Oops, sorry about the double-post, the computer timed out on me!

Wonderful advice.
Also have you a friend that could walk thier dog with you....one that doesn't react to dogs walking passed, sometimes another dog which is less stressed is a good way to show yours how to behave. Best of luck

One of my dogs, a female lab cross, has fear aggression issues while on leash. She is not very confident when meeting new dogs and approaches them in a very submissive manner, which can mean trouble, especially if the other dog is dominant. If she becomes afraid she will react aggressively; her behavoiur has triggered attacks by other dogs and fortunately neither she or they have been injured. But it can be very scary!

She is approx 4 years old, spayed and has been around other dogs her entire life with no issues at all.

If she meets dog off leash or on loose leash she is much more confident and will not react negatively to them. I have started working with a trainer and have discovered that because I have become fearful of her reactions to other dogs, I pull on the leash and that triggers her aggression.

You should, as others have suggested, take your dog to the vet for a check up and if all is well consider a private consultation with a qualified trainer. Your local humane society, animal shelter or rescue agencies should be able to refer someone to you who is good at dealing with these types of issues.

Best of luck!

Can you tell us about the first experience as that would help a lot. Please try to remember how you reacted to the situation and how you got your dog under control or not.

I bet I know how you react now.

You see the other dog first.
You get your dog on the leash immediately.
You hold the leash very tightly.
You get more and more anxious as the dog approaches and I bet you even build up a sweat!
Now your dog is going mental, isn't she?

Need to know more to offer advice. As for APDT or other organisations, they have to write an essay and pay for them to come out and view a class....that qualifys people to become behaviours. Farmers are great behaviourist, search and rescuse trainers, some police dog handlers, hey even CM can help but they don't have qualifications. There is one around my area APDT member and she is known to put dogs on prozac and/or PTS. The best way to find someone in your area is ask the vet and doggie-friends, reputation really is the best way.

I may not have the answers but I will offer my perspective to what you write. At least here on the forum you are putting out the question to people who have a real interest and expereince with dogs. And so far I have found them to be helpful.

P.S. Could you tell us if she still socalise with other dogs, are they dogs she is familar with, does she socalise with strange dogs on/off leash at any time?

ACE_ANIMALS-There have been no other changes in 'Katie's' behaviour around dogs......she can still play chase quite happily. She generally always bounds over to the other dog though.....sometimes kind of stalks them first......for example, she will creep towards them occasionally then mabye lie down before she makes the run right over!

The problem only seems to be when shes on the lead.
Though, I have noticed that if the other dog has a ball or a toy thrown for him/her, then Katie will bound over for the ball too, which can start an aggressive episode.
She done that yesterday......chased after another dog's ball and the dog bit her on the mouth!! We managed to grab her before she retaliated! Did it phase her? Didnt seem like it!!
Katie doesnt seem scared and always fights back if another dog is aggressive towards her! Its funny, because she is quite a nervous dog in general.......she always has been. Very jumpy at sudden noises and hates how plastic bags/bin bags can move at their own accord. Very jumpy!

My husband says that Katie does not behave as bad as she does with me when he walks her! He says he can get her to walk past dogs fine, more often than not! Smarty pants!! Perhaps the problem could be with me? Were going to take her walking together today (which is a rareity what with our work committments) and I ll see how he does it.

Valuable advice from quite a few of you with regards to taking Katie to the vets for a check. Will definitely do that when I get paid. Thanks all x

YOUNG STEVIE-That is a good idea but unfortunately I dont know any calm, balanced dogs!
My parents have two dogs but Molly (springer) really has no interest in other dogs and will snap if pestered......my dog Katie would pester her as she has done in the past and we ve had to keep pulling her away! The other dog is tiny and when she met Katie proceeded to bark and growl at Katie.......which didnt make for a calm meeting. Mind Katie did ignore her in the end and enjoyed her walk. That was a long time ago though when we didnt have this problem with Katie. Good idea though!

TOBY96- I fear my dog is one of the dominant ones that upset your dog! Dont know how she became dominant though! I thought I had trained her quite well.

FABI- You are probably right! I see the other dog coming and I tighten my grip........then I worry about how I am going to have to use all my strength to hold her back when we pass the other dog! I possibly do project my fear onto Katie, but if I didnt do that and didnt tighten my grip......well, does that mean she would behave or could she not lunge at the dog and then reach it and goodness know what would happen then!

In my last post I explained my husband doesn have the same problem with Katie when he passes another dog, so i am left thinking it could very well be my insecurity/fear when walking her that causes the scene!

To answer your question:
To regain control over Katie I always pull back on the lead, tighten my grip and then verbally scold her afterwards with the usual....'No!' 'Bad girl' (in my cross voice)....gosh, its like shes my child isnt it?? But she doesn seem to care and her tail wags happily immediately after the scene and on the journey back home whereas my heart is beating crazily and I am worrying about the potential my dog has to start dangerous trouble!!

My also post also metions what happened on our walk yesterday when Katie was bitten after chasing after another dogs ball when it was thrown! Its like she has no dog ettiquette!!
Katie rarely now gets the opportunity to socialise with other dogs. If she is off the lead, we are always looking out for other dogs and when we see one, she is put straight on the lead. That initially was only because we couldnt get her back if she saw the dog as she would bound towards the dog and they d play chase forever!!

Only approximately a year and a half ago though, Katie had loads of dog friends at our old home. Once, she was socialising happily with about 10 dogs all on the field at the same time. Think she thought all her Christmas' had come at once! Though even then she would charge over for another dog's ball, but backed down a lot quicker back then! She also had regular doggy friends that she would happily play chase with. Now she has no one......putting it like that now, I feel a bit sorry for her!

Sorry, this is a bit long winded, just trying to give the right amount of information so I can get more valuable advice!

I definitely think I will get her a thorough health check at the vets and if all that is fine (which I really hope it is!), then I will hunt for a dog trainer!

Thanks all x

What a shame your not nearer I'd gladly walk our older dog with you, I am sure she'd love Reah.

I hope you can find a doggy friend.....if only once aweek. Keep us posted how you get on.

Think of a pack of dogs, dogs don't talk to one another, they use their nose, eyes, ears and body language to commuicate. The main organ of a dog is their nose, so when dogs are out for the hunt they use their noses to find the prey. When the prey is there the alpha takes over. How, by their chemical scent changing. The alpha will send this scent to the rest of the pack and all will instantly become aware. Then the alpha gets into position and with eye contact and body language to the other dogs, so do they. No sounds are ever made as this will scare the prey, and if the prey is lost the alpha will attack the weak link as now the pack will go hungry. The alpha will make the first confident move.

If a dog approaches the alpha or other members of the pack in an excitable manner, it is a sign of weak fear, that dog will do more damage to the pack. So they will either tell that member off or kill it. Thats survial.

You see the dog in the distance, your chemical scent changes, anxious, worry, Fear! With this in your mind you are putting the leash on with that message to your pack member. Your body language is changing, tightening up the leash, more fear. Because you are now the weak link, your dog rises to be the alpha, stress for you and the dog. The dog looks around to see what is triggering you off. It's that other dog, so the alpha warns off what she see's as the problem.

Now your shouting, no, your not...........your barking. Remember dogs don't talk. The alpha dog is in control and your the follower barking away backing her up! The other dogs goes away, she has been sucessful once again and protected her pack. She has done her job, what a good girl?

You were spot on when you talked of your OH, he's more relaxed, maybe he's a great big stropping lad who is strong therefore more confident. Let him take the leash and watch how he approachs other dogs, if you feel anxious, drop back and watch his body language. Now, lets help you.

You said you socialised with other dogs at your old home, did you take her to training classes then, you mentioned she has learnt all her commands. New home, new territory, no stimulation, no friends, just her pack for company, when one or the other is free.

Go to the park with open area's, use a 40-60 foot thin rope around her collar, tie a knot at the end, this is for you to stand on and have control of her actions as a distance. She cannot have any more freedom than the length of the rope.

When you see a dog coming.......go back to your training days......start playing with her, bring out a ball and get her to sit, heel, stay, recalls etc., etc. Make it fun, fun, fun for her and in time she will learn to look at you when a dog comes, hey is this playtime mummy? Use loads of praise using her name, don't ever use her name in punishment.

To begin with, to make you feel more comfortable and confident, introduce a muzzle to her in the house using treats. Give her a treat, loosely put it on her, give her a treat. Stop and do it again, again and again, throughout the day/s-week, the muzzle is now pleasureable. The muzzle, must only be used as a training aid and should be thrown out when the behaviour is gone, usually 4-8 weeks. So when you see the dogs coming, muzzle, relaxed and playful alpha, treat time when the muzzle comes off.

I do highly recommed that you get back into classes, start off with a stooge program to build your confidence being around other dogs, the muzzle will help you relax and when you see her body language and her happy go lucky self coming back being in amongst a pack, not only will you learn to trust her, you will trust yourself to be a packleader for Katie.
Hope this helps.

Hi

Sorry you are going through this, I have a fear aggressive Akita cross ( with a Belgian Shepherd we think) and know how you feel!

Where in Northumberland are you, I am too. I attend a class that has really helped and will help with aggression problems, one 2 one then in a class situation, PM me if you would like the details!

Ali