What is going on?

[Jodi Edsall]

Bailey is a 2 1/2 year old female F1B goldendoodle (I also have a 1 1/2 year old male goldendoodle). We got Bailey when she was 4 months old and from the very start she went everywhere with us. I knew socializing her was important so she went to soccer games, visiting family, picinic, car rides and daily walks at the park. Sometimes she would greet other dogs on our walks but most of the time she could care less.

For the last month, as we pass another dog on our nightly walks she is trying to attach other dogs! I have tried placing her in a sit command but she still tries to attach. I have tried carrying treats so when another dog approaches she will be more interested in me and the treats.

Last night, I just took Murphy for a walk and not Bailey because I was afraid I couldn't handle both of them without my husband. In the past, I have ALWAYS walked both dogs with no problem but now I am afraid. She looked so sad at me when I got home with Murphy, I almost cried. I will not leave her home again, it's just not fair but I must feel confident on our walks that she will not attach other dogs. Any suggestions?

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Since your not getting your dogs attention with siting or treats, I would work with her a few days on this alone without Murphy, try allowing Bailey to get distracted. As soon as Bailey is not watching you and wants to go for the other dog or the distraction, run in the opposite direction. The first 4 to 5 fast strides are the most important. Bailey will get the sudden jolt, this way...not your way! This should give Bailey the proper correction that will convince her she better watch you from now on. Keep finding different things to distract Bailey and giving this type of correction, once she is responding to this and Bailey is giving her attention to you again...give her lots of praise and treats if you want....

[Jodi Edsall]

Thanks for your advise. It just brakes my heart, that Bailey is acting like this because she really is a big love. I didn't go to the Doodle Romp in Bethlehem, PA last month because I was afraid that she would behave badly. I felt sad for Murphy because I think he would have really enjoyed the romp. Bailey has been socialized more than any dog I know. It just goes to show that as responsible pet owner, you can do everything right but problems can still appear at anytime.

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Jodi anytime you want to get together and work with our dogs...let me know...Never stay away from our Romps...we can work this out together...your not that far from me....Hannah and I both mess up from time to time...so don't feel bad...

[Adina P]

I'm so sorry Jodi. It is disheartening when an otherwise loving and sweet dog shows a less loving/sweet side. But that doesn't make Bailey a bad dog. There are a number of dogs who display ONLY on leash aggression. It's NOT hopeless but may take some serious, focused effort to train Bailey to top notch solid obedience. Again if she's obedient to "heel" she can NOT lunge at another dog...heel and lunge are incompatible. Now this doesn't mean that just telling her to heel will fix this. It does mean that a serious, focused effort at training heel to a reliable level CAN make a HUGE difference. This means you may need the help of a good trainer who can guide you and help you in your technique...because sometimes we need someone to SEE us in action to help us improve. It's virtually ALWAYS best to work toward SOLID obedience FIRST and then the 'problems' usually correct themselves because the dog is focused on a task. AND the dog learns that while it is focused on the obedience task everything goes smoothly and it does not need to be on alert or on edge.

One thing that I think you need to remember is that Murphy does NOT feel bad or jealous that she didn't go. Don't put emotions into her that she may not feel. When you do that you are projecting your human thoughts onto her. She will be FINE staying home while you work Bailey. In fact I don't know how anyone could truly train ONE dog in a focused manner if they have to manage another one...at least not initially. Bailey needs the time to really be worked one-to-one around various distractions. Again, I highly recommend working with a trainer to help you really get your technique solid. If your technique/method is GOOD...Bailey will both understand what you want from her AND be able to improve day by day, week by week until she no longer is worried about whatever dog is around...she's focused on heeling, or sitting or whatever. After a while of that she learns other dogs are not a threat when she's on leash.

[Jodi Edsall]

Thank you, Adina for your advise. I will work one on one with Bailey. She is extremely intelligent and loves to please us so I will just have to try a different technique than I am doing right now. She might even act different if it is just her alone maybe she feels that she had to protect Murphy????

I will have to leave Murphy home with someone in the family that will play with him to distract him from Bailey not being home. Murphy gets extremely anxious if Bailey is not here. He will go inside and outside, he goes from window to window and cries and cries. It really is quite sad to watch. He is so attached to her. Bailey is the boss and Murphy seems to rely on Bailey.

[Lorraine Bromley]

I have a lab shep cross that is almost 16. She was not trained for town living and enjoyed life on the farm Then we moved into town. She did not like other dogs. So on our walks she wanted to see everyone we met except the other dogs. She would start to growl and stare when she saw them from afar. I would have to stop and talk her through the exchange which usually worked. WE were going on a holiday and a freind was going to look after her and I told her not to let the kids walk her because I was afraid something might happen. When we got homeand reunited she said I don't know what your talking about Jazzy had no problems with any other dogs on the street or with them away visiting people with other dogs. The kids could walk her and she wouldn't even notice another dog.
It turns out she is only protecting me. If interact with the other dog, say my husband holds her and I go pet the other dog she accepts that interaction.

[fergie11]

WOW - that's a cool story. I guess you will always be safe as long as she's around.

[Jodi Edsall]

I never thought of that. Bailey is very protective of our family and Murphy (our other doodle). When we go on walking trails and the dogs are off leash, Bailey normally just walks along side of me and my husband on the trails. On one of our walks, I was way behind my husband to see what she would do and she waited for me then finally walked back to be by my side. She is definately loyal to the pack.