spiritdogs
Posted : 11/6/2011 6:26:45 AM
Since your dog was presumably the attackee, not the attacker (sometimes it's hard to tell who gave stink-eye first), I would take Jackie's suggestion, BUT I would also do some classical conditioning and desensitization using a protocol such as the one in Emma Parsons' book "Click to Calm" - it was written for aggression, but works for the fearful dog, too. I would avoid the dog park but if there are a couple of friendly females that your boy likes, start off with play dates with them. Also, one of the BEST ways to reintroduce dogs to being calm and feeling safe around other dogs is to take a good clicker class with an experienced positive trainer. The energy in the room will be less stressful, each dog will be working with its own handler, thus not engaging too much with yours, and he will get the benefit of being heavily reinforced in the presence of other dogs, plus learn that he has nothing to fear from them, even though they are unfamiliar to him. You can find a trainer through KPCT or Truly Dog Friendly.