new behavior - barking at other dogs

[AthenaClimbs]

Seems like just as we overcome one challenge, it's right on to the next...sigh

Our girl Athena is 5 months. She's always been well socialized with other dogs and is very friendly with everyone. Never growls, or attacks but always wants to play! She gets an hour in the doggy park (off leash) in the AM and PM and gets along great with everyone (she's playing with the big boys now).

Lately, when we've been taking her on walks and she sees another dog, she'll immediately start to pull towards them and start barking. I try to get her to sit but it's as if I don't exist! She will not listen, I even try to lure her to sit with her favorite treat and still nothing! I finally let them sniff noses/rears and she calms down.

I know this is common behavior for a puppy and she just wants to say hi and play. But how do you train her to be calm when another dog approaches?

[sprklnh2o]

omg. I totally have the exact same problem! My pup Berlin is almost 5 months and he's already got a big boy bark! It scares other pups and dog walkers. I would love to see what other people suggests. Currently I just walk the other way in hopes that he will realize he won't get any closer with that behavior.

[katdog5911]

Stella is 5 months today and the way she acts when she sees another dog...well it sounds like she wants to kill it! But she really wants to just play. She barks and growls and jumps and pulls.... I would love to know how to get her to calm down.

[helvetebrann]

Abbey used to do the same thing. It's called leash reactivity. We took her to a behavior specialist to help with other problem behaviors and we've really seen an improvement.

You need to catch your puppy being good before he or she sees the other dog. Click, treat, click, treat, repeat. Once the puppy sees the other dog and starts acting out, say NO in a firm voice and then try to get your dog's attention. If they pay attention to you, click, treat.

It took months, but Abbey no longer does this at all.

[AthenaClimbs]

I also feel it's something very common and normal for puppies to do. After they mature, they stop caring about other dogs more.

[kelseyca]

I am having exactly the same problem with my 8 month old pup Kahlua- it is getting out of control!

What do you recommend? Should I just keep walking when we pass another dog across the street and ignore the barking/pulling? How do I teach her to ignore other dogs?

Is this something she might just grow out of?

KElsey

[Anthony8858]

Kira is almost 5 months, and if I didn't do things to correct it, she would go nuts at the other dogs..

Fwiw, I anticipate this, when I take her for a walk. Before leaving, I make sure I have a high value treat, such as a hot dog. As soon as I sense that she's about to get nuts, I whif the hotdog under her nose, and say " watch me" as I continue walking. She would glance at the other dog, but always comes back to me for the hotdog.
So far, it's been keeping her in check.

[RMF]

Deezul does the same thing. He just wants to play.

[Razzle J.Dazzle]

We had an experience similar to this today. We were at the vet and waiting our turn when a golden retriever type dog came into the lobby. Razzle (6 months old) instantly started barking and lunging towards the dog. Now that he has his big boy bark, I'm sure other people think he's going to attack. I honestly don't know what he would do if he got to the other dog. The problem is, even if he only wants to play, no other dog owner is going to want to let Razzle "greet" their dog when he is acting that way. And I can't blame them!

My question is this. How can I understand what type of behavior (fear, aggression, playful) he is demonstrating? I will try what is suggested here and be sure to have a treat on me as a distraction, but I am worried if I constantly prevent this type of interaction, he will never get used to it and learn how to behave appropriately. This is my first big dog, so I am a complete noobie when it comes to these things.

[VegasResident]

The problem with a GSD is that they are so large, people always think they are in attack mode when your dog barks and lunges so they back away and sometimes this makes the behavior worse.

I can tell my boys behavior difference by his hackles. When they go up he is not in the playing mode.

As a GSD gets older and especially enters adolescence, new issues/behaviors may emerge.

If it is leash reactivity a good trainer can help. Leash reactivity generally can get worse and not just disappear. Dogs that are great off leash does not mean they are great on leash. At daycare I can see a dog that is great in the back go ballistic once it is on leash with its owner.


Not all GSDs stop caring about other dogs as they mature. I had a female that did not. Training and continued socialization are key and all behavior that you consider inappropriate should be nipped as quickly as possible.

My boy is going to all all GSD class for his adolescent training.