How do you read this behavior? - Page 2

Hello Char,
I think it is great you are taking her to nursing homes.   Giving her a job, cool.  So, back to your issue.  If I want my dog to play with another dog.  I walk along together on leash single file, keeping the dogs moving forward and not making contact, just allowing them to get a sense of the eachother thru their sense of smell.  Then I decide which dog is the more dominant and I would give that dog a change to smell the back end of the other dog.  Then we walk side by side.  Then let them off leash.  Once off leash I would watch for an aggression and be ready to head it off at the pass by stopping it right away.  The other thing I find is that if we stand around looking at the dogs, that is when they can get snippy.  So, I walk and try to keep them moving and maybe even get a distance away so they can interact on their own once it all looks ok.

Really, I think you shouldn't worry much about this.  Just have her play with dogs you know and that she gets along well with.  That is all they need, I don't think they need to play with every dog they meet.  And out in public don't let her make contact with other dogs, that should solve the problem.   I just tell people my dog is in training and is taught not to go up to other dogs until I give her a command to do so.   

 

 

 

 

Hi Cara,
Thank you for your suggestions.  If the opportunity arises I will try walking next to the other dog first, but that could only occur in a specific situation. I do try to read other dogs, but sometimes it's not possible. Here are some examples of two recent incidents:  The other day we were at a CGC/ Therapy dog evaluation session (we just went to observe) and we were in close quarters. Shelby just looked over and sniffed a little Poodle on a bench and the dog went after her. At the time she wasn't even exhibiting any obvious dominant mannerisms. Yesterday we were at the vet's office. Shelby was lying down on the floor in front of me. A lady came in with a Boston Terrier, sat next to me and put her dog on the floor. She asked me first if Shelby was ok with other dogs. Shelby just stayed in place, lying on the floor and the Boston Terrier walked over to her. They sniffed noses and the Boston Terrier started growling and snarling immediately.  The owner quickly pulled her dog away. Shelby, as always, did nothing, except look up at me. All I can think of is that she sends a message of being very dominant and threatening, but on the outside, to us humans, she looks sweet and non-threatening, and in this case she was very calm. This is not something I dwell on or worry about, but I would like to avoid having Shelby getting growled at or snapped at.  She not aggressive at all now, but one really bad experience could change that.  So, as you said, it's just best to avoid contact with strange dogs- period! This discussion has been helpful and I really do appreciate your input.
Thank you,
Char