My dog doesn't like other dogs.

Hi got back from dog training earlier tonight, I have the worse dog there, he snaps at other dogs. He's a Chihuahua the last thing I wanted was a snappy Chi. He just hates to be around other dogs for some reason, Nobody in the family has a dog so there's none around for him to mix with. When we're on a walk the park we go to dogs are usually on leads so he sees them but has never got a chance to play around with them.
He's great in the house, doesn't go on furniture knows his place ect he just has issues with other dogs. Should I keep going to dog training or give it up as a bad job? I do try but he's going to be a year old in two weeks and I just don't seem to have got anywhere. Is the hour of seeing a few dogs a week enough or am I waisting my time with him. I feel so useless, when we have a bad session like tonight I feel it's my fault. He's a very loving dog and loves it when people come to the house ect. I just feel things are never going to be great with his dislike of other dogs. Any input would be great at this moment, I'm just feeling so negative about him.

Sorry you are feeling down by tonight

What does your trainer say??
I wouldnt worry about being the best or the worst in the class - its more about understanding your dog and seeing what things improve him or not

If you think your trainer is any good then ask them what they think and why he is snapping. Without seeing him its impossible to say on here but it is likely he is scared of the other dogs and isnt sure how to react around them.

Its really sad that you havent made any doggy friends on your walks - once I got my dog I got to know so many people
I am sure it would help him if he had some doggy friends

Can I ask when is he snapping?? Is he working with you in class at all or is he distracted all the time? Does he growl or lunge? make eye contact with the dogs?

I know how hard it can be when you just dont know what is going on in their little heads but I think it is great that you are trying to help him

He growls ,lunges and snaps all at the same time. It's like the typical snappy Chi people go on about. Deep down I think it's nervous aggression the trainer thinks a water pistol may help to give him a jump as other dogs pass. I'm not sure if that'd make him worse but willing to give it a try. My bf and myself usually walk him round the block or in the park I guess people don't want to play goosberry!

Hi

Pleased on't gie up trying to train your boy He sound sloely to be honest

Ho wlong hae you been attending training with hi? And how uh pratie do you do at hoe with hi?

I think it's iportant to ake sure that when training he fouses on you and not dogs or other distrations around hi He ust learn that he ust follow your instrution

In between training lasses do you pratie at hoe with hin?

Is he any different if he's off lead? Soeties a dog will reat ery differently to other dogs if allowed to say hello on their ters and not being restrited by a lead

Is there any way you ould eet up with neighbours or friends who hae dogs to proeprly guage his reations? As stated it's diffiult to know hwo to help without seeing hi around other dogs

aybe you ould speak with your trainer and also other dog owners at the training group? SOeone ay be able to offer you soe deent tips and ay een offer to walk with you

Laura

I don't think squirting a water pistol at your dog will help at all

One of my dogs doesn't like other dogs, and she is 5 1/2 years old.
We started a training class in April, and after 3 weeks (thats 1 hour a week), she no longer needed a muzzle, and pretty much ignores all the other dogs now, unless they startle her - but once I get her attention, she calms down.

Training is an on-going thing - a lot of people stop once their dogs are no longer puppies, but you need to keep it up - it's not only great for the dog as it socialises them, its great for you too!
You might make 'doggy' friends!

What did you 'learn' at your training class?
One of the best things I have learnt for a reactive/agressive dog is the 'watch me' command.
When I see something my dog doesn't like, or when another dog starts barking, I ask her for the watch me command - it took a while to do, but it really works, and stops her from getting wound up.

Keep at it, and i'm sure it will improve with time

I`d change your training class TBH. Chucking water as a small dog is only going to teach it that people are not to be trusted.
The easiest way I find to teach dogs how to behave round others is to walk them with a friend with calm dogs. Not only do they benefit from the company, they learn from the other dogs` behaviour.
BTW dogs behave totally diffently (to other dogs) when on and off lead. If on lead a dog can`t use the usual series of signals, distance body language that an off-lead dog would. Additionally, the dog can`t maintain a polite distance - or run away if necessary. I would be letting your dog keep a longer distance from approaching dogs, and reward when calm. Don`t force it.

I have to say I am not sure about the water pistol idea. He is only a wee little man and he is out of his comfort zone around other dogs (especially when some look like giants to him), I would wonder if you could find someone to walk with you with their dogs so it is less about stopping and waiting for the confontation instead just making it about dogs being near but the walk is the focus instead.
Just an idea, maybe a change of tactics is needed.

I know how you feel - my dog Anubis isn't great with other dogs either (he is also a big strong 7 month old pup with a lot of gowing left to do - he's 38kg already!). What we have found at training is the watch me command and distracting him when other dogs come close. Once we have his attention 100 dogs could walk past and he won't take any notice of them.

I'd like to thank all you guys for giving me hope, and not to give in I felt so down last night, but I'm going to carry on if need be change trainers. Like I say he's a doll in the house he's great with people one of our neighbours had a conservatory fitted today he never barked at the workmen he wasn't bothered by the power tools they were using either.
To answer some questions:
I've been training with him for around 5 months perhaps less as we were away for 3 weeks.
He's going to be a year old in 2 weeks.
None of my neighbours, friends or relatives have dogs which makes things more tough.
Again thanx for your input.

I would deff change classes - If you feel your dog is nervous then you are prob right

Mia is reactive and does the lunge snap and scream at other dogs
In class we were alowed to sit away in the far corner and for the first week I just stayed there and gave her treats for being calm
We slowly built up till we could interact more with the class

Its a shame you dont have any doggy friends who could help, how about other people in the training class?