Need help... K bullies my neighbor! (sorry for the long post).

[ej]

I am really perplexed and baffled by K's behavior towards this particular neighbor. K behaves like a gangster whenever he sees the neighbor.

This happened for the 4th time this morning. We live in an apartment building within a gated compound. From our lift lobby, we need to take a narrow path along the poolside to get out of the compound. This morning when we were back from our walk and heading towards the lobby (I held Z's leash and DH held K's leash), this neighbor was just leaving the lift lobby and walking towards our direction. He is often seen with newspapers in his hand. When he saw us, he stood still and immediately used the papers to shield himself from K. We could see from his expression that he is indeed very afraid of K. By the way, he owes a quarrelsome JRT who is extremely hostile toward all dogs and humans. I guess his fearful demeanor was the result of the previous 3 ocassions. We were 5 feet away or so when K lunged straight at him in a unfriendly manner (not his usual happy greeting kind of approach). Upon seeing this I reached out to hold him back with my other free hand. All this while, DH was trying to assure us that "it is okay". We stood there briefly for barely 10 secs to exchange pleasantries as i introduced myself and DH. As we turned to go our separate ways, K again jumped and lunged and barked fiercely at him in his face. My neighbor quickly walked away. All this while DH was holding onto K's leash tightly, and K sat on tight leash, with all eyes on the neighbor ready to pounce. The previous 3 ocassions were similar, but the first two times we were taken offguard cos he had never did that to anyone before. So we just shrugged it off and walked off thinking that it is some strange and once off thing. Third time when it happened, we requested that the neighbor linger and have a chat with us, so that K could get the idea that we are friends. We talked for almost 30 mins while K eventually laid down and relaxed. We parted and did not see him again until this morning.

Could anyone shed some light? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. We don't know if it is possible to avoid the neighbor when we live in the same apartment building.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I know that dogs can sense when people are uncomfortable around them and it can change their behavior. Perhaps he can also smell the unfriendly dog on your neighbor's clothes and it causes him to react unfavorably. Perhaps, if your neighbor is willing, you could set up some positive association sessions. Such as having him give K a tasty treat and speaking calmly to him, even if he has to throw it over to him for the first few times. If he wouldn't be comfortable with that, I think talking to him calmly while making him sit next to you is a good way to let him know there is nothing to fear...

[ej]

Hi Camilla and Darvin, thanks for the prompt reply.

On the 3rd ocassion when it happened, we did bring K and Z back to the neighbor and stood by the poolside for 30 mins or so to chat. K eventually relaxed and laid down while we talked, and we also met his wife on that ocassion. I am very appreciative that my neighbor agreed to do that with us despite his fear towards K. He isn't a tall chap. When K jumped up in his face, K is almost as tall as him. I can imagine that it is a scary thing to have a big fierce animal right in your face. I don't know if I will be asking too much to suggest another set-up meeting with him again to try out the treat method after this morning incident.

[Debbie Penny]

I have always trusted my dogs instincts..... and they are usually correct. Makes me wonder why K reacts the way he does, especially if it's with only this one neighbor. I agree with the keeping treats with you, as you will no doubt run into this neighbor again. I have run into this with Charlie, and I put him into a sit or down position, and have him stay until the person passes, or we chat and Charlie realizes that it's all okay and as you experienced, will ignore the person. I treat Charlie after the fact. These doods.. they sure keep us learning new tricks figuring out what to do : )

[ej]

Hey all, thanks for the suggestions. I will be sure to bring some extra tasty treats next time.

Just one thought, the passage/pathway is really narrow, there isn't much room left if we were to sit/down stay K when we cross path with this neighbor again. Do you think it is risky to ask the neighbor to walk past K when they are in such close proximity?

[Camilla and Darwin]

Probably not if she has lunged in the past. Unless you can be sure you have complete control of her.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

It sounds like K is definitely sensing something with this neighbor, probably his fear. The treats sound like a great idea, especially if you can get the neighbor to give them (even if he has to toss them at first). I think the real answer may be for you to get your neighbor more comfortable with K over time. Once he is no longer projecting fear, I think that will help K to settle down. That will be tough if K is lunging at him, so keeping him on a short lead is important for now.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I have always heard that dogs can sense fear/anticipation from their OWNERS. I now know this must be true because Taquito started this thing where he would not cross bridges on our walks (there are a lot because we live near a large creek and greenway area). This was getting really annoying - I would have to pick him up. I realized I was hesitating before the bridges and anticipating his fear - I started to pick him up before we even crossed. I made a point to settle down (myself) and try to forget about the fact that Taquito might not cross the bridges. If I am totally relaxed and do not remember the fear, Taquito will cross the bridge.

I know this is a little crazy sounding and MUCH easier said than done, but that's my two cents!

[Debbie and Thomas]

Julie, our last dog did this only for certain people. I wonder if the man was wearing a lot of black or even a black baseball cap or something. I have been told that dogs do not like to see a person wearing all dark clothes. I guess it looks like a giant black blob to them and they react with fear aggression and he is probably thinking he has to protect you. Just a thought.

[ej]

I agree that my own anxiety fuel his reaction towards the neighbor. But it is hard to control that anxiety when I see fear written all over his face when he saw us.

How do I get him to toss treats to K? It will have to be a set up, that means we have to approach him and make special request again. After the 4th incident, I am quite sure he prefers to avoid then to have to deal with us. We are thinking of giving K treats whenever we see the neighbor from a distance. The moment K takes notice of him, we will get his attention (by calling his name), and treat him. I think it is safer to desensitize him towards the neighbor from a distance without getting the neigbor involved. What do you think?

[ej]

Hi Debbie, I don't think it is the shirt he wears, cos he is often seen in white t-shirts and a pair of khaki shorts.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think that's definitely worth a try, especially if you think your neighbor isn't going to be willing to work with you. The key will be getting him to make that association from a distance. He needs to actually relate seeing the neighbor to being rewarded, and that may be difficult. You may have to actually point out the neighbor, say the word neighbor, and when he looks at him and behaves appropriately then treat.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I think that is a good idea. Then, perhaps when he has been a little bit desensitized and no longer reacts as much, your neighbor will be more comfortable and then he can throw treats over to him.