Snapping @ other dogs

[Tamara & Giada]

My Giada growled and snapped at another dog on our walk today :(  Good thing she was on a leash! I had to pull her away and the lady was not happy!  she has NEVER done this before.......does anyone have insight on this?  She is usually very jolly and good with people and other dogs.  With our extended family she is around 7 other dogs on a regular basis!

[Adina P]

Do you do therapy in a group with other dogs or just on your own? I think it's one of the areas they (and Delta) tests because a lot of therapy folks work in groups, or you might run into a handler/dog duo during a therapy visit and they just want to know that if you need to meet someone with another dog that the dogs will be okay and under control.

I worked this LOTS with Rosco. So although I don't typically let him meet strange dogs while on a walk, I did seek out strangers and their dogs (as well as friends and their dogs) when I was actively working him on this. I still didn't let Rosco 'greet' the other dog the way we humans think of greeting (getting close, face to face). My goal was to have him calm and under control at my side regardless of what the OTHER dog's behavior was. So if the other dog was hyper and pulling to get to Rosco, Rosco could maintain a sit stay. When we were actively training and practicing we got to the point where I could heel him (on leash) to the outskirts of a dog play area and a dog could rush to him and sniff him and he'd hold his stay. Now I wouldn't expect this of Rosco right now in an off-the-cuff moment, but I would with a little brushing up.

Anyway, what I mean to say to Tamara, is I think the goal of having your dog 'meet lots of other dogs' is to train them to be cool, calm, collected and comfortable in the presence of other dogs, but NOT that they have to 'shake hands and say hello to' every dog they pass. Sort of like you want your kids to be polite to strangers if they should meet, but not to run around and stop every person they pass to say "Hi, my name is ____"

[Tamara & Giada]

I agree..........

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

We work alone or at least that is all we have done so far. I agree with what you say as well and this is still a work in progress for us.

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

This is an interesting thread. We always have Dex and Kirby meet other dogs while on leash and we've never had a problem (we ask the owner first if it's ok). Maybe we've never had an incident because the owners of the dogs who would react badly tell us not to let them meet...

[Tamara & Giada]

I know.......us too! I always thought it is good for her to meet as many dogs as possible! But, now I know being on a leash maybe makes her feel more theatened...IDK :)

[Ginny Nightingale]

I have two TDI dogs (therapy dog international) and the meet and greet on the test is very short and not that close. When I was tested, the dogs stopped about 1 foot apart and did not sniff each other. It is also usually with another dog in your class, so you have met them before. My dog also had to lie still while a puppy circled her. The puppy actually did come up and touch noses with my dog which I thought would really excite her, but she stayed calm. Somehow they know that it is the wrong time for playing since they have been through the classes with you and have never been allowed to play at that class.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Dogs on leashes do not behave like dogs off leashes. I bet that lady's dog gets growled at a lot, probably "disses" the other dog in some way. Generally, no nose to nose when on leash is the best idea. It is counter intuitive for us. But dogs do not great nose to nose, they greet nose to tush. Dogs give signals to each other that humans do not notice or sometimes cannot notice ( Caesar Milan not withstanding). The general rule for dog walking etiquette is that the two dogs may "nod" to each other - that is wag their tail slightly, other than that they just keep on walking. If the owners stop to chat each dog should stay close to his own owner preferably in a sit or down.

To accomplish this put a really tasty treat right on top of your dog's nose ( It is helpful to have several in your left hand. Put one a time right on top of the nose). This distracts your dog's sense of smell which is usually the ruling sense as well as removing eye contact between two opposing dogs. Pop treats one at a time in you dog's mouth, placing each treat on top of nose so head tips up slightly to get treat. Gradually increase time between treats. Before long your dog will look up to you looking for a treat upon noticing another dog . This establishes the habit of looking away from the other dog so tha no "signals" or "dissing" can occur and also establishes that even though another dog is in sight range, you are more interesting.

Honestly, this really does work in probably less than two weeks if you practice daily.

This sounds rather tedious and lenghty when written, it goes more quickly than you would think. Especially with Giada since she has had only that one previous bad experiences.

During all this hold the leash in right hand and use treats, not leash to hold attention. If you tighten or pull on the leash that sets off a whole other set of instinctive responses.

[Linda]

So glad that I found this discussion today. I was getting ready to add my own question about my dog snapping at another one this morning. I've read all these very helpful comments..... wasn't really aware that dogs shouldn't meet nose-to-nose. Webster has also passed the TDI test and had no problem with that part of the test.
When we're walking, he has on several occasions snapped or growled at another dog. I feel very frustrated that I cannot detect when it's going to happen. He will be licking & kissing the other dog and then all of a sudden start growling or jump up. I'm obviously not being as alert and observant as I should be. Am beginning to feel like I'm not capable of talking to someone AND watching my dog and the other dog at the same time. In case it matters, Webster will be 3 in August, and I will 63 in a few days.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Hi Linda me too. Roo is nearly 3 and I am nearly 64. It takes a lot of concentrated training to get to the point where you can talk, because you don't have to watch your dog carefully, because he will be quietly by your side. Even if you are very alert and observant, you don't speak dog. It is a difficult language to learn because it can be very subtle. Only a few professional dog handlers, trainers get really good at it. Trainers and handlers will even tell you "if I have a dog on a leash, don't talk to me," because they need all their senses for the dog.

[Linda]

Yesterday's snapping/growling occurred when we were on a group walk with other DOGood Chattanooga friends & dogs. These Saturday morning walks and some afternoon Yappy Hour events started a few months ago. The problem yesterday occurred when we stopped to let some of the older dogs rest. The humans were standing around chatting. I had no idea that Webster would react that way to a Wolfhound 'friend' when the last time we were together they were sharing a doggie yogurt.

All of the suggestions in this discussion are great for the times we are walking and meeting strange dogs. But do I need to keep Webster restrained & sitting by my side while the other dogs are 'visiting' until I can detect his and the other dogs' reactions to each other?

[Lesley, Wellington & Bingley]

If I see another dog is on a lead I won't let Welly go up to it - as I think the dog must be on the lead for a reason and may not be too friendly. If I get chatting to the owner and we then let them play then that's fine. Lots of dogs on leads get snappy, probably because they are restrained and a head on meeting is very confrontational.

I also get a treat out before we pass another dog and give it to Welly once we are passed - like a reward for good behaviour. Sometimes it's his ball / a game that he gets when the other dog has gone passed and he has ignored it.

It's also been really usefull for him to learn that he can't play with every dog he see's and I now keep him with me and tell him when he can go and see another dog.

[Adina P]

Most cities in the US have laws that require dogs to be on lead in public.