Dog Community

why is this happening?

Posted : 11/28/2008 8:40:34 AM

Well guys I could use a little dog behavior input here. Bugsy is an uber-friendly dog. We have worked on his pushiness and although it isn't perfect its pretty good. He has never met a dog he doesn't want to play with and this has always been reciprocated. Fast forward to last week when we went to the parade, two dogs in separate incidents lunged at him, snapping and snarling. Yesterday on our hike a dog came over to say hi (owner said they are friendly) and within 15 seconds that dog snarled and snapped at B. Mind you B's tail was wagging.

He can have his tail high but it wasn't at the parade and he didn't make eye contact with either of those dogs. In one case he was greeting and being pet by someone when the dog came up behind and lunged.

Now this morning someone's dog is loose and we found them playing in the yard. This dog is a sweetie (currently crated in our garage as the owner's haven't answered their phone) and they were playing fine but when B pee'd she cowered. They played more together fine but I thought that was weird.

So what is going on? Any thoughts? I mean if he was as 'in your face' as he was as a pup I would understand a dog saying back off. But he isn't and in some of these cases he was more than 5 ft away from the dog.

He has shown no concern, startled for an instant and that is about all. I am concerned though, if he ever got reactive he would be darn near impossible to deal with - seriously.

I will post this in the forum if I can get a handle on specifics - right now it all just seems weird to me.

So any insight is welcome

thanks

rwbeagles

Posted : 11/28/2008 10:01:17 AM

I don't know Karen....it could be his size or coloring or a combo of both. Dogs with dark faces often trigger that sort of thing because they're not easy to read. It could be mere coincidence really, and make sure YOU are not reacting or anticipating an issue because not only will Bugs feel it the OTHER dogs can even feel it and that can lead to the reactivity you're rightly worried about.

Just relax and continue to have him get plenty of treats when another dog is around at a distance so he learns to look to you when he sees a dog...that will also give you something to do so you don't get anxious. Give him easy commands he knows and be really happy and stuff...

kpwlee

Posted : 11/28/2008 10:50:36 AM

Thanks Gina - I have always felt really relaxed around other dogs and I will have to be careful now that I remain that way. Heck a friend who has two reactive doxies said once it must be so nice not to ever have to worry about him and other dogs - we go to lots of dog days together in an attempt to help hers along.

I try to ensure that I am aware of any signals he is sending out but his body language seems the same as always. He wants to play with any other dog he meets. We just completed an obedience class that took place in a dog park in order to continue to work on him being able to focus on me not wanting to run with the pack, so to speak, and he did great. I usually put him in a sit stay if we are passing other dogs just to work on his self-control.

I was thinking that may be he is fully mature now and that changes things?

Don't know - thanks once again and I go practice some zen now LOL

rwbeagles

Posted : 11/28/2008 11:06:11 AM

These days most dogs are so neurotic and undersocialized that the sight of a confident dog is enough you know? Not dominant...confident...they can be close sometimes. I think that is what it may be...