Dog Community

MY DOG WON'T STOP WHINING AND CRYING WHILE ON LEASH!!!

Posted : 5/16/2006 1:35:47 PM

Hello Everyone!

New here so go easy one me.

My wife and I recently rescued a smooth-hair collie lab mix from the SPCA and have had a wonderful time with her so far. We currently have very little background on our baby and don't know where she came from or where she's been. However, we can't seem to have an enjoyable walk with her. Roxie whines and cries at the site of another dog, or the possible sight of one. Whining to the point where people stare, point and yell at us to stop beating your dog. WE HAVE NEVER BEAT OUR DOG, the thought alone makes me sick.

Anyway, it makes it nearly impossible to socialize her or have "visits" from other dogs on our walks. We have made visits a couple of times, and on both occations Roxie has lunged at the other dogs. I try to remain calm, ask her to "leave it" and continue on. The problem is, she goes so crazy that we have to continue on and can no longer visit.

We have had her through the first grade of training (believe it or not graduated at top class!) and are now currently in second sessions. Training Roxie is a breeze. sit, stay, goto your bed, etc....all down cold. THE PERFECT HOUSE DOG.

Strap a leash on her and she goes bonkers!

I know it's purely excitement on my dog's part. She's so "wired" and happy to be out that she acts this way. Tail waging the whole time. Pulling not an issue, heals on command, checks in numerous times...the perfect walker until dogs are in sight.

We've tried ignoring her cries, we've tried pulling up on the gentle leader to promote eye contact, and we've worked focusing excersises until we're both blue in the face.... We've evn tried pinching her flank to get her attention back on us, and nothing works.

Please help, it's embarassing!

Thanks everyone.

Xerxes

Posted : 5/16/2006 3:21:08 PM

Just curious here...how old is she? When you say she lunges at the other dogs, does is she acting aggressively (growling, aggressive barking) or does she seem to want to play (tail wagging, ears down, play bowing, etc)

Since the collie is a working dog and has tons of energy, I'd say that this dog needs to run and play, among other things.

Anthony Duguay

Posted : 5/16/2006 3:23:49 PM

Nope, ZERO signs of aggression.

Tail waging, ears up playfull stance. All the signs of a cute playful dog.

She's 2 years old.

Xerxes

Posted : 5/16/2006 3:32:19 PM

I've only had experience with one smooth collie and she is NUTS. I just know she has more energy than any dog I've ever encountered.

I would say that a great place to start is with an obedience class. Just basic obedience to help get her socialized a bit more and to reinforce what she already knows. Aside from that she needs lots and lots of exercise, including some good runs.

I'd also carry a bunch of treats with you on walks, when she gets excited, wave one in front of her nose and give her a command (sit, down, heel) give her the treat and get her attention on you.

Hope this helps.

Anthony Duguay

Posted : 5/16/2006 3:48:27 PM

Yup. Totally lots of energy. We always wanted a dog we could run laps with etc.... chase frizbees etc.... but we can't becuse of her condition.

If we could get her focused and not whining, we could move on to more "open areas"

schleide

Posted : 5/16/2006 4:42:58 PM

Does she ever get to play with other dogs? Maybe at an offleash park or playdates in someone's backyard (obviously only if you are sure this is not aggressive behavior)? I am not a trainer and may be totally off here - but maybe if it were not such a novelty and something she is NEVER able to do, she would be clamer if dogs were something she could play with and interact with - just not while she is on walks and being asked to focus on you. This would help release a lot of the energy too...

huskymom

Posted : 5/16/2006 4:56:38 PM

Do you have any friends with dog friendly dogs that she could interact with safely? Are there any off leash parks around where she could get that rough and tumble play she so obviously wants? When we go to the park, Crusher gets more exercise than I could ever give him on my own. He has 4 lab friends and a border collie that he runs with for about an hour. I couldn't imagine taking that away from him just so I could make him chase a frisbee. Not that he will. Frisbees are evil apparently... tennis balls need to be hatched, and the basketball has died more than once. I agree with schleide. Take away the novelty of other dogs by giving her access to them whenever possible.

denise_m

Posted : 5/16/2006 5:20:37 PM

My friend had a dog who went nuts (in a good way) when he would encounter other dogs. He was so excited he actually scared the other dogs. Meeting a dog like this on leash can be very diffecult for the other dog. I would think a park area or yard with lots of room might be better. If she is charging, the other dog(s) can keep a comfortable distance and feel less threatened. Also the other dogs will let her know if she is crossing the boundaries of good play. Dogs are the best teachers of dogs. I'm sure patience and a couple of good meeting experiences will sort it out. Good luck!

Anthony Duguay

Posted : 5/17/2006 7:39:31 AM

Yup, she gets quite a bit of time wih other dogs. At least once a week we drop her off at "doggie daycare" and she plays all day off leash with other dogs with NO trouble whatsoever. They even take her out of her gentle leader!

I even went in during the day without her know to see how she interacted with other dogs. Just running bowing chasing eachother (really cute to watch) plus we're in dog training for an hour and a half once a week, not to mention walks every night. It's not like she NEVER gets to see other dogs.

Last night I did something different. I actually ran with her for a while, and I mean ran! I tried to tire her out (not easy to do with smooth-haired collies) and she seemed to be a little more calm once we stopped running to work on training. We also ran into another friendly puppy and got to talking to his owner...she offered to walk ahead of us so I could work with Roxie. After a while, Roxie couldn't care less of the puppy 30 feet in front of us.

I guess it was a small step, I'm going to work the same way tonight to see if it's just "excess energy" that causes her to go so loupy.

schleide

Posted : 5/17/2006 9:50:49 AM

If she gets to play and interact with other dogs, then it seems to be a matter of just working on having her learn that when she is on leash, her focus should be on you... For that, you are probably on the right track with tiring her out and then trying to work on the on-leash training - I would try carrying a bunch of really yummy treats with you to help you regain her attention... When you see other dogs and she is able to get her focus back on you and do what you want her to do (sit, watch you, heel or whatever) she gets a really yummy treat - it becomes worth her while to pay attention to you on walks - since you have all these great things that you might give her...

Anthony Duguay

Posted : 5/17/2006 10:05:28 AM

Awesome advice thanks!

I think overall, I just need to maintain her focus, slowly introducing her to dogs while walking. I mean it;s so bad that another dog can't go by on the other side of the street without her flipping out. Sometimes jumping around etc....

georgie4682

Posted : 5/22/2006 2:13:51 PM

My dog Buster has done this since we got him at three months, he is now eleven. No matter how hard we try to ignore him or ignore what he sees he will cry and whine so loudly. People stop and stare and ask what is wrong with him. It's quite obvious that he is excited, but I think they jump to the conclusion that we beat him. I have two other dogs who he is around all the time, but other dogs, just get him going. By the way he is a greyhound mix. I think it's just his way of talking to me and letting me know how happy he is! (even though it can be quite embarassing) I found that the ONLY thing that works is just what someone above mentioned...carry yummy treats with you...he won't even notice the other dogs.

mudpuppy

Posted : 5/23/2006 9:20:57 AM

this is actually quite a common condition-- sometimes called a reactive dog, or a leash-aggressive dog. The cure is to de-sensitize the dog to other dogs. First find some friendly dogs your dog can play safely with OFF-leash, to satisfy her social needs. Second, keep in mind that is ALWAYS a bad idea to let a dog on a leash interact with another dog. Dogs on leash should learn to ignore their surroundings and pay attention to you. those Meet-and-sniff-the-passing-dog on leash many people allow are a really bad idea, you want your dog to understand when I'm on leash, I'm not socializing or playing, I'm working. If the dog knows she has no chance ever of playing with another dog on leash the rules become much clearer to her. So walk your dog on a leash near another dog, but not so near that she goes nuts-- this might be very far away at first, so far your dog is barely aware another dog is in the vicinity. And reward for paying attention to you and ignoring the other dog. Then you just gradually, oh so gradually, get closer to other dogs. You may want to enroll in an obedience class-- talk the instructor and see if you can work your dog far away from the other dogs at first.