Lady Flying Furball

Thanks Kavik!! This has been my sense too and I have been generally avoiding the aggressive provoking situations... Because at dog club he is calm I do feel okay. The people there are good at respecting distance if I ask... I will look for the book too, but feel at this stage I need a behaviouralist who knows what they are doing...just don't want to give up dog club

Well the first training session we covered basics of obedience training. I mentioned what I had noticed walking him and she said to try and block his sight...not to let him see other dogs, but we had run out of time and it was my first week having him, so I just thought he might settle down. I persisted with the basic training. He is very attentive and good with all commands...a wonderfull "stayer". The trainer at the club says "What a stable dog" and I think, "My god, he is, what's going on?" I do block his sight walking but I think that's not a solution. I walk him on a basic leash to the collar which they advised at the dog club.

Hi, I was after some general advice as I'm feeling upset about my dog when I walk him on the leash, toward other dogs. He just growls and barks whenever he spots another dog at any distance. I thought it was getting better, but now I actually wonder. I got him as an entire adult dog 6 months ago, 3.5 years old, papillon, and had him desexed first week...thought that might be the answer I picked him up from a breeder whom I trust. Apparently he's always been the top one, even with bigger dogs and he would bark at dogs, but not problematically, and play with them. I picked him up from a dog show and he wasn't behaving like this at all! Since I have had him, from the word go he has behaved like this. I had the feeling that suddenly being alone, he may feel more vulnerable...also an element of protecting me too I sense. I have worked so hard, tried lots of things over periods of time to give them a chance. Had a trainer in the first week, read lots of internet sites, watched dvds, read books, went back to my breeder, finally went to the dog club and he really has improved there and loves the training. Even though now he seems relaxed at the dog club, he still will always initially lunge aggressively at most dogs. This general dog club quietness, surrounded by hundreds of dogs, doesn't seem to be translating to the streets! If let close to a dog he will lunge aggressively all the time but if left around a dog he will quieten down and relax with time (say an hour on average). He is great friends with a friend's dog and we just had to watch them at the initial meeting, and after that they were fine. I have attempted to be the leader and think that I am consistent with the basic obedience. They got me to try a water spray and I thought that that was really working, but now think that I may be suppressing his fear rather than solving the issue. Should I simply persist, esp. with dog club and continued basic everyday obedience...am I being unrealistic about the time frame for changing this behaviour? Should I take into consideration his being such a small one...that most other dogs are bigger and threatening? Is it unrealistic to expect dogs to be socially okay with all types of strange dogs in the meetings that occur walking on the street? (I live in Bondi where most other dogs seem so cool, off-leash, seemingly well adjusted) I really want to address this but find alot of info conflicting and don't want to chop and change... I rang up one behaviouralist who was charging over $500... I like the dog club and my dog likes it too, so don't want to have to give it up... He has got more responsive to my "Quiet" correction, but still seems pretty agro! People make some awful comments to me as if I am irresponsible...I am trying so hard and don't want my little one judged because in all other areas he is an absolute sweety! Any feedback would be appreciated...quietly desperate!! :cool: PS. I do exercise him diligently every day