Any advice on walking the dog off leash - Page 1

Hello,

I have a young female age 17 months and she is a fine german shepherd.  She is bold and courageous and possesses all the drives expected of her age.  My only concern is her behaviour around nervous dogs particularly the ones off leash.  She is not dog aggressive to other dogs that are stable or friendly but tends to dominate the ones that runs or growls.  As I live in urban surroundings most dogs are off-leash.  Often I call her back to me when I see other dog/s approaching and put the leash on her but I wonder whether this practise is better than having her muzzled so she can interact properly/ normally under supervision and also without apprehension of any problems arising.  Any suggestions?  Thanks.

My suggestion is to walk your dog on a leash

Thanks GARD for your simple and straight forward approach.  Of course that would solve a lot of problems for the handler.  I was hoping to hear inputs from those who may have successfully overcome a similar situation with their young dogs.  Is it not possible to teach the dog that such dominant behavour is not acceptable?  She is fine with well adjusted dogs, its only the nervous ones running free.  She does listen well and I was hoping to instill proper behaviour with some form of aid like a nylon muzzle just to be on the safe side.  Well, if I hear no possible contributions from others than your safer than safe approach is the only way forward then.

I was not being a smart ass. That hould be my honest suggestion to anyone with this question.

Here is my thought. I do not let my dog run with other dogs. Don't know if you do or not. I do not expect my dogs to "act appropriatly" if another dog runs up on it. You say she is fine with "stable" dogs but have a problem with dogs that growl. I don't see a problem with a dog who does not like another dog challenging it.

Put yourself in her shoes.  If some stanger ran up to you, invaded your space, and put their hands on you, would you act "proper" in that situation or would you tell the person to get the hell out of your face?

Everything falls into OB. If you have solid OB, you dog will not be distracted. If you have a rock solid sit. Then your dog should not break a sit. However, in my opinion it is unfair to expect a dog to hold a position with a loose dog running up on it.

It sounds like you are practicing safe handling skills by looking out for what your dog is going to encounter. That's good. I try to forsee problems before they become problems. I will tell another handler to leash up their dog. Which will usually bring a response of "It's OK. He's friendly." I then tell them my dog is not (even if they are) and ask them again to please leash their dog. IF they refuse to do so, then whatever happens, happens and is their fault. I have very little tolerance for people who can't or won't control their dog.

If a dog approaches with aggression, I step in and try to run the dog off. If they really want to fight, then there is going to be a fight. Either with me, or both me and my dog. I back my dog, and we will win. I expect my dog to defend me against attack (be it human or animal) so feel it is my responsibilty to do the same for them. This is just my attitude on the subject.

As for your question about the muzzle. I would not do it. It automatically puts the dog in a defense position because they can't defend themselves, which will likely make the dog aggressive. What if you are approached by a dog who really wants to fight? Would you really want your dog to be unable to defend itself?

Just something to think about.

Thanks GARD for explaining the various situation where things could go wrong with dogs running free. 

She is my first german shepherd and also my first experience with this type of dogs.  My previous dogs were gundogs and I had no problems  with them meeting other dogs. They do not necessarily play with other dogs but a quick sniff and off they trott.  However if I anticipate a situation I redirect them elsewhere or put them on a lead.  I do allow my GS to run free with my other spaniel and very occassionally with other dogs that I know are calm and social.

Had I the opportunity to socialising her as puppy, I reckon this would not be a real concern.  She was raised till age 10 months in a rural surroundings and then now in an urban enviroment.

I am glad you have pointed the opposite effects of the muzzle.  Instead of a safety issue it might just backfire.  I should research abit more on this.  The idea cross my mind when  I read a thread on "muzzle-training" (not what I want BTW) just how to properly muzzle a dog i.e. gradual with plenty of positive associations so that the dog readily accept it. as well.

I will continue to play it safe with the leash until I know for sure the problem is fixed.  Thanks again.

It sounds to me like she only has a problem with dogs that are showing some form of aggression. If this is the case I already stated my case there.

One thing you can do for training, is use a halti or gentle leader. Start with your dog around familiar dogs, or at a distance from a dog park. At a dog park there are usually dogs running and play fighting, which seems to be the problem.  Use the halti for correction, not a collar. When the dog becomes over focused just pull up on the halti for a bit and move on. When the dog becomes familiar with the Halti (usually the will initially fight it) Gradually, bring the dog in closer to the dogs at the dog park.

Once the dog knows that over focus on other dogs brings a correction from the halti (using a pinch or choke collar usually intensifies the aggression to other dogs) you can just take your dog for a walk on the halti and use it accordingly.

It sounds to me as if she begins to get excited (in a bad way) when a dog acts up around her, and becomes dominant.  Although you want your dog to be able to protect you in a situation, she needs to remain calm-submissive when there's no direct threat to her, besides an unbalanced dog.  You should check into Cesar Millan's books and training tools at  www.cesarmillaninc.com .  He sure makes sense of the nuances of dog behavior, and I agree with his methods.  I also agree with G.A.R.D..  I'd keep her on leash when around other dogs that there might be an issue with, until you've been able to teach her to stay calm/submissive around other dogs.  And that can take some time.

walking dog off leash?

Stay on your own property, stay away from people and animal's.

You wanna walk past the nieghbor's house and or dog put your dog on the leash and carry insurance.

Most place's have leash law's for a reason.   Use good sense.

keep the dog on lead, that way you can correct her if she acts up, start socialization classes at a training club

regards  

Thanks GARD again for the tip using the halti instead of the chain/ pinch collar as a form of diverting her attention.  I have given her quick tugs on the collar just to bring her attention back to me in the earlier months.  She used to be terrible.  Will bark from a distance.  I was living in the rural areas of Holland and most dogs have their own field to exercise or they will be on a lead.  Bringing her back to UK and settling back in urban surroundings was like "crocodile dundee" experience;  the high rise buildings, noise, plenty of dogs, neighbour's cats, cars, buses, pavements etc.   I spend nearly 3 months allowing her to adjust and I would say she has improved massively apart from what I have mentioned on this topic.

I like Caesar Milan and have watched several episodes on dog aggression but the culprits I have seen tends to be chihuahuas or similar kind not the big ones with massive jaws.  I will check it out.  Thanks CryBucks25.

TwoMoons, thank goodness I do not live in your neigbourhood.  It sounds scary (no offense taken) from the way you approach the situation.  I will take your advice and use good sense.

Tigermouse, she is probably too old for socialising classes but not for Dog Bostal.  I wonder if  "squirking water" helps to eliminate undesirable behaviour? GARD what do you think about this?  Are they any implications which might make it worse?