Member

Posts: 61
From:Australia
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 03-10-2004 02:36 PM         

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What's the best way to get a shy dog used to other dogs? My 2 yr old is not really interested in other dogs- and alot of times when he meets other dogs his fur stands up on his back. He is pretty friendly with submissive dogs, but if a over energetic confident dog comes bounding over to play my dog runs away with his tail between his legs. It's worse when there are a group of dogs! Yesterday my partner and I took him for a run and we went past an oval and there were bout 10 dogs all playing together and I said to My partner- "wouldn't it be great if we could take Bendy over to play with all those dog's that are having a fantastic time??" Bendy really doesn't know what he is missing out on because of his shyness! I really would like to help him get over this problem. He is more interested in playing with people than other dogs.

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Member

Posts: 173
From:Canada
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 03-11-2004 09:31 AM         

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To be honest, some dogs, are just people dogs, and don't need attention from other dogs to be happy. A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that if their dog doesn't have a "friend" he is unhappy, but a lot of the time it is quite the opposite.
A good way to help your dog is to maybe get together with a friend that has a dog and get them to meet in a neutral quiet territory. (It seems your dog can't cope with high enenrgy multiple dogs). This way your dog cn meet the other dog his own way and take as much time as he may need. If you notice that he only likes submissive dogs, then introduce him to submissive dogs onl, or dogs that aren't "high strung". You may also want to do some puppy classes with your dog. It will build his confidence and is a great bondig experience. There are also doggy daycares you can look into to leave him there one or two days a week for a couple of hours. A great way to train yor dog to be better around other dogs is with treats. When you are out walking bring some treats with you when you introduce your dog to another and he does not shy away, give him a treat. This gives him the impression that with dogs come treats! Before youknow it, he may be the most social dog on the block!
Good luck!

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Member

Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 03-11-2004 10:50 AM         

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Good advice Bullylove. I wouldn't force the issue either. Classes of any kind will build confidence and in the process your dog may learn to be more comfortable around other dogs. Maybe something like agility where there are other dogs running and being active but not in your dogs face.

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Member

Posts: 61
From:Australia
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 03-11-2004 01:49 PM         

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sounds good-wouldn't it be great if we could cure our own fears just with food!!!
He has been to obedience school- so he's had quite a bit of interaction with other dogs- but we haven't been for a while so I'll think I'll have to get back into it again. I just get a bit worried that he might snap at a dog one day. He had a bad experience from a cattle dog that was trying to round him up for a while and just wouldn't leave him alone, it doesn't sound like too bad an experience but it is if you have a fearful dog. The next day we went to obedience school and he didn't want to have a bar of the other dogs, I tried to coax him into the group but his feet were cemented to the ground and he wouldn't budge- the instructor actually sent us home! I felt so bad for him and I also felt like a bad Mum!!! It was awful. He was drooling and had his tail between his legs and was just leaning up against my leg---I had to take him home and give him love and affection all day, poor thing.
It's funny how dogs meet and they either don't like each other or they do-it's kind of like people. Sometimes (rarely) there will come along a dog who Bender chases and plays with I guess they are the times I'll have to have some food handy on me.
Boy have I got a real sook on my hands- at the moment we are trying to get over his fear of cars (with his biggest motivator-FOOD). He also doesn't like big posters of people and those stupid wind sock people that they put on top of shops!!

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