Not recognizing other dogs' agression

[AthenaClimbs]

Athena and I were at the park today and she got along fairly well with all the other dogs. There was one dog in particular playing with her ball and Athena came over to sniff her and her ball. The dog (being possessive of her toys) gave Athena a growl and showed her teeth to back off. Athena kept sniffing and the dog growled again and lightly lunged at her with a bark. Athena backed off and looked confused. A few minutes later Athena AGAIN tried to sniff the dog and her ball.

This happened about a few weeks ago in puppy class where she sniffed the dog, didn't recognize the growl proceeded to sniff, the dog barked, lunged and bit the tip of her nose.

My question is, when will she learn that a dog growling or showing its teeth means to just walk away and ignore. I fear she may not be catching on and will one day get herself in big trouble. She is going to be 5 months on the 9th.

p.s. as for me, the first time, I saw the dog show it's teeth, I asked Athena to come to me but she didn't listen. But again, I want her to learn somehow without getting hurt.

Thoughts? Sorry if i'm sounding paranoid...

[gsdraven]

I would intervene when this happens and redirect her attention to something else instead of waiting for her to get the message because she may "get it" eventually or she may not until a dog over corrects her and hurts her.

[AthenaClimbs]

Thanks, I'll do that. I watch her like a hawk at the park but sometimes she runs off with another dog and who knows what may happen (god forbid).

[Jack's Dad]

Get her away after the first growl or better yet don't let her approach dogs who have toys. They are not hers and you don't know the dog. That is not the way for her to learn.

If she is learning to socialize I would sugggest a much more controlled environment. She could be hurt and then you will have some problems.

They can learn dog behavior without being right in some strange dogs face.

Let her watch from a distance and she can observe other dog behavior.

It is better if you can meet people who already have dog friendly dogs that she could be with.

[martemchik]

She might not ever learn, my boy didn't until he was big enough to not care that anyone was growling at him. I would always get him away from the dog that was growling because I knew he didn't understand what was going to happen next. Now I just watch the people that allow their dogs to growl at mine...

At 5 months old I wouldn't let her run off at all...not only can she not stand up for herself she also can't run away from anything.

[AthenaClimbs]

Wow thanks. I was handling it all wrong. Thanks for the advice!

[Ava]

Be proud of her confidence, but intervene going forward.

It's one thing for a very well known dog or the other family dog to correct a pup but something different for other dogs to do it. If an unfamiliar dog over corrects it could cause fear or lessen your pup's confidence level OR the pup might fight back and get hurt.

I would continue to let her play and have fun, just keep a close eye on her and keep her.

Toys at dog parks = not good.

[Anthony8858]

How old is she?

[martemchik]

By the way, I read your other thread on apartment living, and my boy spent his first year in an apartment in downtown Milwaukee and now is in an apartment a little outside the city. I do have a car though so he went to the park all the time. They do great anywhere, as long as they have a loving family that cares about them.

But yes, watch your dog, she might not learn, they sometimes forget they are puppies and think they are invincible. From day one til today my dog thinks he's the U.N. he will get between any fight and any dogs that are getting a little too rough. As friendly as he is, it always worried me, and until he was old enough to defend himself I really didn't like seeing him in those situations.

[AthenaClimbs]

She's going to be 5 months on the 9th.

I see she's getting more confident around other dogs but still a little nervous around bigger dogs. I just look at her and she's so hopeful and optimistic and wants to get to know everyone. But I do keep a stern eye on her and always get a bit nervous around new dogs. I've never seen her fight back and hope it never escalates to that. She may be a totally different pup after that. But yes, I will most certainly intervene moving forward. Thanks for the advance everyone.