them a wide berth or he goes on a lead if they're too close for comfort.

Thankfully most of it involves him standing a metre or so from the other dog and barking (probably shouting "come and have a go if you think you're hard enough") at a dog four times bigger than he is (cos he's well 'ard). On the few occasions he's got into a scrap it's been all noise and no damage, which is like 99% of dog fights tbh. Handbags at dawn you might say.

If it is just one dog or dog breed he hates (and the jury should still be out on that one) then I wouldn't be condemning him to a life on lead and muzzled.

There is such a concept as a frustrated greeter - basically they're so keen to get to the other dog to say hello that they get frustrated when they can't because of the lead. The way they deal with the frustration is to start kicking off...

You'd do well to watch some YouTube videos on dog body language - starting with the canine ladder of aggression by Talk to the Paw.

£80 a session is very cheap for a qualified behaviourist. Unfortunately literally anyone can call themselves a behaviourist, so it's important to go for an APBC, CCAB or ABTC qualified one. It's also worth knowing that there's a big difference between a trainer and a behaviourist, and this is a behaviourist issue. You will need to get a vet referral for the behaviourist - and it's a big red flag if they don't ask for one.

What breed of dog was the other one?
we have a dog who is fine with all dogs accept grey hounds. No idea why, she was rescued at 9 months ( is 11 now) so maybe something happened to do with that breed of dog before we got her.
I wouldn't muzzle her. There's lots of dogs where I walk that are on leads, if a dog is on a lead I put mine on until we get past or owner says they can have a sniff at each other, just warn the other owner they can sometimes be a little reactive then it's up to the other owner whether they let their dog say hi. take lots of treats and reward any positive reaction to the other dog.

@fairylightsandwaxmelts - he wasnt neutered when I got him but I have since had him neutered as he's 2 years old and needed it doing due to other physical issues he's had. Thats has calmed him down in the house and he is not barking and going crazy with every sound, although that could just be him getting used to the house.

My dog stays with other family dogs and is absolutely fine with them. He's not growling and hiding from other dogs or showing aggression to them. He pulls towards them wagging his tail and whining then when I got to pull him away he's growling but when the dog goes near him or if its off a lead and comes over to him hes absolutely fine, plays with them. Its as if he's making a noise at me as I wont let him near them.

The dog yesterday as a huge thing but it was just sat minding its own business, as we passed he pulled and got to it before I had chance to react. The other dog was very similar to one that my uncle has and that dog has attacked mine in the past so not sure if it was a trigger?

So I've booked a consultation with a behaviourist that has been recommended. I've ordered a soft mesh muzzle just in case we are out where there are a lot of dogs being walked or in a built up area and he is now wearing his calm collar all the time to see if that helps his anxiety.

That all sounds positive but please don't use a soft muzzle on walks - it needs to be a Baskerville (basket) muzzle so the dog can drink, take treats and pant.

@PatientlyWaiting21 and people like you drive me nuts, read the whole thing. He is ALWAYS on a lead, I never ever let him off as I know he'd not come back. I live in the country in a large dog owning area so keeping him away from dogs is impossible, unless you'd rather I just locked him in the house 24/7 and defeat the object of having a dog?

@user3837313202 I think your dog sound exactly like mine. He does like to interact with other dogs and wants to say hello but when I pull him back thats when the noise starts and he acts like a twat which is embarrassing. Theres 2 breeds he hates too, the one that looks like my uncles dog that attacked him and french bulldogs which are about the same size as him and are usually really placid until he starts then they bark back at him.

@bagelsandcheese it was a large mixed breed, ever so quiet and well behaved then my little nutter turned up and all hell broke loose. It did look like a dog that had attacked him in the past though.

@fairylightsandwaxmelts oh the muzzle isnt one of the strap around the snout ones, its a basket mesh one so its not rigid but still has full coverage so he can drink and pant. I dont like the strap ones, its so cruel in my eyes.

[quote summersolstice43]@fairylightsandwaxmelts oh the muzzle isnt one of the strap around the snout ones, its a basket mesh one so its not rigid but still has full coverage so he can drink and pant. I dont like the strap ones, its so cruel in my eyes.[/quote]
Ah phew, thanks for clarifying! :)

I agree, I hate those muzzles - only appropriate in veterinary settings and for very short-term use.

@PatientlyWaiting21

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!!

How is having a go at the op helpful?? She's doing her best and asking for advice, absolutely no need for your unpleasant tone.

Op your dog sounds exactly like my terrier, I think most of them (especially the boys) have an unfortunate dose of little man syndrome and like to start fights they can't finish!! My terrier also hates frenchies, large dogs, black dogs and unneutered males 🙄

I just give all other unknown dogs a wide berth and have trained him to look at me when we walk passed other dogs. He has a few doggy friends that he does like and we meet up for walks sometimes.

He only now kicks off when other owners allow their off lead dogs to run up to him, I just shout out 'he's not friendly' and try to block the other dog from getting too close.