Agression towards some small dogs

[davidjk]

ok so now saskia has settled in with us (3 months ish) she has began showing dominanace towards some smaller dogs.

she hates shitzu's with a passion, and will try to stand over them, and then when they bark she barks, then they snap and she snaps then they bite.

so saskia has to stay on the lead if their is the slightest chance of her running into small yapper type dogs

its not all small dogs. shes fine with westies, she was quite happy to have a baby yorkie lay next to her.

infact the 3 breeds of small dogs she doesnt like are

shitzu

corgis

king charles spaniel

she is quite happy with our cats, and has never shown any agression towards them at all, not even an interest in them.

i have spoken to the previous owners owners, but they have yet to reply.

i think it is possible she was attacked by a small furry dog, and that is why she is so antisocial towards them.

anyway i wondered if anyone knew of a good dog psychologist in the kingston upon thames area postal area i.e. kt post code.

i would love to cure saskia of this, because apart formt his she is fantasic off of the lead.

but this behaviour means she has to stay on the lead.

[Ice and Cripton]

Im affraid i dont know of any, im still looking for a good one in London. Its very poss she was attacked as this would explain her reaction, i have also read that some Siberians just arent that good with really small dogs. I hope you sort out the problem:)

[Sarah]

Can't be much help i'm afraid, hope someone can help you

[davidjk]

Im affraid i dont know of any, im still looking for a good one in London. Its very poss she was attacked as this would explain her reaction, i have also read that some Siberians just arent that good with really small dogs. I hope you sort out the problem:)

yes i heard that also, but she is ok with most small dogs, and all cats also.

i know most huskies stay on a lead, but saskia is used to being off of her lead, so its a bit of a let down for her in my eyes.

gonna speak tot he rspca also and see what they say.

[Val (Zebedee)]

can your vet not recommend anyone or at least point you in the right direction of looking for a good dog psychologist in your area? you'd think if anyone'd know, a vet might .... just a thought, hope you find something.

I can't help, from experience, as Myshka treats all dogs, no matter their size, the same - if they don't bother with her, she walks by, if they take an interest, she'll go sniff noses, etc, if they launch a full on attack, she returns it! Not much use to you, I know, so I hope you can get this resolved & let Saskia have her off-lead freedom again! xx

[BingBlaze n Skyla]

got no advice sorry i sort ov no how u feel tho blaze hates dogs offlead runnin at him he growls at them n im scared hes gonna attack he is going thru his teenage stage tho so hopefully he will get better hope u find a good trainer for her sorry i cnt help - let us no how u get on

[steph]

(Stephs Fiance Here) Oscar has started doing this aswell, mainly at staffs as he got attacked by one not so long ago but i dont know if it is him being nasty or playfull? if he can see a dog coming towards him he will go down and crawl on his belly as if he is hunting but when the dog gets closer he gets up pulls towards them ( not alot of dog walkers like this as they think he is being nasty) is there anything i can do to stop this? i dont realy want to stop and get him to sit i just want to get him to be able to walk past and ignore the other dog.

Also does everyone take their husky off the lead i did originally start taking oscar off the lead up until he was about 6 months ( was a member on another husky site and got slated for taking him off the lead) he went throught a stage where he wouldnt listen to me telling him to come back even with treats, so i stopped it, but i would like to start walking him off the lead again if possible as he listens alot better now. what would people recommend?

[ade hill]

personally i wont let mine off lead unless they are in a totally surrounded and secure dog park, they just love to run, and are one of the best escape artist breeds known, that said..its your choice

[valkyries]

wont let mine off saying that we do have a surrounded seure area i do let them run off lead but thats the only place.

there is a sib that comes to where i work an i so wish mine was like it, i have never seen him on a lead he walks by his owners side, i spoke to her she said he was on a lead till he was 9 month old he pulled an every thing then she used a clicker and it worked great, i tried lol forget it xxxx

[ninooks mum]

David I myself have simular probs if we meet a yappy dpg I think its just a thing with most dogs they have their likes and dislikes but I never let nooks off other than on the beach or in our local feild where she loves running free if I see a small dog in the feild I always ask the owner first if its ok to let her off she gets on with most dogs as i said just the odd one that starts on her and she will warn them off

[ninooks mum]

hi Stephs fiance I have always let nooks off lead when in a feild we go to or on the beach but would never let her off lead near to the road or streets and nooks goes down on her stomache when we get closer to another dog I was told it was a way of saying that she is in submissoin not sure if its right though I was also told when nooks was younger I met a guy and he said let6 her off and play with the labs I did and they were fighting each other and the guy said dont worry they are trying to place themselfs in the ranking system and he was right they settlked and played

[steph]

i used to walk oscar on the local forestry road and let him off but was always warey that he'd chase after a rabbit or somthing and just keep running? We took him to the beach this weekend and last weekend and i met 2 other huskeys and both owners said they let theirs of the lead on the beach but they are nightmares to get back on? i just remember that when i did let oscar off the lead he knackered himself out from running so much which i thought might be good for him again as i take him for maybe a mile in the morning and 2 miles in the night but it always seems as though he could do with more exercise?

unfortunatly we dont have any enclosed parks near me and other dog walkers are scared of Oscar and dont like letting their dogs near him especially when he starts crawling on his belly looking like his is about to attack?

Would you recommend letting him off in the forestry again?

[Val (Zebedee)]

(Stephs Fiance Here) Oscar has started doing this aswell, mainly at staffs as he got attacked by one not so long ago but i dont know if it is him being nasty or playfull? if he can see a dog coming towards him he will go down and crawl on his belly as if he is hunting but when the dog gets closer he gets up pulls towards them ( not alot of dog walkers like this as they think he is being nasty) is there anything i can do to stop this? i dont realy want to stop and get him to sit i just want to get him to be able to walk past and ignore the other dog.

Also does everyone take their husky off the lead i did originally start taking oscar off the lead up until he was about 6 months ( was a member on another husky site and got slated for taking him off the lead) he went throught a stage where he wouldnt listen to me telling him to come back even with treats, so i stopped it, but i would like to start walking him off the lead again if possible as he listens alot better now. what would people recommend?

Normally, a husky will crouch down showing submission - Myshka sees another dog & before it's spotted her & we know if it'll be OK, she goes into "stealth" mode! Ears up, mouth closed, staring at the dog. But from experience, it is just her showing interest - that's when the other dog can make up it's mind to come & play or pick a fight! Huskies play by rearing up on their back legs & boxing or hugging, or they will bite ears & scruff of the neck while appearing to growl, but it is all play! Myshka is dominant & will stand over the other dog or jump to get higher than the other dog, Diesel is submissive & rolls on his back for anyone or anything!!

When we got Myshka, we always walked her off lead, & although we'd heard & read you couldn't, we knew the day would possibly come when we had to walk her on lead. She was 18 months old before we finally admitted defeat & it was taking longer to recall her But we regularly see a lady where we live happily walk her husky off lead all the time, lucky thing! We take our 2 to an enclosed area which has been created specifically as a doggy park, now, to run off lead (or waddle, in Diesel's case!)

[Sarah]

I let my boys off at a local reservoir, the "beach" area is enclosed, so far so good their recall is good but I always make sure no other dogs are around just to be on the safe side

[Damrod]

There is a deadly disease stalking your dog, a hideous, stealthy thing just waiting its chance to steal your beloved friend. It is not a new disease, or one for which there are inoculations. The disease is called trust.

You knew before you ever took your puppy home that it could not be trusted. The breeder, who provided you with this precious animal warned you, drummed it into your head. Puppies steal off counters, destroy anything expensive, chase cats, take forever to house train, and must never be allowed off lead!

When the big day finally arrived, heeding the sage advice of the breeder you escorted your puppy to his new home, properly collared and tagged, the lead held tightly in your hand.

At home the house was "puppy-proofed". Everything of value was stored in the spare bedroom, garbage stowed on top of the refrigerator, cats separated, and a gate placed across the door to the living room to keep at least part of the house puddle free. All windows and doors had been properly secured, and signs placed in all strategic points reminding all to "CLOSE THE DOOR!"

Soon it becomes second nature to make sure the door closes .9 of a second after it was opened and that it really latched. "DON'T LET THE DOG OUT" is your second most verbalized expression. (The first is "NO!") You worry and fuss constantly, terrified that your darling will get out and a disaster will surely follow. Your fiends comment about whom you love most, your family or the dog. You know that to relax your vigil for a moment might lose him to you forever.

And so the weeks and months pass, with your puppy becoming more civilized every day, and the seeds of trust are planted. It seems that each new day brings less destruction, less breakage. Almost before you know it your gangly, slurpy puppy has turned into an elegant, dignified friend.

Now that he is a more reliable, sedate companion, you take him more places. No longer does he chew the steering wheel when left in the car. And darned if that cake wasn't still on the counter this morning. And, oh yes, wasn't that the cat he was sleeping with so cozily on your pillow last night?

At this point you are beginning to become infected, the disease is spreading its roots deep into your mind.

And then one of your friends suggests obedience. You shake your head and remind her that your dog might run away if allowed off lead, but you are reassured when she promises the events are held in a fenced area. And, wonder of wonders, he did not run away, but come every time you called him!

All winter long you go to weekly obedience classes. And, after a time you even let him run loose from the car to the house when you get home. Why not, he always runs straight to the door, dancing a frenzy of joy and waits to be let in. And remember he comes every time he is called. You know he is the exception that proves the rule. (And sometimes late at night, you even let him slip out the front door' to go potty and then right back in.)

At this point the disease has taken hold, waiting only for the right time and place to rear its ugly head.

Years pass - it is hard to remember why you ever worried so much when he was a puppy. He would never think of running out the door left open while you bring in the packages from the car. It would be beneath his dignity to jump out the window of the car while you run into the convenience store. And when you take him for those wonderful long walks at dawn, it only takes one whistle to send him racing back to you in a burst of speed when the walk comes too close to the highway. (He still gets into the garbage, but nobody is perfect!)

This is the time the disease has waited for so patiently. Sometimes it only has to wait a year or two, but often it takes much longer.

He spies the neighbor dog across the street, and suddenly forgets everything he ever knew about not slipping outdoors, jumping out windows or coming when called due to traffic. Perhaps it was only a paper fluttering in the breeze, or even just the sheer joy of running.

Stopped in an instant. Stilled forever - Your heart is as broken as his still beautiful body.

The disease is trust. The final outcome; hit by a car.

Every morning my dog Shah bounced around off lead exploring. Every morning for seven years he came back when he was called. He was perfectly obedient, perfectly trustworthy. He died fourteen hours after being hit by a car. Please do not risk your friend and heart. Save the trust for things that do not matter.

[valkyries]

thank you Mike i just printed this out to always remind me NEVER to let my gaurd down, but after reading this i think it's inprinted in my mind now, it's so true thinking about it already i dont watch mine like i used to as so much i trust them with now.

I never let them off lead but other lil things so again thank you for reminding me not to let my gaurd down.

added to rep

[ade hill]

thanks mike.

not much to add other than the major reasons i dont let my dogs run free arent just the fact they can hurt themselves, or be hurt, if they do get away from me, remember that you have at your side a very valuable, human loving animal, dog theft is terrible for all concerned.

with that is the fact i wont be devasted if they did get away from me, did damage to livestock and were made to be put down, it does happen, and im just not willing to take the risk. as i said in an earlier post, this is just my point of view, but i value them too much to take risks

[Bec]

(Stephs Fiance Here) Oscar has started doing this aswell, mainly at staffs as he got attacked by one not so long ago but i dont know if it is him being nasty or playfull? if he can see a dog coming towards him he will go down and crawl on his belly as if he is hunting but when the dog gets closer he gets up pulls towards them ( not alot of dog walkers like this as they think he is being nasty) is there anything i can do to stop this? i dont realy want to stop and get him to sit i just want to get him to be able to walk past and ignore the other dog.

Also does everyone take their husky off the lead i did originally start taking oscar off the lead up until he was about 6 months ( was a member on another husky site and got slated for taking him off the lead) he went throught a stage where he wouldnt listen to me telling him to come back even with treats, so i stopped it, but i would like to start walking him off the lead again if possible as he listens alot better now. what would people recommend?

If you can guarantee that Oscar has a 100% reliable recall, go for it

If you can call him away from any distraction, go for it

If you can't don't risk it. Put him on a long/lunge line, so you have a safety net if you need to reel him in.

[Val (Zebedee)]

Mike, that is a very thought-provoking post, added to rep,

[Bec]

There is a deadly disease stalking your dog, a hideous, stealthy thing just waiting its chance to steal your beloved friend. It is not a new disease, or one for which there are inoculations. The disease is called trust.

This is just awful. Sorry, Damrod - I know people like this but I cannot stand this article, really... and it wasn't even written about Siberians, but dogs in general (I've seen lab owners post it on other forums).

The thing I can't stand about the above is that when we look at our relationship with dogs there are situations where we need to trust them. For example - when I enter an obedience trial, I need to trust that my dog will be able to do a several minute down stay in a line of ten other dogs, off leash, with me quite some distance away - without breaking the stay or moving even if another dog breaks and tries to engage with them. To insinuate as the above article does that you can never trust (or proof) a dog is just silly, and untrue. Of course we can trust our dogs, people put their trust in dogs every day when you consider how many dogs work for people in a variety of situations - as police dogs, guard dogs, guide dogs, search and rescue dogs etc.

Whilst I totally agree we shouldn't let our dogs off leash near roads the above article just grates on my nerves.

/end rant

[steph]

I think i'll start him on a long lead and see what he is like with that.

Over the last few days he has been getting alot better around other dogs and at listening,

only thing i have noticed is that he is very dominant over other dogs e.g. stands over them, is that normal?

I have also changed his food to a lower protein one and that seems to have calmed him down also.

[Bec]

I think i'll start him on a long lead and see what he is like with that.

Over the last few days he has been getting alot better around other dogs and at listening,

only thing i have noticed is that he is very dominant over other dogs e.g. stands over them, is that normal?

I have also changed his food to a lower protein one and that seems to have calmed him down also.

It's not what I would consider friendly, polite doggy behaviour. If you see him doing it call him away or leash him, or better yet, pre-empt him so you stop him doing it before he actually does it.

Some dogs react badly to 'rude' dogs posturing over them, I wouldn't let my dogs do it, and if a dog approached mine doing it I would recall them straight away.

I cannot stress enough if you haven't proofed for high level distractions then don't risk letting your dog off the leash in an unsecure area.

[steph]

thanks for the info. I pull him back when he does it but he only usually does it when we have stopped to say hello to the other dog? even then i dont like him doing it so i pull him back and make him sit.

[Bec]

thanks for the info. I pull him back when he does it but he only usually does it when we have stopped to say hello to the other dog? even then i dont like him doing it so i pull him back and make him sit.

It might just be when he's greeting the other dog - like he's saying 'Oi, look at me, I'm big and tough and more dominant than you!'

My tip would be only letting him greet other dogs when he is calm, and showing polite behaviour, sounds like you are on the right track

[steph]

It might just be when he's greeting the other dog - like he's saying 'Oi, look at me, I'm big and tough and more dominant than you!'

My tip would be only letting him greet other dogs when he is calm, and showing polite behaviour, sounds like you are on the right track

yeah it sounds more like that to be honest i think. do you think this will get better and he will ignore other dogs more when we eventually get another dog as a companion for him?