Do I Molly-Coddle my labs?

dylansdad · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 12:58 am Post subject:

maybe he had reason to react in the past which has obviously made you worry, although now it sounds from yourself and others that he was fine at the GT, however you are still nervous and worried.... it may be this he is picking up on when other dogs approach, and perhaps he interperets this that you feel threatened and therefor he should?????????? Just a thought Confused

Guess the answer might be to just relax, behave like nothing to worry about next time you meet another dog with him and see how things go Wink

lablover · Account Deactivated

Don't worry Shelley, you're quite right to want to avoid situations that cause him to go backwards. I've been in situations where I've been trying to rehabilitate a dog and someones 'friendly' one comes bouncing over - so I understand.
It's difficult to offer advice with so little to go on, but if you want to pm me more details I'll try to give you some pointers.
One more thought though. Dogs are social creatures within their pack. They will not automatically be best buddies with strange dogs. In fact, if you see two strange dogs, they will approach each other slowly, they will circle round each other, getting closer while reading each others body language, and as they get close a bit of mutual rear sniffing. This is normal dog behaviour.
Because we see so many well socialised, bold dogs running up to strange dogs and happily playing we assume that these are dogs of good temperament. Not always so! nor is it normal doggy behaviour. Socialisation plays a key role in training our dogs to readily accept strange dogs, and bad experiences or a lack of good socialisation can mean that they will not accept strange dogs so well.
Because canine body language can be quite subtle and often missed, dogs can often appear 'friendly' whereas they are actually quite rude.
To put things in perspective have a read of thisJust say Hi

Amandajvv · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 10:05 am Post subject:

Shelley,

I can only tell you from my experience.

George and Charlie are very very attached to each other. And highly protective of each other. George used to immediately want to have a go at other dogs we came across in the park. My back always used to be up and be very cautious of this. We would avoid other dogs as a result.
We always considered Charlie the playful one who never showed any untoward another dog.

They spent a lot of time at a dog sitter where they socialised with other dogs. Then apparently George got a bit full of himself at the dog sitters oneday (She seemed to think he had been there too long and considered it his own – territorial) He attacked a very shy dog one day then the next day went for a bitch. We decided to get them neutered and this certainly did ease the problem but not cure.

HOWEVER, we’ve noticed two things…when my husband walks the dogs his attitude changes and he is not very relaxed when George walks up to other dogs. He tries to avoid them. I think dogs can sense this and think you’re frightened hence they should be frightened and George might have ‘words’ with the other dog.

When I walk George and Charlie, mostly off the lead, I am very relaxed. I’ve notice even with very aggressive dogs (that are actually trying to go for my dogs) George actually ignores (doesnt submiss but ignores) them if I ignore the situation and keep walking. So I do think it has a lot to do with the way we handle them and how we behave around them.

Two: George tends to be the slightly more protective & the dominant one of my two. Charlie is a social dog who will say hello to everyone and everything and often appears to have no etiquette and will rush up to other dogs in a very dominant manner. The other dog can sometimes get a fright (I would if I saw my two galloping towards it). George then tends to look at this as a situation where Charlie needs protection. Or at the least the other dog needs a warning. And often ‘words’ will be exchanged. (Sorry someone at the GT noticed this when my husband was walking George). George sometimes appears aggressive out of fear as well. Two of my cousins ( 5 & 8yrs) love to play with the dogs. Charlie will let both of them do anything to him. George really is fearful of the younger one and will bark and run behind me to get away from her. Their body language is different to ours and I try to show my husband that he is not getting agressive to her but rather he is fearful of her and her alone.

As Mary explained CJ seemed quite playful towards George who didn’t appreciate this and constantly was telling CJ off. I ignored this and took all three for a walk who then actually didn’t care either way about each other and the situation was dissolved. Sometimes young ones especially just need to be put in their place. A snap and a growl is not always aggressive. If they wanted to attack they would.

I think we need to realise when growls and snarls are just to establish pack order and when they are merely the equivalent of us exchanging words and when they are from fear. That probably having a more relaxed attitude helps (as in the diff between my husband and I) and that with everything we learn as we go along.

We all worry about our labs and are very protective and the last thing we want is for them to get hurt, so don’t worry, you’re not alone!

_Mary_ · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 2:14 pm Post subject:

mommy · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 4:28 pm Post subject:

Mary,

I am sorry, but unfortunatly you read my post wrong.

Labshack · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 4:29 pm Post subject:

Many thanks for all your responces, they all make a lot of sense. I'll give you another example. Walking them both we turned a corner and coming towards us was a young boy with his 5/6 month old lab. I stood aside and held back Winston and Oscar who were both barking and straining at the leads. The boy then asks if his dog can say hello to mine at which point mine lunge forward. Pulling my shoulder quite badly, Oscar was stood to one side while Winston was on top of the very frightened young dog and growling and nipping but not biting. The dog was trying to get away behind the boys legs - What I don't get is why wouldn't Winston stop if he was just telling the youngster off?

Another time while walking back, a dog came out of a house - I didn't see it as I was being a responsible owner with a bag...I turned and Winston was being very friendly with this dog.

The second instance Winston was on his own, as I've stopped walking them together after the episode with the puppy