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Azz
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Location: South Wales, UK
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Male 
 
10-04-2011, 09:45 PM

Dominant female Husky

Just fishing for thoughts really.

One of my neighbours has a two year old female Husky (spayed) and I thought we'd call her and her owner over to see if she wanted to play with Rocky.

Me and Rocky went up the path to meet her (so Rocky knew she was being invited in) she growled (but we just carried on to the garden). She was very dominant - tail firmly up in the air and very uninterested in Rocky, soon as they got close (both on leads) she would growl or bark quite viciously (Rocky reciprocated). Rocky was wagging his tale though and I could tell he just wanted to play with her - but her tail stayed up all the time and she really wasn't having any of it.

The owner said she's usually ok with big dogs or males, it's just the small dogs she's not fussed on. I could see she was very dominant throughout.

Anyway, just wondered if any of you had any thoughts or similar experiences?
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MerlinsMum
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10-04-2011, 10:04 PM
She's just asserting herself, perhaps she's not as confident as you think.

You wouldn't have believed the first meeting between Rue and Merlin a few weeks ago, on lead in the park, they looked like they were threatening all kinds of bloodshed to one another.

I know him though and he's full of puff because he's really very nervous around other dogs, but I've learned that given sensible humans on the end of the lead and a keen eye on the behaviour and body language he will, in time, relax and chill out.

8 weeks down the line with careful and controlled meetings, and they are happy in one another's company - if they do have a spat it's loads of scary noise and teeth flying, but lasts only a few seconds and the only damage is a bit of saliva on each other's necks.

If you really do want them to get on then have lots more more meetings, walks on lead together - with distance if needed - show the dogs that the humans are relaxed and confident as well.

I'm sure others will be along with more input, I'm learning too at this stage but can't be better pleased at how it's panning out so far - not best buddies but two dogs who are slowly being very comfortable in each other's space, no jealousy and no real animosity, tolerance is plenty!
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Ben Mcfuzzylugs
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10-04-2011, 10:25 PM
agree with MM

All the things you say could just mean pretty insecure

Were you guys comming down the path right at her? Mia would have done the exact same thing - espech if both of them were on lead as well
You could possibly try meeting in a more open place and walking parralell or in a slow loop?
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Tupacs2legs
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10-04-2011, 10:33 PM
alot of husky bitches can seem full on..they like to be boss.... lots of bluster and posturing..generally if the other dog backs down they can become great friends ime.
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ClaireandDaisy
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11-04-2011, 08:21 AM
The fact she doesn`t chance starting something with big dogs but will bully small ones leads me to suspect she`s a wuss at heart.
Timid dogs need more socialisation, not less. I would suggest to the owner that she walks with calm dogs more?

eta - I have had a truly `dominant` (in the true sense of arrogant, thought she was boss) bitch - she had hormone problems, I think. And she never postured or barked at other dogs. She would simply strut up to them, and if they weren`t quick enough in deferring to her, slap them down. There was no `aggression` as such. Dogs who shout a lot are generally frightened IME.
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wilbar
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11-04-2011, 08:51 AM
I've always found that for first time introductions, it seems to work far better on neutral ground, rather than in the house or garden of one of the dogs. If they get on together out & about on walks, get to know each other in various other "neutral" places, then the chances of them being happy to visit each other on their own territory, is much higher.

I'm sure Rocky is a lovely dog & happy to have visitors to his garden, but you can never be sure how the other dog will be, bearing in mind that Rocky's garden will be full of Rocky's smells, marking it as his home & his territory. Perhaps it can put some of the more sensitive types on the defensive, perhaps some of the more confident types will be more assertive?

I also prefer dogs to meet off lead (if possible & safe) in a safe area, or at least to ensure that leads stay loose while they greet each other. Tight leads can lead to distorted body language & things can kick off by mistake if one or both dogs get the wrong end of the stick.
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smokeybear
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11-04-2011, 09:31 AM
She was very dominant - tail firmly up in the air

This is not a sign of dominance, it is a sign of apprehension eg the dog is in a state of readiness to:

fight
flight
freeze
fart about

so it is on the starting block if you like.

The other thing to remember is that some dogs have tails that are always raised, or, due to their conformation, less than "ideal" according to the breed standard!

All my dogs for example have always been able to receive the World Service on their tails, had they been fited with an antenna!

As Wilbar says, I am not really a fan of dogs meeting on leads, they cannot choose their body posture (handler holds head up), whether to approach or retreat, different levels of skill with handlers etc.

A dog invading another dog's space (especially on lead) will generally end up with the other saying you are making me feel uncomfortable (see He only wants to say Hi, Flying Dog Press, Free Articles, by Suzanne Clothier)

When I am assessing dogs for breed rescue, I go out with the owner(s) side by side (ish) with my dog, I can soon tell if there is an issue.

when we get to a field, I let mine off and then 30 seconds later I get them to let theirs off; it never ceases to amaze me how gobsmacked the owners are re the ACTUAL make up of their dog v the PERCEIVED character. (Obviously if I feel that this is not a good idea, we do not do it; often for example owners have no control so to let their dog off would mean it might not come back)!
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Azz
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11-04-2011, 01:23 PM
Thanks guys. I think the dog is already seeing a behaviourist - I didn't want to pry so don't know what for. I know they don't walk her on the normal paths around here and go to the top of the mountain where there's no sheep (she runs off/after them).

I'm pretty sure Rocky was welcoming as that's what I picked up from his body language, the other neighbours dog comes over all the time and he's never been awkward with her.

I think you guys may be right that she's insecure, I'm not sure if we'll continue trying to get them to socialise - I thought it would be nice for their dog tbh, as I know she doesn't get so much socialisation due to being walked in specific areas only.
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Wysiwyg
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12-04-2011, 03:02 PM
Maybe you could go for walks with her, on lead if at all unsure, and gradually get them used to each other?

Walk side by side but with lots of space and owners in between dogs at first. Later you could try with one owner on the other side of their dog (so that it's L-R dog, owner, dog, owner, rather than previously L-R dog, owner, owner, dog. Later, after a few walks, it may be possible to do L-R owner, dog, dog, owner....)
Does that make any sense?

And use lots of food to condition good associations.

Wys
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