Stalking other dog while on leash - Page 2

Wanted to agree with the above posters that say the stalking is more of a play thing... All my GSDs do the head down focused stare, then to the lowered body and freezing, right before they leap to pounce or bounce toward whatever canine friend is within range. My 8 month old GSD exhibits this behavior more than my older dogs do, he does it several times during many daily play sessions. i might only see the older dogs do it occasionally when they get very excited while playing with other dogs, but all of them did it while growing up a lot. People laugh at my 8 month old when he stalks, they think he acts more like a cat, lol. Should mention these are people we run into at the dog park that probably haven't seen a lot of GSD play behavior.

The fact that it's happening on leash would concern me a bit just because her focus should be on her handler. So redirection and working on her focusing on you should help, but I'm betting if you let her loose to run free with the Shiba, the stalking would be part of a normal play initiation. Of course, i can't see your girl firsthand so I am just guessing at this point, but that is what her behavior sounds like to me - normal GSD play interaction.

Her lunging at other dogs could simply be frustration becasue she wants so badly to get to them, she's ramped up and excited and wants to play, and the leash is holding her back.

But, hard to say without seeing your girl.

Thank you, Joanro and Jenni. I have seen my pup stalk other dogs plenty of times while playing off leash, but this was different, or at least it looked that way to me.  I am not a trainer or behaviorist, but it seemed my pup was more stiff and intense. Her hackles were up too and I don't think they are up when she is play stalking, although they go up easily when excited in general. I need to be more observant. These things happen so quickly....  Regardless, I just don't feel this behavior should be allowed to continue when on leash, especially due to her extreme arousal over other dogs in general. Am I wrong about this? Am I over reacting? Am I expecting too much? I just want to do the right thing, with my main goal being to raise a well behaved and confident dog. Well,  maybe it will happen again and I will try to be more observant so I can give you more information. Thank you again very much.

Jetdog, I was writing my above post as you were writing yours, but you posted yours first :) Thank you for your thoughts. As for the lunging, I have no doubt that part of it is frustration, but isnt that where working on impulse control and training comes in? That is my understanding based on what I have learned, but I am not an expert. That said, I am working on finding a controlled safe venue where she can interact more with other dogs, but I don't know if this will be of help or if it is something I should do. Again, I just want to do the right thing and will do whatever it takes. Sometimes it is hard to know what the best thing in, especially when many times the experts differ in their opinions.  Thank you again! 

Jetdog, Yes, my pup does play with the Shiba, but she is older so it is very mild and short lived  play. My pup tries real hard to engage the Shiba in play, but many times she has little interest. I will observe them more carefully next time! 

I would give a voice correction with a little HARD leash correction and put her in a down to focus only on you and she gets up when YOU release her.  And for the rest of the time after this stalking goes on that is what she gets to do for you.  Down, focus, release...  Sit focus, release.  And so on.  I don't think playing on leash is a good idea at this point, in my opinion the leash means "work"...  Play comes after work along with reward.  Whether it be ball reward, toy reward of some type or food reward.  and release her and play a little retrieve ball and bring back to mommy and reward.  That would be how I would probably start to change the scenario.  Focus, focus, focus on you with food reward each time she behaves even with a doggy distraction.  Good luck  Nan

Thank you, Nan. As for the obedience and focus, that is pretty much what we've been doing when we see another dog and of course have been working on that without distractions, or less intriguing distractions and in various environments. When in the stalking mode, if it happens again, I will try the voice and hard collar corection, but if I cant get her attention I'll have to walk her away until she is able to focus on me.  With other dogs, any dog, getting her to focus is challenging if we are over her distance threshold. The good news is we have been able to get progressively closer over time.

I never let her play on the leash anymore. I did a couple times when she was young, but that stopped a long time ago.

You talk about playing as a reward and I'm not sure if you mean during our walk or after. During our walks we always do different obedience exercises in various locations and she is usually rewarded with treats.  I sometimes will bring a tug as part of our training, as well as using it as a reward, but I have a bad back so I can't do that a lot. On our walks, which are usually 1.5 miles, I do a combination of: casual leash walking (where she is by my side and checking in on ocassion), short distances of focused heeling, short sessions of focused sits, downs, stands,  and free time, where she can sniff and potty. I always have a food pouch filled with plenty of healthy treats for rewards. 

This girl of mine is a work in progress and any all suggestions are welcomed! Thank you again very much! 

My boy is also having trouble staying on task.   But I have noticed by attending the group classes and he gets to be around the other dogs that seems to help him for whatever reason.  My trainers call it pre-teenager brain, those teen age stages are coming for your girl also but y ou will probably far surpass us as my dog is a male and they mature sooooooo much slower than the females.  So be glad you have a female and I think what also has helped us is the fact that if you can get the walk in first they seem to settle down after the walk and maybe try with your focus and obedience after the walk.

Otherwise it sounds like you are doing very well with her.  Keep up the good work and TRY not to anticipate trouble when another dog or person approaches.  If she starts to go whaco then do an about turn and head in the other direction if you can and keep doing that until she calms down and engages her brain on focusing again.  BOL  Nan

Thanks Nan! Yes, this teenaged brain of hers has definitely been a challenge! My trainer keeps telling me to just keep doing what I am doing and things will work out. I haven't told her about the stalking episodes yet. I didn't realize males can be more challenging and mature slower. I guess the testosterone has something to do with it.  

We are going to start classes again soonl She has been in heat for the past 2 1/2 weeks so we had to stop going.  

I haven't had a puppy in over 20 years and I guess I forgot about the challenges! Plus, before I had much lower expectations. We will continue to compare notes, Nan! Thank you!  

Wait till she hits around 2 years old.  The know-it-all stage

Lol, Fawn! Can't wait! And here I was thinking that was about the time she would be calming down!