Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 11:39 am Post subject: Bonnie's over excitement to see other dogs
Bonnie has been with us since August but, as you know, she came in to season so her socialisation was again held up due to this. Now she's out and about properly, she's started lunging and barking on the lead when she sees other dogs. It's definitely an excited 'let me play' type of bark but other dog owners take this completely the wrong way and think she's aggressive so stear well clear. I've got a good few dogs walking friends who are working with me on this as once she's greeted the dog, she's fine. She calms right down after saying hello.
I'm using distraction with treats - watch me's, sits etc with dogs she can't say hello to.
I guess this would be easier to crack with just Bonnie but time doesn't always allow me to walk PP and Bonnie separately.
How often should I be aiming to walk them apart to deal with this? If I walk them separately twice a week, will walking them together the rest of the time un-do any progress?
Jo, I think this is one that Lizi would be better with advise, however, some of what you say does sound a little how Bruno was when he came to us.
The difference that we had was not so much the bouncing or lunging and wanting to play with other dogs, more that he was rather scared of how to greet them when they came up to meet him. [he was six so alot older I think than Bonnie]
After he had settled with us and had more strength from quieter short walks, I did more in the car and off lead walks so when we met up with our dog walk friends he had the choice whether he joined in the play or not, he mostly stayed close to me for quite a few weeks/months and built up to the learning how to do it properly, mostly he was observing Mischa and joining in with the less bouncy dogs.
Am wondering if it would be better to leave the lead walking for a while and go by car to you walk places and have off lead till Bonnie has got the excitable behaviour sorted and out of her system. I found that when Mischa was a pup that was how she calmed down alot and learned her manners, and if you have the understanding people with you it would save the explaining all the time with the walkers you don't know.
I realise our problem was not the same as yours, but Bruno is alot less defensive now than he was, because the lead is not making him feel trapped.
I am not the best at putting things down, so hope you get the gist.
Jo - We have the same issue with Mae - she lunges at other dogs as they pass and does a quick bark and growl at them and then runs back to us. It seems to be a warning thing to protect Humble because if he's on a lead too and with us then she doesn't bother. I don't think she's being aggressive because the other dogs don't go for her or anything. We are at a loss as to what to do about it too!!! At the moment we are trying to distract her with sausages as dogs pass but I'm not sure if that's the right thing to do!! xx
Sorry I forgot her age, she does sound lovely, my thinking was based on the fact that she had probably missed out on the socialisation so much in her early years that rather than struggle with the excitement on lead was maybe getting this under control by giving her as much of the off lead freedom and play as in saturation for a while till the novelty wore off.
You can tell I am one for an easy life , it was just a suggestion, maybe it is worth contacting Lizi.
I do love that Bonnie is finding her confidence, but what a pain for it to have tipped over like this!
One of my foster boys, Oojit, used to do this and I could never really get a proper grip on it whilst he was with us but as he was a small, skinny saluki lad most people were happy for me to bring him up close enough to properly greet their dog and realise that he wasn't a problem, so he was showing a little improvement by the time he went to his new home. Unfortunately, he then taught his new brother - a larger, heavier hound boy - his new trick and his poor mum has had both of them doing it for the last 6 years despite several behaviourist visits and training classes, although she has always insisted upon walking them together.
Why don't you give Lizi a shout and see if she has any helpful suggestions?
____________ Sarah and Bran
Always watched over with love by our angel, Flora, from Rainbow Bridge
Bran Training
Rosie would do this when we first got her and she was a livin' nightmare to walk on the lead. Half the time my arm would be pulled out of the socket, several times she pulled me so badly I ended up on painkillers!!
In the end I got her out of it by doing a smart about turn and walking swiftly in the other direction. When she was calm on the lead I would walk back towards the other dog; the second she barked, or jumped about, or lunged, it was a very firm "NO!" and a smart about turn and walk quickly in the opposite direction.
When I really hit some succes with it was when I got a friend to come walking with me and we went up to the common field; they went the other side, we started walking to approach, and I did the exercise with Rosie. I didn't allow her to get close to the dog until she walked calmly on the lead.
I'm sure Lizi can give you some pointers but this did help with us. In fact, Rosie still has a habit of greeting like this if she's on the lead; but as soon as I do a "No!" and an about turn, on the second approach she behaves.
As with everything, it takes time, and repitition, repitition, and repitition.
____________ Jane - Rosie, Frank, Suki, Lily, Lewis
Marley does the same thing and he is strong! One day we were at the lake. I was holding Marley while Coco was swimming. Then a dog walks past. Marley went crazy barking and lunging. I was sitting on the ground and he actually dragged me over to the dog! It was so embarrassing.I cannot bring him for walks unless I use the Halti. He actually doesn't bark with it on. So John has to bring him for walks. Charlie is starting to do it too so I want to sort it before he becomes impossible to handle as well.
____________ Sarah and her Labs.. Charlie(04/09/11), Marley(11/04/10) and Coco(21/02/09).
Did you get in touch with Lizi, Jo? I imagine quite a lot of things are going to be difficult to implement as you have to walk both girls together, but I'm sure your determination will see you through
____________ Sarah and Bran
Always watched over with love by our angel, Flora, from Rainbow Bridge
Bran Training
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, it was just a suggestion, maybe it is worth contacting Lizi.
