So from the beginning on Gaia was definitely quite submissive and shy around other dogs. We worked through it with puppy class and meeting dogs that I knew were safe for her to be around. She doesn't have a problem with passing another dog as long as we don't pass them going towards one another. When we have to pass someone directly she, but only sometimes, takes a step back and seems anxious. There is no problem at all when she is meeting dogs, she plays well and doesn't bark or growl at any. I am going to go over it with our trainer again but has anyone some advice from their own experience. My approach so far was to just walk past them not acknowledging the other dog and staying calm and confident throughout. It did get better in the way that she recovers very quickly (less than 10 seconds) after we pass the dog and then she just walks next to me like usual.
I am aware that the approach from the front is much less desired then from the side by the dog but obviously it's unavoidable to do so.
We are doing a bunch of confidence building aswell and she doesn't show any anxiety around anything else besides some random fear phases from time to time that are resolved in a minute or two.
Should I maybe just pass them with a little more distance between us and then slowly work on passing other dogs closer?
I am aware that the approach from the front is much less desired then from the side by the dog but obviously it's unavoidable to do so.
We are doing a bunch of confidence building aswell and she doesn't show any anxiety around anything else besides some random fear phases from time to time that are resolved in a minute or two.
Should I maybe just pass them with a little more distance between us and then slowly work on passing other dogs closer?