My puppy is not social with other dogs at all, will classes help!!

my 5mnth old bullmastiff is great and gets on fine with people kids and my little staffy. but when we go out she is growling and showing signs of aggression with other dogs. will classes help!!!

Does this happen both on lead and off lead?

When dogs are leashed, they tend to feel less safe and some dogs kick off when they then meet other dogs.

If your dog is fine off leash, then it could also be that he is frustrated when leashed as he can't engage in play with the other dogs he meets.

How much contact with other dogs does your puppy have? Is it only the occasional dog that he encounters? If that is the case, then it may be uncertainty/fear and lack of socialisation. A good training class may well help.


If it is happening when he is off leash also though, then I would recommend contacting an experienced trainer to come and make an assessment and help you with some strategies.

thanks, will try off lead tonight, but when i see another dog i usually just put her back on lead....and yes she only plays with my other dog, he a little staff and they get on great. but he fine with other dogs.

It sounds to me as if it is a fear reaction caused by lack of socialisation during the key period; in which case, Yes, a positive reward based training class will help.

It can help because your puppy will be in the same class as others and focusing on you rewarding him for good behaviour; thus in turn creating a positive experience around other dogs.

I would go along to a few classes by yourself and just watch and see if you like the methods they use and if it is a positive environment you would like to bring your puppy into.

What "aggression" is she showing?

To be honest if you have not socialized her at all with other dogs until now, it may be a case of "too little too late" as all their critical socialization periods occur in the their first several months of life. Putting her on lead every time you see another dog is unnecessary if the other dog is also off lead. Young dogs need quality interaction with other dogs outside of their home environment if they are to develop normally socially (a quick 2 second sniff with both dogs on lead does not count ).

DEFINITELY get her meeting other dogs are much as possible, preferably in a controlled environment at first so you are able to carefully monitor interactions. Speaking to a reputable trainer and/or behaviourist to help her may be a positive way forward.

Hi

This is something that should be seen as quite urgent. Dogs need to be socialised (in a good way) a lot, but not "over" socialised, which can cause them to be nervous and not like other dogs/people.

I would be pro active and seek out a good reward based training class but you would need to speak to the trainer and explain that your dog hasn't been socialised very well to other dogs. This will only be part of the step, so you do need to understand what to do and how to help your dog.

Just wondering why your dog gets put on a lead when other dogs approach? Only sometimes that can cause problems, also the dog can think you are worried, and so on...

Always breathe out. Dogs can hear us breathe in, and for them, it's a prelude to a bark. So if another dog is approaching, do not hold your breath - be as relaxed as you can. But whatever you do, don't wait for professional help.

This may be of some help:

http://www.apdt.co.uk/documents/Socialisation.pdf

http://www.dogbehaviour.com/articles...ialisation.htm

http://kind4k9.com/website%20Socialisation.pdf

If you see no improvement within a week or so, I'd consider getting in a behaviourist. I know that may sound drastic, but you will have this dog for the next (however many years) and it would be money well spent to make sure you are doing the very best you can at this moment in time.

If of course your dog has been socialised well with other dogs (not just the same few) then the problem may be something else, and again I'd get in a reputable professional who uses reward methods and who is up to date with behaviour.

best wishes
Wys
x

Great post!

Hi, look for a class that specifically runs puppy socialisation classes or a 1:1 trainer that does it, often the best dogs to socialise pups such as yours with are older dogs who are polite and know how to communicate their feelings in an non threatening way to your pup.

There is no such thing as "over socialisation" there is poor/bad/inappropriate socialisation but you cannot over socialise a dog!

Also breathing in is NOT a prelude to a bark (otherwise every dog owning human who inhaled would have a dog that was constantly barking)!

In order to live most of use have to inspirate and expirate!

And of course just as dogs can hear us breathe in, they can hear us breathe out!

So no need to get nervous about breating!

Look for training classes/trainers who know how to introduce dogs to other dogs in an appropriate environment and manner, which for many, will be outdoors.

Good luck!

But you know what I meant SB
Pups who are a bit shy being made to allow pats on the head, that sort of thing. I call it "over" socialisation as I think that makes sense - each to their own though.

I was at a BAT seminar with Grisha Stewart on Wednesday and she discussed this then. It's the context that is important!

If you are handling a dog who is nervous or who lunges, they do respond to your holding your breath/breathing in. I agree with Grisha on this one.

People should not get nervous about breathing , but they should be aware of what they are "saying" to their dog and what their dog is reading from them...

Wys
x

do it do it do it. I have a bullmastiff and shes 5 now and throws a fit at the sight of another dog - it excitment not aggression but i wont let her meet a dog that way. Its so hard keeping your cool and under control with 10 stone have a wobbler at the end of the lead. Really i would do something now why you can. Classes, reward training ect do it all - i wish i had