Seems like I only ever write in with questions, but that's because I don't have the answers! Within the last couple of months, my 19-month Sheltie has
begun snarling at other dogs under some circumstances, and I wonder how I should be handling it. She is pretty eager to engage in the sniffing ritual and with
probably 90% of dogs everything goes just fine--they take turns sniffing and we move on. With the other 10%, she starts out okay, then freezes while the other
dog sniffs her face, and starts snarling at them while in her frozen position. If I catch it in time, I just say "okay, thanks" to the other owner
and walk away, but if I don't, she will eventually snap at the other dog. That has happened probably three or four times now. A couple of times I thought
it happened because she was feeling trapped, either between me and the dog or the dog and something else. Yesterday, though, we went to the vet, and while we
were in the lobby a woman walked in with a pug. Both dogs on leashes, both dogs about the same size. They walked eagerly up to each other and started sniffing,
both at the ends of their leashes, plenty of room to maneuver. The sniffing went on for about a minute and was going fine, then I saw my dog freeze and begin
to snarl. I just walked away with her. What is going on here, and how do help her over it? I got her at 8 weeks from a great breeder, where she lived in the
house with all the other dogs. I have *extensively* socialized her from day one, although she has not had extended contact with other dogs because she's my
only one. But we went to puppy kindergarten, meet lots of other dogs on our walks, and so forth. I do think she is quite jealous of my attention, but I never
got anywhere near that pug yesterday, so that can't be it. Any ideas?
0 Kudo
How should I handle this snarling?
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 sheltienose |
How should I handle this snarling? |
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Posts: 119 07/09/08 7:07 PM |
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 kchriste |
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Posts: 4879 07/09/08 7:23 PM Trainer/Senior Member |
Something about the pug set her off. Walking away is the best thing to do. I don't expect my dogs to like all other dogs, and I trust their judgement.
BTW, I don't let my dogs socialize at the vet's office. Stressed and/or sick dogs are not at their social best. The other owner might not think to mention that their dog has been vomiting or something. |
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packopeebs |
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Posts: 894 07/09/08 7:26 PM |
Is it always around the same point in the sniffing? Most dogs are good with the initial sniff, then when it starts to get more intense - past the shoulder
blades, groin area, rear end is when it can get to be an issue. I don't let my dogs do more than sniff for 10-15 seconds, they are then called back and
rewarded for positive interactions and we avoid any dominance ugliness that could crop up if the dogs were allowed to continue sniffing. If it has gone well, I
can always tell the dog to go say hi again.
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packopeebs |
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Posts: 894 07/09/08 7:32 PM |
Agree with not socializing at the vets, my dogs are either in the car until it is our turn or in a down beside me. Is it always at the same point of the
sniffing? Many dogs are OK with the face, but when things begin to move around to shoulder blades, groin, rear, it can get growly. I usually will give my dogs
about 10- 15 seconds to say hi, then they are called back to me and rewarded for a positive interaction. By the way, pugs breathe very loudly and can worry
alot of dogs...
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gingasgirl |
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Posts: 2222 07/09/08 7:35 PM Senior Member
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I could be entirely off-base, but I have found my BC and BCx to.... Protect me from a variety of "evil" situations (to their minds) Things are MUCH worse if small spaces and leashes are involved. I have learned to... respect their sense of space. Turn away. Teach attention games. Body block. Demand instant sits and downs in a variety of situations (OK-still a work in progress). By the way - some dogs can be possessive of people/owners - just like a juicy bone. Oh, and herding dogs have a sense of space - pugs really don't; they are born to snuggle up to everyone and everything. Pugs and Bulldogs move funny ,too - not like "normal" dogs (back legs are structured differently). But others may advise you better than me - I just remember a strikingly similar post from me when Emma (BCx) turned 14-15 months. She's 4 1/2 now.
Karen, Emma, and Lee (Knightly)
Last Edited By: gingasgirl 07/10/08 7:05 AM.
Edited 1 time.
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packopeebs |
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Posts: 894 07/09/08 7:37 PM |
Stupid cyberspace! Eating my posts, making me re-type only to have them reappear - grrr!
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gingasgirl |
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Posts: 2222 07/09/08 8:06 PM Senior Member
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I feel your posting pain! My response disappeared, then showed up about 1/2 hour later...
Reading KChristie and Packopeebs...I could be SO wrong, but This sounds familiar... "With the other 10%, she starts out okay, then freezes while the other dog sniffs her face, and starts snarling at them while in her frozen position. If I catch it in time, I just say "okay, thanks" to the other owner and walk away, but if I don't, she will eventually snap at the other dog."
Karen, Emma, and Lee (Knightly)
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TKW |
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Posts: 3711 07/11/08 10:08 AM Professional Trainer/Moderator |
I don't ever want or need my dogs to say hello to other animals in the vet's office (a. sick dogs... b. small small space... c. dogs already stressed,
owners worried and on down the leash the tension goes).
I too wait in the car for our turn. Also do short interactions, call away happily before body language changes. Sniffing and initial greeting sounds like it's ok until they get into her face? Herding breed space issues... they are not amused. I'd avoid those situations where you can't control the interaction, and I'd be working on say hello's with dogs she likes, doing lots of happy call-backs and make sure you can read her so that you call back before the "freeze" happens. |
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kchriste |
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Posts: 4879 07/11/08 11:36 AM Trainer/Senior Member |
Waiting in the car is not an option in Washington DC in July. I prefer downstays by my feet. I sometimes take a mat for the dogs to lie on, because the floors
are so slippery.
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TKW |
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Posts: 3711 07/11/08 12:41 PM Professional Trainer/Moderator |
Yup, sometimes not an option to wait.. in that case:
Try to stay away from the door so dogs coming in or out are not forced into her space Also try to stay out of corners.. Try to keep yourself facing the rest of the room so you can see what's coming from the front and nothing can come up and surprise her. Bring some treats and do some fun, light obedience like simple sits or downs down/stay (mat is a nice idea!). |
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Salty Dogs |
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Posts: 4838 07/12/08 9:23 AM Dog Sports Trainer/Moderator |
Also, be prepared to tell other owners your dog needs space. There are the continual entrants with dogs at end of leash in a small vet waiting room with the
eternal "he's friendly" line. Wrong place and time for that, in my opinion.
I don't want to catch what their dog might have and my dog doesn't need the stress. Your dog sounds normal to me. Think about how some people rub you the wrong way upon first meeting and some don't. Dogs can have issues with eachother we can't see easily - and like said above, the herding dogs can have lots of space issues. Your dog may become more testy as she matures - hard to say without seeing - but she may be a queen archetype in development, it could be fearful of some dogs - there are many reasons - most managed with management. Patty |
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sheltienose |
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Posts: 119 07/14/08 1:07 AM |
Hm, looks like my earlier reply got deleted! Well thanks, everyone, I'm glad to know this is normal and that I have more or less been doing the right
thing. Good point about the vet's, I wasn't thinking. I'll be more careful next time.
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