What exactly happened here?

Jgk2383 · 08-31-2010, 01:42 PM

We have our new dog, Elvis

hes actually 10 months old, not 8 like I had originally posted. ANyway He lives fairly decently with my small Rat Terriors, should be Rat Terrorists! He does like to try and play and or herd them by nipping on the back of their necks., no barking, no growling nada. Yesterday we had to go to the Vet to have a fecal redone. While there, in the waiting room was a very senior medium sized dog. Elvis looked at him at first went to sniff him a bit and I pulled back a bit. Elvis became more interested and started barking that Deep scary bark. The poor senior was so scared he peed himself. It was awful. I corrected Elvis sat down with him and they took the senior back in to the room. While we are waiting to be seen another senior comes in, this time a lab. Elvis went CRAZY barking the deep bark ears straight up. At this point I removed him from the situation and put him in the car with me while we waited for teh test results. What is this? Aggression? Reactiveness? Needs more socialization? We have an appointment with a trainer later this week but Id like some more insight before I meet with him.

rickaz80 · 08-31-2010, 02:32 PM

Pups go through stages as they grow. You are in the year stage, which can be troublesome. Keep up on the training and socialization. This will pass with work.

Lilie · 08-31-2010, 02:44 PM

When I take Hondo (11 months old) into a new situation (Vet, Pet Smart etc.) I always make sure that I have 100% of his focus when we walk in. We enter at the heel, and if I feel I'm losing him, I'll push him with demanding a sit or down, this usually brings him back to me. I've even done this in a door way, blocking the entrance. Then when he relaxes a bit I'll release him and let him sniff around. I NEVER let him sniff other dogs, I just don't want Hondo catching anything.

Jgk2383 · 08-31-2010, 02:45 PM

THank you for your response. How exactly do I socialize him if he is starting to act like this with unknown dogs? Where I live in Arizona we do not have a doggy park or anything.

Jgk2383 · 08-31-2010, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lilie

When I take Hondo (11 months old) into a new situation (Vet, Pet Smart etc.) I always make sure that I have 100% of his focus when we walk in. We enter at the heel, and if I feel I'm losing him, I'll push him with demanding a sit or down, this usually brings him back to me. I've even done this in a door way, blocking the entrance. Then when he relaxes a bit I'll release him and let him sniff around. I NEVER let him sniff other dogs, I just don't want Hondo catching anything.

Thats why I pulled back the dog was in the vet and I dont want him catching any yuckies!

Lilie · 08-31-2010, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jgk2383

Thats why I pulled back the dog was in the vet and I dont want him catching any yuckies!

True - but try to catch it before he has the opportunity to get close enough to sniff. If they are standing at the counter, wait till they move. If they are sitting by the door, keep him focused on you when you walk in. If there is only a seat left that puts you right next to someone, then stand. While you are doing this, make sure you are giving him lots of praise. If praise excites him, then give him quiet praise, like "good sit" in a lighter tone.

You'll always have an occassion when he over reacts. He's a puppy, and he is learning his possition in life. You just have to make sure that he remembers you let him know when and how to react.

Jgk2383 · 08-31-2010, 03:20 PM

Thank you so much for your advice. We are going to be working alot on manners etc, but we will get it done!

Lilie · 08-31-2010, 03:27 PM

This is really the fun part of training. I'm sure your trainer will be able to help you directly with how your pup reacts. But finding out what motivates him and what you can do to help him become successful is really part of the joy of raising a puppy!

Jgk2383 · 08-31-2010, 03:38 PM

Until the trainer gets here etc should i refrain from bringing him into places like petsmart etc

Jax08 · 08-31-2010, 03:45 PM

When you pulled back, it tightened the leash and the collar. He may have taken that "tension" as something being wrong with the other dog. You may have caused his reaction with yours.

Been there...done that...

08-31-2010, 01:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jgk2383 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: SouthEastern Arizona AKA The Sun Posts: 397	What exactly happened here? We have our new dog, Elvis hes actually 10 months old, not 8 like I had originally posted. ANyway He lives fairly decently with my small Rat Terriors, should be Rat Terrorists! He does like to try and play and or herd them by nipping on the back of their necks., no barking, no growling nada. Yesterday we had to go to the Vet to have a fecal redone. While there, in the waiting room was a very senior medium sized dog. Elvis looked at him at first went to sniff him a bit and I pulled back a bit. Elvis became more interested and started barking that Deep scary bark. The poor senior was so scared he peed himself. It was awful. I corrected Elvis sat down with him and they took the senior back in to the room. While we are waiting to be seen another senior comes in, this time a lab. Elvis went CRAZY barking the deep bark ears straight up. At this point I removed him from the situation and put him in the car with me while we waited for teh test results. What is this? Aggression? Reactiveness? Needs more socialization? We have an appointment with a trainer later this week but Id like some more insight before I meet with him. __________________ May you live as long as you want but never want as long as you live- Slainte'!

08-31-2010, 02:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jgk2383 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: SouthEastern Arizona AKA The Sun Posts: 397	THank you for your response. How exactly do I socialize him if he is starting to act like this with unknown dogs? Where I live in Arizona we do not have a doggy park or anything. __________________ May you live as long as you want but never want as long as you live- Slainte'!

08-31-2010, 03:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jgk2383 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: SouthEastern Arizona AKA The Sun Posts: 397	Thank you so much for your advice. We are going to be working alot on manners etc, but we will get it done! __________________ May you live as long as you want but never want as long as you live- Slainte'!

08-31-2010, 03:38 PM	#9 (permalink)
Jgk2383 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: SouthEastern Arizona AKA The Sun Posts: 397	Until the trainer gets here etc should i refrain from bringing him into places like petsmart etc __________________ May you live as long as you want but never want as long as you live- Slainte'!

08-31-2010, 02:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
rickaz80 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: tucson AZ Posts: 186	Pups go through stages as they grow. You are in the year stage, which can be troublesome. Keep up on the training and socialization. This will pass with work.

08-31-2010, 02:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
Lilie Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 5,649	When I take Hondo (11 months old) into a new situation (Vet, Pet Smart etc.) I always make sure that I have 100% of his focus when we walk in. We enter at the heel, and if I feel I'm losing him, I'll push him with demanding a sit or down, this usually brings him back to me. I've even done this in a door way, blocking the entrance. Then when he relaxes a bit I'll release him and let him sniff around. I NEVER let him sniff other dogs, I just don't want Hondo catching anything.

08-31-2010, 03:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
Lilie Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 5,649	This is really the fun part of training. I'm sure your trainer will be able to help you directly with how your pup reacts. But finding out what motivates him and what you can do to help him become successful is really part of the joy of raising a puppy!

08-31-2010, 03:45 PM	#10 (permalink)
Jax08 Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NNE PA Posts: 12,780	When you pulled back, it tightened the leash and the collar. He may have taken that "tension" as something being wrong with the other dog. You may have caused his reaction with yours. Been there...done that...

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