KatyMc Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Hello We are new to forum, having done some reading on DOL I see our puppy questions are common ones! We have 2 5 month old pups, Kelpie x, Buster & Molly. It's been a long time since we've had puppies, last few dogs have been older, but we are quickly remembering! They are full of fun and energy which we expected because of the breed, they are always busy with something, this morning Molly was busy with a sleepy lizard, not for long though, it saw her off. Couple of issues really and we just wanted to check in with people that we are headed in the right direction with them. Molly appears quite aggressive toward other dogs, if she's on the lead she pulls, barks, growl and generally carries on until we are passed the other dog in question. No problem with people just other dogs. Buster isn't bothered really but can get excited if she does. Also poor Buster cops it from her as he's closest to her at the time! My OH went to puppy class the other day but had to leave as she went nuts, lots of noise etc. Silly of us to not do that when both of us were free to go I know. We will persevere with the classes as I figure she needs lots of socialisation. I only worry as I haven't encountered aggression that obvious in a pup this young before. She is the dominant one over Buster at home and they seem to figure that out between them. So our plan is continue with classes and keep up the walks where other dogs are to try and desensitise her to them! Does that sound about right? Was also going to get some advice from vet about her behaviour. She is otherwise fit and healthy. We love walking them and don't want that to become something we avoid doing. Any advice welcome, thankyou. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Good on you for wanting to get on top of the problem straight away. I would strongly suggest you consult a qualified trainer to do a one on one session with you for this kind of issue. Yes the dogs need to be socialised but poor socialisation and/ or bad experiences at this stage could seriously adversely affect her for her life time. What area are you in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Agree seek more specialized help. You also need to consider the other dogs when your pup is going feral.Whilst yours needs socializing it shouldnt at the expense of the other pups & basically all the socializing in the world wont help until you understand how to control the pups,its triggers & your reaction.Once taught this you will find things will happen far quicker & you will be able to control the pup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 I agree you should look into professional help now before it escalates. Zoe started to become aggressive towards other dogs at about that age, she had been fine before that. I wish I had gone to a professional to get help instead of trying to do it myself, as maybe then she would not still be aggressive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Another one here who would strongly suggest you get some professional help asap.All the meeting other dogs, and behaving as she does is just reinforcing her behaviour.. Targeted one-on -one help now will be a big help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paganman Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Was also going to get some advice from vet about her behaviour. Vets arent usually very knowledgable about dog behavior or training and he probably wont be able to tell you much specially as its aggression were talking about and that can turn into such a serious thing.You need a specialist a qualified behaviorist/dog trainer, if you tell us what area you live in you will get some reccomendations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatyMc Posted October 13, 2008 Author Share Posted October 13, 2008 Was also going to get some advice from vet about her behaviour. Vets arent usually very knowledgable about dog behavior or training and he probably wont be able to tell you much specially as its aggression were talking about and that can turn into such a serious thing.You need a specialist a qualified behaviorist/dog trainer, if you tell us what area you live in you will get some reccomendations. Cheers for that. We are regional SA, Whyalla. We had discussed her behaviour being assessed by professional. We want her to be more comfortable with herself and relaxed with other dogs, she otherwise has a lovely personality and is very bright and responsive to training. It is great reading various threads on here cos sometimes you think you're going mad, as you mop up more wee or wonder why selective deafness has suddenly afflicted your lovely puppy. Thankyou for all your replies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
royalla Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 do you know anyone that has a puppy freindly dog, i have a pup here that was the same as your girl but i got a freind to bring over a her dog and let him loose in the back yard and then i let the pup out we just stayed close to the older dog and every time my pup tried to bite him or have a go at him we just stepped inbetween with a arrrrrrr leave it! after about half an hour my pup settled down and was playing with the older dog and when he started to get a little rough the older dog grab him by the muzzle for a second to tell him no then they would stat playing again now this fixed my pup and i can now take him out without any problems but it may not work with your girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatyMc Posted October 13, 2008 Author Share Posted October 13, 2008 (edited) do you know anyone that has a puppy freindly dog, i have a pup here that was the same as your girl but i got a freind to bring over a her dog and let him loose in the back yard and then i let the pup out we just stayed close to the older dog and every time my pup tried to bite him or have a go at him we just stepped inbetween with a arrrrrrr leave it! after about half an hour my pup settled down and was playing with the older dog and when he started to get a little rough the older dog grab him by the muzzle for a second to tell him no then they would stat playing again now this fixed my pup and i can now take him out without any problems but it may not work with your girl. Cheers, yes most of our colleagues have dogs and most are dog/puppy friendly. Will have a chat to them and see if we can give it a go. It's funny how you start to make strange noises and talk in a very odd way to dogs! My OH sounds so funny when he is calling them back, I don't want to laugh as this is his serious, come back to me or else voice. I think it may have been the Arrrrrr! that sorted your pup out. Seriously though thankyou for replies, all helps to see light at the end of tunnel. Edited October 13, 2008 by KatyMc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Sorry, I wouldn't be doing what royalla suggested. It could end up in a fight or you could cause the other dog who was previously friendly to become dog aggressive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatyMc Posted October 13, 2008 Author Share Posted October 13, 2008 (edited) Trying to add photo but they are not very good quality once resized, here goes! Edited October 13, 2008 by KatyMc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Very cute Which one is the troublemaker? :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miranda Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Sorry, I wouldn't be doing what royalla suggested. It could end up in a fight or you could cause the other dog who was previously friendly to become dog aggressive. Agreed. This could be a dangerous thing to do IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 QUOTE (Kavik @ 14th Oct 2008 - 09:11 AM) *Sorry, I wouldn't be doing what royalla suggested. It could end up in a fight or you could cause the other dog who was previously friendly to become dog aggressive. Agreed. This could be a dangerous thing to do IMO. Yes- it is not the 'best way' to do things . I don't suppose Whyalla has too much in the way of dog behaviour resources That makes it hard for you- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eza Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Whyalla has hardly any dog resources sadly. (Im from Whyalla also). The dog obed club had a great head trainer but he had to leave and sadly doesnt have a lot of time any more. Im happy to help you any way I can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatyMc Posted October 14, 2008 Author Share Posted October 14, 2008 Very cute Which one is the troublemaker? :cool: Molly, the brown one is the bossy boots. I didn't say how she was when we actually stop and speak to other owners and dogs. She will sniff and let them sniff her, she appears very confident ie stands up beside them nose to neck. She sometimes makes a noise, little barks, growls or whining. She doesn't attack them just seems up for it! Does that make sense? Wants to jump up at them straight away instead of waiting for proper hello's. I make her sit and stop her from jumping at them. A GSD licked my face and she wasn't impressed with that, went to jump at him. On the lead she just goes a bit mental, pulling, barking. Overly defensive. We distract, make her sit until the dog passes, when she stays still and quiet she gets treat. I feel confident that we will get there with her, the more we learn about her behaviour the easier it is to tackle. Sense of humour is a must. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirty Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 She sounds fearful to me. Like you say, when she sees dogs at a distance she is overly defensive to try and 'scare them off'. Get professional help as fearful dogs can very easily become aggressive dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percyk Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 id walk molly separately for a while you need to focus on her and she needs to focus on you teach them to fetch in the backyard in the meantime so they have something to focus on when theyre out off leash hopefully one day ! when molly starts showing interest in another dog change directions and walk the other way for a bit reward her for sitting and focussing on you ifthis is not possible cos sheis going nuts try crossing the road and using some stimulus to distract her - dont avoid dogs altogether though find out what make her respond to you - it may not be food it may be a squeaker this has to be practised at home where there are no distractions so she becomes focussed on you find a park with dogs and put her on thelead and feed her bbq chicken every time she looks at you move her closer to the dogs but keep feeding her chicken - in quick succession - just as long as she is watching you eventually you may be able to be even closer to dogs - maybe even outside an enclosed dog park do not go in though unless there are only very old fat dogs ( joking ) - some dogs that wont go for her for being in their face or nipping at their ankles fear aggression is hard to manage and the dog can become a prisoner in their home because the owner wont go on walks with them and with a kelpie thatis isnt walked that will be a nightmare - they need heaps of stimulation those working breeds try tiring her out at home then go for a walk outside itd be great if you could make friends with some people who would be willing to walk their wellbehaved dogs past you while you maintain her focus by walking briskly try not show fear - walk assertively and quite quickly and reward her for not paying attention to the dogs i met one girl with a tiny dog who used to be fearful and bark but the owner kept taking it to places where dogs were ( from a distance) and just sat training it to be quiet and feeding it chicken all the while Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cannibalgoldfish Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 Sleepy lizard? you mean a shingleback? Sorry, lizards are as much fun as the rest of my pets.... A big shingle back would hold its own against your dog. Until she calls its bluff... Kirty, do I see british shorthairs in your photo thing? (not up with the tech name for the photo at the bottom of your post) or exotics? I have my first british blob, sorry, blue and really want to find some people to talk to about her! She is a grizzly little force of nature! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rottifan Posted November 1, 2008 Share Posted November 1, 2008 Well done for not sticking your head in the sand and just hoping it will go away like some people do. My boy wasnt socialised at all when he was young so I still have to be careful but I have been able to short him out but it took time and alot of awareness and getting other opinions and having someone watch me with him in public. I didnt realise that when I saw another dog offlead or a person approaching I immediately tensed up and his increase in intensity and aggression/guarding of me was stemming largely from my actions and change in behaviour. Its hard at first but when I hand him over to someone else who relaxes so does he but only do this in a controlled environment with another dog that you know is submissive - get expert help, I did and the results have been wonderful and now I've learnt to relax once it was pointed out to me and I saw the big difference it made! Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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