Twit Of A Dog - Barking More And More......, ......at other dogs. Options

[poverton]

Hi,

Haven't been on here in ages........................ and don't have a massive problem, but it's just starting to become a nuisance I suppose.

I have three dogs - all friendly and well socialised. However, one of my dogs (a cavalier cross) has never been quite as confident with strange dogs as the other two.

Increasingly on walks he is barking at other dogs - sometimes if theyr'e close by being walked but not always - sometimes we can walk past on the same pavement and he doesn't bat an eyelid. But off lead he is starting to 'have a bit of a go' and just gets all barky and goes up to them showing he's not happy with them.

He had a bad start - puppy farm / sold via Dogs'r'us / dumped in rescue at 4 months - so I guess socialisation wasn't good. He's wonderful at home, a real character, but does act when out and about as though he is nervous of particular dogs. He will stand rigid while they sniff, and then turn on them barking, before stalking off. He's never bitten.

As I say, this isn't consistent, and he has lots of 'pals' in the doggy world - but I worry that

1. He's going to 'start' a fight one day.
2. He'll get his head bitten off!
3. He's being rude with a couple of puppies that play in the park with my other two.
4. He's acting like a bit of an idiot when he never used to and people are starting to think he's aggressive - he loves people!

My other two welcome everything, whatever species, and play an awful lot with each other. When they do, Max always leaps about barking excitedly. It all seems to me as though he is worried about meeting new dogs, and that he doesn't really know what to do as instinctively as the other two. I think he's nervous!

Any tips ??

Px

[KB Merlin's Mum]

Welcome back.

This is similar to an issue I have been working on with my lad Kes. We have found a combination of the exercises in the Control Unleashed book, the Behaviour Adjustment Therapy book and also theanine tablets to have helped me to address some of his issues.

I'd say go with your gut instinct, if you think he's acting out of nervousness, then treat the situation with that in mind.

Kes was never, is never consistent in his reactivity. Playing with a black labrador one day then shouting at a Flat Coat the next. The reasons for his reactions seem to be too subtle for me to pick up on. But using the exercises in the books have really helped as has the theanine. We tried Zylkene, but that had no effect whatsoever.

Just as a side point, if this behaviour has developed suddenly - it might be worth popping him down to the vet, for a general check, and to make sure that he isn't perhaps in pain anywhere as this might cause him to not want to be jumped on or spooked by other dogs.

Good luck.

[poverton]

Interestingly he has just had his teeth cleaned as they were looking awful - whether this was making him a bit grumpy - it's a possibility I suppose.

I have got the water spray out in the hall as every time the doorbell goes he's starts an almighty racket. I gave him two squirts last night the moment he did it, and he hasn't done it since! It was just getting to the point people could actually come into the house and he would STILL be barking the house down.

I am going to take some treats out with me on walks and maybe gain his attention when others approach for a play. As I say he isn't consistent, but I think it is time to work on this before he does bite off more than he can chew.

I'll have a look through the links - Thanks for your ideas x