Barking, snapping, laying down on walks when others are near

Melissa

Daisee is 17 weeks old, and we've only had her for 2 weeks. She was well socialized with animals (horses, cats, dog) at her breeder's home, but only the ones on the farm, I think. She is great with my family, but when we go on walks, she is only ok. Sometimes she'll let people approach her (barely) and others she barks, pees, growls, and snaps. Other dogs are out of the question--she freaks! She lays down shortly after she freaks, and doesn't want to get up. When another dog was near her today, not approaching, just sitting on her lawn about 10 feet away ignoring Daisee while I spoke w/the owner, she began growling. She didn't freak, but she did growl and bark. The dog had been there for a few minutes already when she did this, and Daisee was laying down. I am afraid she may bite someone acting like this. We are trying to expose her to people as much as possible, but she is not taking it well at all and I am not sure how to go about getting her socialized when she acts so violently sometimes. I ask people to squat and hold out the back of their hand and let her sniff it and then approach them. She has only allowed three people to pet her, then she barked and snapped at one after allowing them to touch her. Others she runs behind me (or under if I'm squatting) and hides. I have been confident in her up until today and now I need advice so I'm not adding to the problem when I am on the other end of the leash. Thanks for any bhelp!

PS I tried to search for aggression here but it took me to external links. How do I search just the forum? Thanks!

anne · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 7:13 pm Post subject:

Poor thing, she's so scared! You have a big project and I can only commend you for the effort you are willing to put into her. You will have to be careful with her, as probably the biggest reasons for dogs biting is based on fear. You may want to put a muzzle on her, just for safety reasons. I know it gives the wrong impression and you will probably end up having to do a lot of educating of Joe Public, but.... you really don't want a dog bite. And it doesn't mean she's a bad dog. She is afraid.

Advice.... you need to go real slow, at her pace, her comfort level. Don't force her. Try to let her approach things and praise her for being brave, starting with baby steps.

If you want, we can arrange a meeting. I can probably get a few dog people together if you are willing to drive and find some nice dogs for her to be around.

anne · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 7:14 pm Post subject:

Don't use the search up at the top but if you go to the main page, there is a navigation box, use the search function there. I'll email you some articles and such on aggression from home (still at work!)

Melissa · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 10:48 pm Post subject:

Hubby and I discussed getting like a mesh muzzle or something like it, mostly to keep me at ease on the leash, but you nailed it--We have to educate Joe Public. I think we've got a few friends close that will help and we'll start there. I know she's in there and I do see flashes where she tries, so it is in her future to be able to be around new people and such. We have planned and arranged some "public" meetings with a good friend so we can be on neutral ground. We'll see how it goes.

I'd love to meet some other dog people for me and her! I'll try anything to get her moving in the right direction, and early in the game. Thanks Anne! I appreciate the offer and the info![/i]

Melissa · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:43 am Post subject:

We had our meeting this am and it went really well. I went out toward a friend's house w/Daisee on a leash. Wayne came out and he and I talked in front of his house. Daisee ignored him, but his sister (not part of the "plan") came right up to Daise and oohed and aahhed over her and petted her w/o asking and Daise wagged her tail and let her! When the sister came out of the house she left the door open and soon Pearl, a very well behaved golden ret. came out and greeted D. Daisee screamed, barked, peed and pulled on the leash and I let her retreat. Pearl was leashed and held. Daisee only retreated a little way (onto the step) and sat and looked. We kept talking, held onto Pearl and let Daisee sit by herself. She soon came to me and hid behind me, and started growling/barking at Pearl, but didn't retreat. Pearl sniffed in her direction but didn't bother trying to greet her. We all continued to talk and Daisee began to wander around I let go of the leash and let her explore (we are in a very safe environment). She tentatively approached Pearl (who was still being held)! D let P run her nose around her neck and face (D's tail was tucked but she wasn't growling), P got her fill, and turned away. I put Daisee back on the leash, Pearl went to the yard to play fetch, and after a few minutes D made her way to where fetch was happening! I was soo excited all I could do was maul her with kisses and good girls! She began to wiggle and do a few puppy jumps, and started to play. I know I may get it for this, but I let her off the leash.....she ran around and played, basically by herself, but played very near Pearl w/o being scared. We watched carefully, and were ready for Daisee to bolt, but she never did. She even took the ball and began to chew on when it was left unattended. We played like this for about 30 minutes, put both dogs back on leashes, and went home. The whole time I was so excited I bet I said good girl a thousand times and petted her raw!

I know this is a long post, but I am waaay too excited to not write it! Hubby is at work and Wayne (I'm sure) is sick of me bragging about how good she did. We'll keep working on her and I'm sure she'll come around!

jamie8dc · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:49 am Post subject:

That's awesome!! Sounds like you did it all perfectly, keep it up! It'll only get better with time

wildlifecr13 · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:56 am Post subject:

that is one positive experience in the books for her.
now you just have to keep building her confidence with more and more of them.
she will get there - sounds like she is on her way to making a friend already.
we have had Riley a week and Zoe is just now willing to lay next to her - so it takes time for them to warm up to eachother sometimes - and ours are together 24 hours a day.

weimdawgs · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:59 am Post subject:

That's great!!! I am so happy for her and you!!!

anne · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 1:31 pm Post subject:

That's REALLY great!!

2 comments. (And thanks for the detailed description)

First, the the sister that came right up to her - get more people like her!! People need to act as if the dog will deal with things. Hovering at a distance is the worst.

Second, next time I would suggest taking Daisee OFF leash when she is meeting new people/dogs (as long as it's safe of course). She will feel more comfortable knowing she can get away if she needs to. Giving her no option for "flight" means that she may feel she needs to resort to "fight" if she feels cornered.

Melissa · Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 4:23 pm Post subject:

On our walk yesterday afternoon we stopped and talked with an unfamiliar girl. The girl walked up to her, and Daisee peed, but did not bark, growl, or otherwise show nervousness. The girl gave her a quick pet, then stepped back and talked w/me. Daisee approached her soon after, and when the girl's 4 yo son jumped out of the car, she did not startle and was eager to sniff him. After a few minutes they were running between bushes playing, and she was not nervous at all, although she more played near him than with him. I think the breaking point may have been the other night with Wayne, his sister, and the uninvited retriever that turned out to be the best interaction yet. I don't think she's cured at all, and we will always have our socialization walks and runs, but I do sincerely think we may be getting over the initial fear of everything being so foreign to her. Thank you everyone for all the good info and suggestions, and we'll keep working on it!