Strange incident @dog park (my dog chased a Great Dane)

[Mayasmom]

Maya did a weird thing today at the dog park & Im trying to understand why.

We were playing fetch w/her (she absolutely LOVES her ball). She didnt notice right away that a great dane had enteted the park. The great dane started approaching us & when Maya saw it she took off after it. She was running hard & fast. She wasnt barking. We of course were hollering for her to come, which she eventually did after chasing it a good distance away.

I really dont think she wanted to play with it. Im concerned that next time, what if the other dog doesnt run & stands its ground?

Later we introduced the dogs but despite the other dog being really intetested in her she wanted no part in knowing this dog. She basiclly ignored it.

So why did she chase this dog?
Sorry this is so long. Anybody have any ideas?

[MaggieRoseLee]

If she's not used to seeing such a huge dog, and it was a new dog, and you haven't seen her act like that before............. you are right there may be an new issue cropping up.

Think you are doing the right thing to have her introduced to the dog later so you showed her the Great Dane was ok.

In your dog classes do you have other large dogs to work on this with? Can you ask you instructor about other dogs in other classes you may introduce your dog to? Better to be pro-active and do the greetings in a controlled environment to make sure you work this out smoothly.

[Mayasmom]

Maya has been socialized around other dogs, she normally pays no attention.

We dont personally know anyone that has a dog bigger than her like a great dane. That is probably the biggest dog she has ever seen. She is not in a class.

Im not sure if she is just really confident in herself to have chased it or misjudged the dogs size.

Maya is extremely prey driven, she has killed birds, tried killing a duck, lunges on the leash towards cats and goes after squirrels in the yard.

Do u think her prey drive instinct was heightened by the fetch playing with the ball?

She is extremely obedient & normally comes when called. She had tuned us out similar to when she is lunging ay cats on the leash, fixating on squirrels, etc. We enjoy playing fetch with her in this park &really, its the only reason we go.

[GregK]

Best thing you can do is get a solid recall with this dog.

Same type of thing happened to me yesterday. A irresponsible dog owner had her 2 dogs off lead at a park I was at. I was hiking with one of my Mastiffs. Her one dog, a Weimarane,r comes a charging us barking his head off. Well he thought twice about it once he got closer - LOL.

Nonetheless it was annoying and he was totally blowing off her recall cue.

Now if I was someone else with a small dog that could have really been a frightening experience. And of course, I got no apology.

[Mayasmom]

Im gonna look into whistle training for the recall. I need something loud enough to "snap" her out of the chase. Thanks GregK!

[GregK]

Welcome.

This was the best vid on whistle recall training I could find for ya:

Whistle Conditioning for the Recall - YouTube

[doggiedad]

teaching your dog "stop" and "come" will snap her out of the
chase.

Originally Posted by Mayasmom

Im gonna look into whistle training for the recall. I need something loud enough to "snap" her out of the chase. Thanks GregK!

[Stosh]

I taught the "woah" command which means "stop dead in your tracks and listen to what I say next". It's usually followed by "come" but not always. Patricia McConnell has a great way of saying that command on her dvd "Lassie Come" and I try to say it the same way. You drop your voice and bark it out so the dog turns and looks at you because he's never ever heard that sound come out of you and you must mean business. I never give any other command the same way. I use it because we have a lot of deer on our property and I need something other than "come" to get my point across.

[Mayasmom]

Thanks again GregK. The video was impressive. Wish there were more distance between the two "handlers" but I get the jist.

Stosh & Doggiedad, I appreciate your suggestions on alteratives to "come", however, if Im dealing with her prey drive instinct, which Im convinced that I am, we will need something LOUDER than us. She did not just run but bolted & covered a good distance very quickly. The whistle seems like a good idea so we are going to give it a try.

[GregK]

Originally Posted by Mayasmom

Thanks again GregK. The video was impressive. Wish there were more distance between the two "handlers" but I get the jist.

You're welcome.

Just have to gradually increase the distance and basically do the same thing.

Could also have both handlers use the whistle and recall the dog back and forth.

If you're alone, have a 100 foot check cord attached to her collar to make sure she doesn't blow you off as the distance increases.