Growling at barking at a dog in training class.

[Jean, Rylee and Cooper]

Cooper has gone through a Manners class and is now in Better manners class. Next week is our last class.  Today a black German Shephard came up to him to sniff and say hello.  Cooper was ok initially but then growled and barked at him.  The trainer came over and showed me how to walk over to the other dog and Cooper's body language said I'm not interested so she turned him and said lets go.

 

I get very nervous about this.  Rylee and Cooper have had their clashes at home and usually it is Rylee not wanting Cooper near a bone.  

 

Also Cooper has been nipped a couple of times by other dogs.  One at a dog park and one  by my friends dog.  His dog is trained to round up animals and by mistake my friend used that command with his dog and he nipped Cooper to corral him. This dog is also black.  Not sure if that has anything to do with it. 

 

Has anyone else had problems with dog aggression with other dogs and what have you done?  I will work more with the trainer but how do I keep myself calm.  It is upsetting to me.

[Adina P]

What does your trainer say?

I don't have this problem so I can't speak from experience other than the experience of others I've read about who have had excellent success.  So from that, I believe that serious obedience training (not just manners but training your dog to respond reliably and consistently to all commands at all times) is the best route.  You might just need a different training method/program for your dog that takes obedience super seriously and teaches you how to train your dog to keep focused on you regardless of dogs nearby. If you are interested in a very focused program I can ask around for trainers in your area. 

[Jean, Rylee and Cooper]

Well, the trainer I go to does have a serious training.  And she is teaching us to get the dog to focus on us.  I will have to be more consistent with training.  I live in the Western part of Massachusetts and maybe there are other trainers.  I do like this woman so I was going to try another class with her.  Thanks for the help.

[Elaine]

I agree, it is very upsetting.  I remind myself all the time to stay calm.  I feel pretty confident that for the most part I am calm during the moment, it is usually after class that I get upset.  Certainly take small steps and be on the look out for small positives.  I think people who care for their animals this much, and try to help them will ultimately see progress.  It might not be in the time frame you'd like, as I have personally found but we are taking small steps.  Hang in there!

[Jean, Rylee and Cooper]

Thank you Elaine.  I need to not get so upset.  I did stay calm, however if my two start to fight I can yell sometimes which I should not do.  I try to watch for signals also and distract them when this happens.  Thanks for your words of encouragement.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I know exactly how you are feeling.  My Murphy was extremely dog reactive, and it has taken us year of extensive training to work him through this.  There are still some dogs who set him off, but I'm now comfortable that I know how to handle it and I can prevent escalation before it happens.  I was also very insecure at the beginning....so much so that I would only walk him in places where I knew we would not meet other dogs.  The key IMO is finding a trainer who has dealt with this before and has had success.  To be honest, at the beginning the training was all about giving me confidence so that my "nervousness" would not go right down the leash to Murphy.  I have a few questions....when he is reactive is he usually on or off a leash?  What does it "look like"...just barking and lunging or is he actually snarling and showing teeth?  When Rylee and Cooper "clash" at home, who is the instigator, and does it look like two dogs just trying to work something out or do you see actual signs of aggression?  Don't be discouraged.  It can be fixed with the right training program and we're all here to help you.

[Jean, Rylee and Cooper]

Thanks Jane.  Well at home Rylee is the instigator.  It is usually if there is a bone she wants so I don't bother with them anymore.  She is definitely the alpha.  The incident with Cooper and the German Shephard was snarling and a bark.  We go to the Cape a lot on the weekends and bring them to the beach or dog park.  They are off leash there and typically Rylee ignores most of the dogs because she is playing with her ball.  She will check out the dogs for a little bit.  Cooper likes to check out the dogs but then tends to come to us and chase Rylee or sniff around.  I get nervous now because of these incidents we have had.  My husband is good and will take them with me so we can keep an eye on it.  I also noticed the other day when Casey there doodle friend was here it was just Cooper and Casey.  Casey kept pestering Cooper going up to his face and I could sense Cooper did not like it so I called him away and he came to me.  I do watch more carefully and try to diffuse something if I see it. 

 

I am going to start a Canine Citizen Class in October with Cooper.  We will see how it goes. In the meantime I am trying to watch this and continue to keep them around other dogs on occasion. 

 

Thanks for the advice.  I appreciate it.