my yorkie scared to pass other dogs

[cazzy]

Hi guys my little yorkie was mauled buy a bigger dog when she was a pup and ever since dosent like most dogs she barks at them when passing i have been trying to build her confidence ever since i did have her at a stage when passing dogs she would just grumble which was ok but while on holiday we were walking up a country lane when a dog came towards us but looked to be in a playful manner so wasent worried however when passing the dog it lunged at my poor little one i had her on a lead so was able to get this dog of her dident do any damage physically but from then on she won't pass any dog coming towards her i more than likely have to pick her up she then screams and barks then while passing the dog i dont know what to do any advice as i don't know if i'm making matters worse x

[Jkpal]

Piper, too, had a bad experience w/large Akita and now when she sees any large dog, she chooses to keep her distance and give them wide berth. I respect and totally agree with her decision. Fortunately, it's only the big 'uns and Piper is still wonderfully little dog friendly...I would allow your little one to avoid big canines and maybe try to distract her when approaching smaller ones. After time, maybe introduce her one-on-one to a calm, social small dog, in hopes that a few positive, non-threatening interactions will negate the lousy incidents your poor little girl had...?

[yorkietalkjilly]

Dogs are often quite nervous on a lead when they see an approaching dog as they sense they are at a great disadvantage to the oncoming dog, not free to run or defend themselves in any way due to the constraints of the lead. It must be a totally confining, frightening feeling to sense one is trapped on that lead for the nervous, anxious dog when they see another dog approaching, especially if one has been traumatized by an attack or bad fright by another dog!!! Unless the dogs totally trusts you to protect him on the lead, a nervous or scary dog is going to be very anxious when he sees a strange dog coming his way and knows he cannot run or even fight successfully to defend himself thanks to the lead!

Dogs often aggress when on leads as they feel the best defense is a good offense and can become quite loud and snarly as they try to project a sense of their ferocity to approaching dogs. Usually dogs off lead can approach one another in the natural way and their body language can totally change once off lead and often prevents trouble, if at least one experienced dog handler is on hand. Sadly, there are many reasons that a lead is required equipment for walking all but the best-trained, country dog walking down his own private farm lane.

To start, I'd slowly condition her that another dog's passing can be a safe, good thing by walking her only when she's hungry(so she'll highly desire the treats, even if very nervous)picking her up in your arms, walking across the street from the oncoming dog and one after the other fast-feeding high-value treats to keep her distracted and feeling safe in your arms at a distance as she learns to tolerate other dogs in her presence. She'll slowly come to learn that from the safely of your arms, dogs at a distance cannot hurt her, pass on by rather quickly and will soon learn they also mean good things - treats! The treats, if she'll take them when nervous, will keep her interested in the special food as hungry as she is, as she senses the dog in the distance has passed without incidence. Keep each walk down to a block at first and then retreat to the security of home. Repeat these sessions x2 daily at first, increase as she begins to relax in another's dog's presence.

Once she tolerates a passing dog using this method without snarling or shaking for two weeks with NO set-backs, post her progress on this thread and we can take the next step. But this is the first step in re-conditioning her that a strange dog approaching isn't a bad thing.

[Jkpal]

YorkietalkJilly~~You are, as always, so wise and awesome and clear and truly helpful!

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by Jkpal

YorkietalkJilly~~[F]You are, as always, so wise and awesome and clear and truly helpful![/FONT]

Aw, thank you for the kind words. Hope this can begin to help that poor baby start to have better associations in her mind with strange dogs coming near and start to show her they don't all mean her harm.

[cazzy]

thank you for your advice she used to give dogs a wide berth but now she just stops in her tracks and just wont move i have to pick her up she is fine with my friends small dogs just don't know what to do for the best

[cazzy]

thank you she wont take treats when out side but don't know if im doing more harm by picking her up while passing dogs i was wondering if to just stand to the side of the path while the other dog passes she just makes a real carry on i feel embarrassed at times she is friends with my friends dogs dosent play with them but also dosent like them playing i have also noticed that she is better with male dogs

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by cazzy

thank you she wont take treats when out side but don't know if im doing more harm by picking her up while passing dogs i was wondering if to just stand to the side of the path while the other dog passes she just makes a real carry on i feel embarrassed at times she is friends with my friends dogs dosent play with them but also dosent like them playing i have also noticed that she is better with male dogs

What is her currency in life? What does she really love in life that always motivates her? What does she consider a paycheck or highly valued reward? A squeaky toy or chasing balls?

For rehabilitation purposes, you have to find a way that allows her to form pleasant associations with the appearance of another dog. Something that will get and hold her attention in a happy way as she experience the other dog come near and go by.

If she is very, very hungry would she be interested if you pulled out a lovely raw piece of meat or warm hotdog piece to bait her with? Not that you would ever let her get to it to eat it but to bait her as show-dog handlers do in shows- holding the bait in their closed fingers up to the dog's lips to keep their rapt attention as the judge appraises them.

If she's action-oriented like a Jake-Russell, you might make a fun game of running her around in very, very, furiously fast, tight, repetitive circle - so fast and intense that she cannot manage to find a way to do anything but think about keeping her feet under her? Then, after the dog has passed, massive praise party using high-squeaky-toned praise words, caresses and happy dances, then tossing her squeaky toy ahead of her for her to pounce on and take out her pent-up energy on. An action-oriented dog would adore this type of thing and see it as a wonderfully fun game that seems to happen every time another dog approaches when outside.

[cazzy]

ok thank you will have a think and let you know how we get on

[yorkietalkjilly]

Patience. This type of fear isn't easy to fix as she's not food-oriented when scared so working to find what will get her attention fixed on something else in a non-food oriented dog is one of the hardest to get started rehabilitating from their fears. And likely you are more than a little stressed by the walk, her fear reaction and fear of another attack on her yourself. Normal reaction but unhelpful at this stage.

Both of you should be as relaxed and calm as possible before you try to walk her outside. A good run around the house, up and down stairs or doggie steps or backyard to work out her anxieties, frustrations, distract and tire her often helps relax anxious dogs.

And psyche yourself into a confident state with macho, military-type self-talk or whatever it takes to make you feel completely self-assured with your abilities and in control of any situation. I swear this really works - positive self talk. Your dog can read your emotions before you even feel them so she'll know if you are worried about the advancing dog or how she will react so every time she sees a dog approaching, so truly control your mind, think relaxed, confident, in control woman of purpose - out to fix things for her baby and not about to take any guff from any other old dog!!! Or however you need to boost your self into a positive, assertive winner. Your dog will begin to feel that you are her bold and confident leader and relax, knowing you will always protect her. And she'll feel less nervous.

And you can learn to read the body language of approaching dogs by Googling 'dog body language' and study how to spot the attitude of the approaching dog and come to easily recognize dogs you should stay very clear of. Any dog that begins to alert to and fixate on your dog, body stiffening, ears and tail erect, perhaps slowly wagging, perhaps still, eyes wide, round and intense, be aware. But some dogs will be just bouncy, rambunctious and eager to get to know your dog while most others will barely notice her, depending on the type of owners who live in your neighborhood.

But your baby has some currency, something she values or is highly interested in that you should be able to pinpoint and use to distract her when another dog approaches during her early rehab. Otherwise, trying to keep her on the other side of the street as you involve her in some type of ultra-fast-paced activity that will intensely involve her while over time gradually teaching her that dogs passing aren't all about to try to get her even as she's busy involved in whatever activity you've devised. And she'll begin to associate their nearness with that great activity or thing she so enjoys and fear begins to dissipate.

[cazzy]

my hubby says the same about me sending messages down the lead i more than likely am because as soon as i see a dog i see first if its on a lead and then wonder whether to pick her up or not i will try to have a more positive mind will let you know how we get on and thank you for your advice