Socialization

Good Karma · 11-13-2009, 01:05 PM

So Karma loves humans, and has been responsive to basic command training. She walks 3-4 miles a day. When we come across another dog on our walks she often has mixed reactions. She dosent seem to mind smaller medium sized dogs such as english bulldogs or frisbee type dogs. She will let them sniff her and be around her. But if we happen to come across a siberian husky or american bulldog (larger dogs) she starts to move toward them aggressively (not good). My ultimate goal would be to have her off the leash playing with all types of dogs. Whats the best way to go about this?

-Thanks

KeeperBoy · 11-13-2009, 01:49 PM

Ha she done group classes? You should get in touch with a behaviorist or trainer who specializes in aggression.

Setting goals for your dog is great, but it's important to realize that not everydog is the dog park type.

AussieGirl · 11-14-2009, 05:55 AM

I'm wondering if it may have something to do with her history in the puppy mill? But I do agree with KeeperBoy that a behaviorist or trainer with lots of experience with dog agression would be the way to go, they can come and observe her and give you lots of advice and help. I do not recommend using methods you may find on the internet or read in books when it comes to agression of any kind - you need someone knowledgable to actually observe and work with her.

boxingBabe · 11-14-2009, 07:15 AM

Have you tried taking her to an off leash dog park yet ? Because they act differently off leash then on leash . Try taking her when you see there's only 1 or 2 other dogs there to start so she doesn't get overwhelmed .

Good Karma · 11-14-2009, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxingBabe

Have you tried taking her to an off leash dog park yet ? Because they act differently off leash then on leash . Try taking her when you see there's only 1 or 2 other dogs there to start so she doesn't get overwhelmed .

I think I might need to do this, she does get overwhelmed by too many dogs easily. I wouldnt say that she has an aggression problem, but I am looking into classes for her.

bruinsBoxers · 11-14-2009, 02:58 PM

We had a guest speaker who is a behaviorist at one of our boxer club meetings . She spoke about many things but touched on socilization.

She said that the critical socialization period for dogs is 4-6 months , any time after that the dogs is not actually learning any new social behavior , they are just working with the experiences they have already had. That while it is possible to get a dog to accept / tolerate new behaviors at a older age they will never actually become more socialized through more exposure . And the dog is more likely to regress back to the unsocial bahavior .

That many people try and teach their dogs new social bahavior and in the end they just make some issues worse at it only confuses and makes the dog more leary of the situation it already does not like .

She suggested that if a dog does not respond to counter conditioning ( like rewading a dog for a good behavior when it does not respond with it's bad behavior ) then that dog will most likely not ever get over it's fear or problem and the owner should try and keep the dog out of the situation that it is having problems with .

Just another point of view.

KeeperBoy · 11-14-2009, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruinsBoxers

That many people try and teach their dogs new social bahavior and in the end they just make some issues worse at it only confuses and makes the dog more leary of the situation it already does not like .

She suggested that if a dog does not respond to counter conditioning ( like rewading a dog for a good behavior when it does not respond with it's bad behavior ) then that dog will most likely not ever get over it's fear or problem and the owner should try and keep the dog out of the situation that it is having problems with .

Just another point of view.

Part of me feels like that's a cop out, but really it is the bottom line in a lot of cases. Crowds make Keepers nervous, as well as a few other things. He has gotten tons better in normal situations (walks in the park, group dog class) but he will always be nervous at big events (we can take Boo to a huge art fair near our home in the summer, Keepers would hate it) and dog parks. We just keep him out of situations he can't handle. We've done tons of training and it has helped a lot, but it really does only get you so far... not to say you shouldn't try.

Good Karma · 11-15-2009, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeeperBoy

Part of me feels like that's a cop out, but really it is the bottom line in a lot of cases. Crowds make Keepers nervous, as well as a few other things. He has gotten tons better in normal situations (walks in the park, group dog class) but he will always be nervous at big events (we can take Boo to a huge art fair near our home in the summer, Keepers would hate it) and dog parks. We just keep him out of situations he can't handle. We've done tons of training and it has helped a lot, but it really does only get you so far... not to say you shouldn't try.

I agree, im still going to give it a shot. The whole move to my house was like being thrown in the deep end with new experiences. So I think once she starts going to classes with other dogs around I think she might respond better. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

nikita&memo · 11-15-2009, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Good Karma

I agree, im still going to give it a shot. The whole move to my house was like being thrown in the deep end with new experiences. So I think once she starts going to classes with other dogs around I think she might respond better. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

Yes, keep us posted! we did have a few issues with Nikita...one being she was leash reactive towards other dogs during walks (she's fine now, just some curiousty). i remember the trainer in obedience asking us to remove the leash with the other 17 dogs in the class...and i was like 'NO!!'... i thought she was going to attack or be attacked LOL ....well, his instinct was right...once we took the leash off...she gently, nicely was approaching the dogs...i couldn't believe it!

Good Karma · 11-16-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikita&memo

Yes, keep us posted! we did have a few issues with Nikita...one being she was leash reactive towards other dogs during walks (she's fine now, just some curiousty). i remember the trainer in obedience asking us to remove the leash with the other 17 dogs in the class...and i was like 'NO!!'... i thought she was going to attack or be attacked LOL ....well, his instinct was right...once we took the leash off...she gently, nicely was approaching the dogs...i couldn't believe it!

I really hope that happens when I take her