[DUL958]

Sofie is now 10 months & 2 weeks old. We take her everywhere. She LOVES people (thank goodness). She's not so confident around dogs - most all dogs. We started taking her to the dog park, and to obedience, and everywhere else just as soon as she had her last vaccination, which was I believe around 14 to 16 weeks (can't remember now - seems forever ago).

There are dogs that she does just fine around, and others that cause the hair on her back (from scruff to tip of tail) to stand on end.

I generally take her into the dog park off-leash (removing leash in "foyer" area), and then walk, walk, walk around the perimeter and away from the other dogs so that she can smell and relax some.

She does this thing at the park where she rushes another dog and then runs back. I don't even know how to describe it. I'm posting a couple of links to YouTube - very poor, poor video (sorry), in hopes that you can see it and let me know your thoughts.

Perhaps you can either 1) allay my fears and tell me that this is normal behavior for a 10 month old, or 2) confirm that I need to get some help - perhaps from a professional.

We were told that if we just kept socializing her, that she'd relax. When does the relaxing come in? If another dog comes around that seems to scare her, she does this rushing thing. If another dog comes around that seems scared of her....she nips at it and completely terrorizes and bullies it. I have the horrible child that picks their nose and beats up on all of the other dogs in the class!!!! She can play all day long at Day Camp with another dog (I watch on the monitors and she plays great), but then as soon as she's outside of the play area you'd think she was Cujo. She's definitely better off-leash than on. When we're walking with her, we have to put her on the other side of us and just keep her at a heel position and just walk with purpose. If you stop and let her approach the other dog, she goes nuts.

Anyhow, I'd love some feedback if anyone has time. She is still just the light of my life and even though it's work, work, work with her because she's got so much energy, it's completely worth it.

Thanks - Maggie

 

[DUL958]

Thanks for all of the great replies - I am so relieved. She absolutely LOVES to be chased, and now that I read Chicagojosh's post, this describes her to a "T".

Typically most owners at the park don't mind if she plays rough with their dog. Once in a while though, there will be the owner that coos over their dog and scoops it up apologizing to it all of the way out, which chastizing me for having such a monster of a dog.

She will go after a fearful dog in a heartbeat though. But, it's funny that last week a little Chihuahua ran up to her and attacked her (in our neighborhood - it had gotten away from it's owner), and she squealed like a little girl. How embarassing!! :shocked: It surprised me completely because usually she looks at little dogs like they're something to be chased, and I have to hold her back. This little demon was so "in your face" that I think it shocked her too.

So, when she exhibits what I think is fear with the hair standing up on her back, should I correct that and tell her "no", or just leave it alone and let her work it out?

 

[DUL958]

Caledon - good thought about micro-managing. I do try to keep her near me because I am afraid that she's going to go terrorize another dog and I won't be able to get there fast enough to stop it. This has happened to me twice, and you should see the stares I get from other dog owners. Geesh. She's just a puppy, but to them she looks pretty serious and big. And, she plays rough.

She listens well when there are no distractions. But....if another dog was around that she was interested in, or something else real fascinating, I could stand on my head and scream and odds are she wouldn't come. We've got recall with no distractions down pretty good. Lots of work needed though with recall when there are distractions.

We've got a long way to go. Well, maybe it's me that has a long way to go. There's nothing wrong with dogs --- just owners, 'eh?

I have a huge amount of uncertainty though, which translates into anxiety. This is my first puppy (as an adult), and even though I've read all of the books, and watched DVD's, etc., it's more difficult when it's your dog. I am so afraid that I'm going to not catch things that become bigger problems later on. And I really want her to be well adjusted and happy (and tired - did I mention tired? ). If she ever has "problems", I don't want it to be because I was slack in some area of training or exercise.

These boards have been invaluable, and I really do appreciate everyone's input. I'm leaving now to take Sof for a walk, and reflect on how fortunate I am to have such a great pup. :wub: