my dog doesn't like other dogs?

Question

my dog does not like other dogs so does not go near them but if another dog comes up to her she will snarl to warn them away.If the other dog doesn't take the hint she will go for them.If she hurts another dog who is to blame?I usually pull her away from other dogs but should I let them fight and let them be dogs or should I keep her away from them?

Answer 1

Since you know how your dog reacts to other dogs, you should really be avoiding confrontation. If you let her fight it out, she'll think that is acceptable, which it isn't. You shouldn't let her fight or snarl. As soon as she starts acting like that tell her no, make her come sit/lay by you until she's calm again. Try to inform other dog owners around you that she doesn't do well with other dogs, so they will tend to keep their dog away. Do you want to socialize her or do you enjoy seeing her acting that way towards other dogs? If you don't want to socialize her, I suggest you stay away from other dogs altogether. If you do want to socialize her, nip it in the bud and don't let her act that way. She needs to know that behavior is unacceptable and you don't like it. Find a dog that doesn't care one way or the other whether she is there or not and try to interact with that one, since it won't be overly interested in her.

Answer 2

Your dog is trying to tell you something. She is either an alpha dog personality or she is ultra shy. She is trying to tell the other dogs to stay away also.

This is a fundamental behavior that is _not_ going to change without some major behavioral work. My dog is very much the same way.

Because you know your dog is aggressive towards other dogs- if your dog harms another dog- especially seriously- you COULD be blamed. It would depend on all the circumstances involved. If the attack was unprevoked other than by some doggy sniffing- your dog would probably be blamed. If the other dog attacked first and your dog only injured the other in self defense yours probably wouldn't be blamed.

After speaking to several dog trainers and dog behavioralists about my dog- the general consensus was "Keep your dog away from other dogs- she is trying to tell you she can't handle the situation."

When my dog IS around other dogs I ALWAYS keep her on a leash and make sure that she can't turn on other dogs.

If you do decided to let your dog fight with others, be prepared for injuries- sometimes serious ones.

Answer 3

A lot of dogs don't like dogs running up to them and being pushy - especially females! It's got nothing at all to do with your dog's attitude to people so don't think because she doesn't like rude dogs, she may try to bite people. That's ridiculous!

Do you take her to dog parks or are these other dogs on a leash? If she's not real dog friendly, she shouldn't go to dog parks. If you're just walking her, the other dogs should be on a leash, so just keep them away, cross the street if necessary.

Often your body language triggers your dog's behaviour. You're anticipating trouble, so you tense up, probably tighten the leash - that signals your dog that something's wrong. She blames the other dog for this. You need to keep calm, keep her close by your side and if necessary, step in front of your dog so she knows you're there for her. It's your responsibility to look after your own dog, keep others away from her if she doesn't want them right at her.

Answer 4

Dogs, like children, need to learn social skills! It is in your pet's best interest to fix this problem. Never intentionally let your dog get into a fight! Is this problem happening in your house, or say while you are out for a walk? Put a muzzle on your dog(it's not cruel) and go to a park or somewhere where there are lots of other dogs, and let him/her practice getting along. If you are open to having two dogs, then bringing a puppy into the picture would be a great way to bring the older dog around. I've never seen a grown dog go off on a brand new puppy!

Answer 5

Never allow a dog to fight another dog, especially on a leash. Both dogs can end up seriously injured and you will end up being dragged into the middle of it.

Since you know your dog doesn not like other animals and you know your pet's warning behaviors, the responsibility to keep both animals involved apart is yours. If the other dog is leashed and keeps pursuing your dog, ask the owner to please keep their dog away from your dog and move on to another area. If the other dog is loose, immediately leave the area. Avoid taking your dog into dog parks or along paths where other pet owners congregate. If you can't avoid using these area, muzzle your pet. Change your exercise routine to a time of day when fewer pet owners are likely to be about...dinner time and later in the evening or early in the morning are all good choices.

Answer 6

It sounds like your dog is not properly socialized. The first year of your dogs life, it is good to get them around as many other dogs and people as possible in order for them to be socialized. I'll bet your dog is older than a year...you need to get her around other dogs in order for her to ever get used to them. What I would do is tell the other person that she needs to meet her dog, but have the person keep their dog still and allow your dog to sniff. she'll slowly warm up to the idea...let her sniff the other dog's butt. That's how they get to know one another. Perhaps a muzzle would be a good idea if she is a biter, because if your dog bites another dog you're definately responsible (providing the other dog was on a leash). If the other dog was not on a leash, then I suppose it's fair game. There are websites that can give you more professiona information. Do a google or yahoo search for "Dominance Agression in Dogs" or "Socialization in Dogs" and see if that can help.

Answer 7

I have found that dogs need to socialize with other dogs during their developing years (as pups). Just like people, we learn to socialize by being with other people. I have also found that the hunting breeds tend to be more territorial (meaning they want to protect and dominate what they think is there territory).

You have a couple of good pieces of advice mentioned. I would have to concure with getting a muzzle and participate in a local dog training program. You will have to invest a little more time with your dog during training. After training you, your dog and those you meet will benefit greatly. It may even save you from paying another individual's vet bill.

It's also difficult to direct you in an immediate course of action without first seeing the dog in it's various stimulated responses.

If your dog is currently familiar with an invisible fence system and it has proven to be effective, you may want to try a shock collar.

For those that are not familliar with a shock collar or invisible fence, the system warns the dog with a sound tone. If the sound tone does not change the course/action of the dog a mild shock will follow. Simmillar to the hand buzzer we use to use when we were kids pulling a prank on our freinds.

My Lab ignored the sound tone once (during training) a few years ago and has never challanged the sound tone again. It's the fourth dog I have had on the invisible fence system. It works, but like any other training you have to invest time to train your dog.

P.S. for those of you that hit your dog.........you are teaching them that agression is acceptable. If you continue to give your dog your love and attention you will teach the dog that love and attention is acceptable which is also a large part of your dogs natural charactor. Instead of disciplinning the dog create a diversion....show him/her what is good not what is bad. By hitting your dog you are showing your weekness, not the dogs.

Best of luck with your best freind,

Bird Dog

Answer 8

You have to be a responsible dog owner, you can not let them fight. Not to mention you will end up with you dog's vet bills as well as the other dogs bills to. Its a high price to pay for letting dogs be dogs. You can also face legal action if another owner reports the incidents, and if you are having a problem with unleashed dogs report those neglectful owners and muzzle your dog. In my area there is a strict leash law and I agree with it, after my friends dog was mauled by an unleashed dog. But you gotta admit it makes it hard on you when dogs approach your dog. So find out what the laws are in you area, it will be better for you.

Answer 9

A well-trained dog makes everyone happy, including his owner. Take a little time training him, and you'll never regret it; you'll always have an obedient dog by your side. Find more https://tr.im/7sZJ3

By their nature, dogs are pack animals with a well-defined social order. Through basic training, you need to consistently make sure your puppy understands that you are the leader, not him. So in teaching him the basic rules, you take on the role of pack leader.

To fit into the family circle, your dog must be taught to recognize his name and such commands as come, heel, lie down and sit.

Answer 10

My 2 staffies dont like other dogs either.

I always walk them on their leads. That way they are not free to do anything.

My problems come from other dog owners whose dogs are friendly. Their dogs come over to mine, so i have to restrain my 2, which is fair enough. But when i ask the owners to take their dog away as my 2 are nasty, i get an argument from them.

In my opinion, my dogs are on leads and not free to attack another dog, therefore, if i have explained this to the other owner and they still allow their dog to sniff, bark , etc, my dog, then they are at fault if their dog gets bitten.

This has happened to me once, and i had the police called on my dogs. After explaining the above to the police, there was no case as mine were on leads and therefore under control. Luckily i had a witness too.