Comments on: How to introduce dogs http://www.thatmutt.com/2009/05/07/how-to-introduce-dogs/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:26:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Lindsay Stordahl http://www.thatmutt.com/2009/05/07/how-to-introduce-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-33525 Lindsay Stordahl Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:47:57 +0000 http://www.thatmutt.com/?p=3767#comment-33525 The fact that your dogs eventually show submission to other dogs tells me that the barking they do initially is out of insecurity. Your dogs are not naturally dominant or aggressive, they just need to learn to meet other dogs. Unfortunately a lot of people allow their dogs to run up to other dogs head on. I would seek out people who seem to have calm dogs and ask if your dogs can meet them (probably not together, as you said). Keep up the work with the training classes, because its good for them to learn to be obedient around other dogs. Below are two posts I've written. One is about leash aggression, and one is about socializing dogs. You may find a few tips that will help you. http://www.thatmutt.com/2010/05/18/dog-leash-aggression/ http://www.thatmutt.com/2009/06/15/socializing-my-dog/ The fact that your dogs eventually show submission to other dogs tells me that the barking they do initially is out of insecurity. Your dogs are not naturally dominant or aggressive, they just need to learn to meet other dogs. Unfortunately a lot of people allow their dogs to run up to other dogs head on. I would seek out people who seem to have calm dogs and ask if your dogs can meet them (probably not together, as you said). Keep up the work with the training classes, because its good for them to learn to be obedient around other dogs. Below are two posts I’ve written. One is about leash aggression, and one is about socializing dogs. You may find a few tips that will help you.

http://www.thatmutt.com/2010/05/18/dog-leash-aggression/
http://www.thatmutt.com/2009/06/15/socializing-my-dog/

]]> By: Heather http://www.thatmutt.com/2009/05/07/how-to-introduce-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-33239 Heather Sat, 10 Jul 2010 07:23:07 +0000 http://www.thatmutt.com/?p=3767#comment-33239 Hi there, Love hearing all these stories. Here's mine. I have 2 7 month puppies. They are brother and sister, and I live in Saudi Arabia. I brought them from Canada, and unfortunately, although I had done lots of reading before, obviously not enough. They were with their litter mates until 12 weeks old, and so probably fairly socialized, but once we got them, over a period of 2 weeks, they were only together, and fairly coddled by my two children. When we arrived back in Saudi, I was busy trying to house train etc. and now when we go for walks, (all dogs are leashed here)they really flip out when they see or hear another dog. They will bark at people, but not for long, or be aggressive. I have taken them to training classes, but even there, it takes almost 45 minutes to calm them down to try any training techniques. I diligently walk them every morning for at least 30 minutes, but what I find is again, other owners who do not understand that meeting head on is not ok. Even when walked, they will still completely go beserk over another sighting of a dog. Yesterday both of them separately met another dog in the neighborhood. This other dog was SO gentle in its approach to each of my dogs I was amazed. My male, after barking up a storm, eventually turned his back on the other dog. My female also barked a lot, and tried to lunge, but eventually lay on her back and did the total submissive mode. I know this is not necessarily a good thing, but I kind of feel like I would rather they did that than be aggressive. The problem was that the owner was totally dominated by her dog. And really didnt seem to even get that she should hold it back at all. It was like she couldnt hold onto the leash. Anyway, it all turned out ok, and I would like for them all to meet again, but certainly not with both of my pups at the same time! ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE APPRECIATED! Hard to socialize them without wondering if the dogs I know about through friends are actually stable and able to handle mine. Hi there,
Love hearing all these stories. Here’s mine. I have 2 7 month puppies. They are brother and sister, and I live in Saudi Arabia. I brought them from Canada, and unfortunately, although I had done lots of reading before, obviously not enough. They were with their litter mates until 12 weeks old, and so probably fairly socialized, but once we got them, over a period of 2 weeks, they were only together, and fairly coddled by my two children. When we arrived back in Saudi, I was busy trying to house train etc. and now when we go for walks, (all dogs are leashed here)they really flip out when they see or hear another dog. They will bark at people, but not for long, or be aggressive. I have taken them to training classes, but even there, it takes almost 45 minutes to calm them down to try any training techniques. I diligently walk them every morning for at least 30 minutes, but what I find is again, other owners who do not understand that meeting head on is not ok. Even when walked, they will still completely go beserk over another sighting of a dog. Yesterday both of them separately met another dog in the neighborhood. This other dog was SO gentle in its approach to each of my dogs I was amazed. My male, after barking up a storm, eventually turned his back on the other dog. My female also barked a lot, and tried to lunge, but eventually lay on her back and did the total submissive mode. I know this is not necessarily a good thing, but I kind of feel like I would rather they did that than be aggressive. The problem was that the owner was totally dominated by her dog. And really didnt seem to even get that she should hold it back at all. It was like she couldnt hold onto the leash. Anyway, it all turned out ok, and I would like for them all to meet again, but certainly not with both of my pups at the same time! ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE APPRECIATED! Hard to socialize them without wondering if the dogs I know about through friends are actually stable and able to handle mine.

]]> By: Lindsay Stordahl http://www.thatmutt.com/2009/05/07/how-to-introduce-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-18220 Lindsay Stordahl Sat, 05 Dec 2009 03:56:14 +0000 http://www.thatmutt.com/?p=3767#comment-18220 Dogs will often gang up on weaker dogs. If this little dog is at all insecure or very submissive, then it would not surprise me that this other dog began acting aggressive towards the small dog, even if it started out as rough playing. Your dog simply joined in. It's easy for playing to escalate to aggression, especially with a group of dogs that do not have good social skills. If the little dog was the one acting aggressive first, the other dogs were matcing that energy. The best thing you can do to improve your dog's social skills is to let her interact with as many dogs as possible. But, make sure it is in a safe, supervised manner. It sounds like your neighborhood is a bit of a free for all, and I would be very careful about letting your dog play so freely. Since she is part pitbull, people will already be judging her. Try arranging smaller groups of dogs to play with your dog or have her meet, walk with or play with one dog at a time. Dogs will often gang up on weaker dogs. If this little dog is at all insecure or very submissive, then it would not surprise me that this other dog began acting aggressive towards the small dog, even if it started out as rough playing. Your dog simply joined in. It’s easy for playing to escalate to aggression, especially with a group of dogs that do not have good social skills.

If the little dog was the one acting aggressive first, the other dogs were matcing that energy.

The best thing you can do to improve your dog’s social skills is to let her interact with as many dogs as possible. But, make sure it is in a safe, supervised manner. It sounds like your neighborhood is a bit of a free for all, and I would be very careful about letting your dog play so freely. Since she is part pitbull, people will already be judging her. Try arranging smaller groups of dogs to play with your dog or have her meet, walk with or play with one dog at a time.

]]> By: neisha http://www.thatmutt.com/2009/05/07/how-to-introduce-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-18210 neisha Fri, 04 Dec 2009 23:08:22 +0000 http://www.thatmutt.com/?p=3767#comment-18210 i have been incare of my pit mix marley...she is really a charming girl but she has not had much socialization with other dogd...we live in a neighor hood that dogs are not leashed...marly was happily playing the other dogs in neighborhood..she seemed so happy...there was another dog in the pack that started aggresion with a small femaLE dog and marley startedto join in...i was devested..spelling not right...she was fine until the other dog started to pick on the smaller dog...is this a clue to me to just keep my marly on leash as all dogs are supposed to be...theis other agressive dog alwAYS PICKS ON THIS LITLE DOG...WHEY DID MARLEY FOLLOW HIS LEAD..UP UNTIL THAT TIME MARLEY WAS PLAYING WITH THE LITTLE DOG...... i have been incare of my pit mix marley…she is really a charming girl but she has not had much socialization with other dogd…we live in a neighor hood that dogs are not leashed…marly was happily playing the other dogs in neighborhood..she seemed so happy…there was another dog in the pack that started aggresion with a small femaLE dog and marley startedto join in…i was devested..spelling not right…she was fine until the other dog started to pick on the smaller dog…is this a clue to me to just keep my marly on leash as all dogs are supposed to be…theis other agressive dog alwAYS PICKS ON THIS LITLE DOG…WHEY DID MARLEY FOLLOW HIS LEAD..UP UNTIL THAT TIME MARLEY WAS PLAYING WITH THE LITTLE DOG……

]]> By: Lindsay Stordahl http://www.thatmutt.com/2009/05/07/how-to-introduce-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-15297 Lindsay Stordahl Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:11:18 +0000 http://www.thatmutt.com/?p=3767#comment-15297 Yeah people can be so clueless. Just because their dog is friendly does not mean it should be running up to random dogs. Even a normally friendly dog can get defensive when a hyper lab comes bounding up out of nowhere. Most people can't control their dogs from two feet away, let alone 50 yards. Yeah people can be so clueless. Just because their dog is friendly does not mean it should be running up to random dogs. Even a normally friendly dog can get defensive when a hyper lab comes bounding up out of nowhere. Most people can’t control their dogs from two feet away, let alone 50 yards.

]]> By: Jen Schuster http://www.thatmutt.com/2009/05/07/how-to-introduce-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-15274 Jen Schuster Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:01:51 +0000 http://www.thatmutt.com/?p=3767#comment-15274 I agree with the comment that people do not know how to intro dogs. I always here from people, "Oh he's/she's friendly." It really upsets me that dispite years of training and positive reinforcement, my border collie does not like dogs running up to her. Their dog may not be agressive, but mine is. She also has a right to be walked. So those who may think they can control thier dog off leash, they cannot from 50 yards, I promise. I agree with the comment that people do not know how to intro dogs. I always here from people, “Oh he’s/she’s friendly.” It really upsets me that dispite years of training and positive reinforcement, my border collie does not like dogs running up to her. Their dog may not be agressive, but mine is. She also has a right to be walked. So those who may think they can control thier dog off leash, they cannot from 50 yards, I promise.

]]> By: Lindsay Stordahl http://www.thatmutt.com/2009/05/07/how-to-introduce-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-11138 Lindsay Stordahl Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:56:50 +0000 http://www.thatmutt.com/?p=3767#comment-11138 I'm glad it went well yesterday! The more dogs you meet successfully, the better it will go. I’m glad it went well yesterday! The more dogs you meet successfully, the better it will go.

]]> By: LeslieN http://www.thatmutt.com/2009/05/07/how-to-introduce-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-11119 LeslieN Sat, 06 Jun 2009 00:20:36 +0000 http://www.thatmutt.com/?p=3767#comment-11119 Thank you! Today I tried the way you said and it went by great. But we did not meet any dogs that was insecure, but I will keep introducing her to other dogs because she acts better at home when she meet at least one other dog. Thank you! Today I tried the way you said and it went by great. But we did not meet any dogs that was insecure, but I will keep introducing her to other dogs because she acts better at home when she meet at least one other dog.

]]> By: Lindsay Stordahl http://www.thatmutt.com/2009/05/07/how-to-introduce-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-11110 Lindsay Stordahl Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:40:53 +0000 http://www.thatmutt.com/?p=3767#comment-11110 Dogs will often act out negatively around insecure dogs because an insecure dog gives them more power. That lab was clearly insecure and hiding behind its owner. Your dog was also likely responding to your tension in the leash, which was telling her she had a reason to be tense and "on guard." She was the one in control at that moment, not you. You should try to encourage your dog not to approach other dogs head on, but from the side, and make sure you are relaxed and in control. I would keep introducing her to more dogs to reinforce the proper way to approach them. It sounds like she's usually OK, so hopefully this was a one time incident. Dogs will often act out negatively around insecure dogs because an insecure dog gives them more power. That lab was clearly insecure and hiding behind its owner. Your dog was also likely responding to your tension in the leash, which was telling her she had a reason to be tense and “on guard.” She was the one in control at that moment, not you. You should try to encourage your dog not to approach other dogs head on, but from the side, and make sure you are relaxed and in control. I would keep introducing her to more dogs to reinforce the proper way to approach them. It sounds like she’s usually OK, so hopefully this was a one time incident.

]]> By: LeslieN http://www.thatmutt.com/2009/05/07/how-to-introduce-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-11106 LeslieN Fri, 05 Jun 2009 05:08:56 +0000 http://www.thatmutt.com/?p=3767#comment-11106 I have this hound mix that will not meet any other dog but head on and then she has to smell their behind which I am okay with she’s fine and the other dogs are also. The other day when I was walking my dog she met this lab that did not want my dog to smell (lab) behind and the lab coward near the owner and so we moved on. Then we passed the lab again and I did not want the dogs to meet again so I had my dog leash tight to pass but the owner wanted the lab and my dog to meet again. My dog lunged and snapped at the lab. Was my dog trying to show dominance over the lab because she has not done that before? She did not bite but the lab coward even more to the point that she was behind her owner. Now I feel bad but I knew that she did not like the fact that the lab did not let my dog smell her behind. So was this my fault and should I not let her meet any more dogs? Or was this my dog’s behavior to the situation? What should I do the next time? I have this hound mix that will not meet any other dog but head on and then she has to smell their behind which I am okay with she’s fine and the other dogs are also. The other day when I was walking my dog she met this lab that did not want my dog to smell (lab) behind and the lab coward near the owner and so we moved on. Then we passed the lab again and I did not want the dogs to meet again so I had my dog leash tight to pass but the owner wanted the lab and my dog to meet again. My dog lunged and snapped at the lab. Was my dog trying to show dominance over the lab because she has not done that before? She did not bite but the lab coward even more to the point that she was behind her owner. Now I feel bad but I knew that she did not like the fact that the lab did not let my dog smell her behind. So was this my fault and should I not let her meet any more dogs? Or was this my dog’s behavior to the situation? What should I do the next time?

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