Issue While Out On Walks

[Georgia'sMum]

I'm hoping someone has some suggestions for me. When I take Georgia for a walk there is one particular house we walk past sometimes, its on a corner with a big high fence and what sounds like a big dog lives there. Everytime we approach the corner Georgia is nearly ripping my arm out trying to get there, its pure excitement from her. Then when we get closer she will lunge at the fence and make a racket barking at this dog. As we get further past the house you should see the cocky look on her face, completely full of herself for telling the big dog off.

I do my best to stay calm and relaxed, but its not easy. I think Georgia is the one setting the other dog off, and of course once he gives his big roaring bark, the whole street gets started.

I think I need to find a way to get her to focus on me, which so far I've had no success with. She turns completely deaf when she's in the vicinity. I've walked on the opposite side of the road and she doesn't react at all. I know the easist way to fix it is to avoid the street, but I want her to learn that I'm the leader and I can walk where I want to, and she needs to get over it.

Suggestions anyone? I've deliberately been walking past this house trying to desensitise her but its not working.

 

[Caro]

I have a similar problem with a dog in a corner yard near me. And as someone who has dogs walking past my back fence its a real peeve of mine when people allow their dogs to stir up mine. Not only is it distressing for my dogs but it causes huge problems with my neighbours. The poor dog in the corner house has now gone and I am pretty sure they gave him up because of the barking. I wish more people were concerned as you about the behaviour of their dogs.

As for solving the problem. I have used a few tactics for the house on the corner and nowadays I still do short leash, wide berth and walk fast when we pass. Don't try to desensitise her - she is in a heightened state of arousal and walking past all the time is just going to put her into that state again and again. Also don't give her treats to get her to focus on you as you will be treating the aroused state which will just reaffirm that state rather than calming her down.

You are doing the right thing by crossing the road - and you are better off introducing training methods from that side where she is a little calmer. That is what I did and it made an immense difference. To start with, any time she starts with the barking turn and walk briskly in the other direction without saying a word. It lets you tell her you are taking charge and you are not tolerating the behaviour - it starts to become less fun when everytime she barks she gets marched off. When she starts showing signs of improvement you can try a couple of things. I do a close heel so mine are concentrating on me, and also with a short leash they realise I mean business.

 

[Georgia'sMum]

Hi Caro, what you're saying makes sense. I also asked the same question on another doggy forum I'm a member of and I've received some rave reviews about a book written by Leslie McDevitt, which is aimed exactly at dogs like Georgia. Just reading about the book has me excited because I think it will help me get this behaviour under control. I found my local library has it, so I'll be able to get it next week.

Here's the link, it might help someone else.
http://controlunleashed.net/book.html

 

[Toffee's Mom]

The books is one of our favourites here.. Control unleashed should be a staple for a lot of people, lol

I agree, desensitizing her will probably just make it worse and worse, work you up, the other dog and her...
But setting your criteria up ahead of time when you do have her attention is a good idea. For example always make yourself more interesting than ANYTHING else in the world... which for some includes a cooking spoon with peanut butter smeared on it... lol. For me it is also the ball in my pocket and treats... So I get a very good recall even in those situations... because I have proven in the past that the reward for coming to me is pretty darn high... mind you it makes it harder to send the dog out when I do agility, hahaha

 

[MavRyder]

I have a similar problem with a dog in a corner yard near me. And as someone who has dogs walking past my back fence its a real peeve of mine when people allow their dogs to stir up mine. Not only is it distressing for my dogs but it causes huge problems with my neighbours. The poor dog in the corner house has now gone and I am pretty sure they gave him up because of the barking. I wish more people were concerned as you about the behaviour of their dogs.

As for solving the problem. I have used a few tactics for the house on the corner and nowadays I still do short leash, wide berth and walk fast when we pass. Don't try to desensitise her - she is in a heightened state of arousal and walking past all the time is just going to put her into that state again and again. Also don't give her treats to get her to focus on you as you will be treating the aroused state which will just reaffirm that state rather than calming her down.

You are doing the right thing by crossing the road - and you are better off introducing training methods from that side where she is a little calmer. That is what I did and it made an immense difference. To start with, any time she starts with the barking turn and walk briskly in the other direction without saying a word. It lets you tell her you are taking charge and you are not tolerating the behaviour - it starts to become less fun when everytime she barks she gets marched off. When she starts showing signs of improvement you can try a couple of things. I do a close heel so mine are concentrating on me, and also with a short leash they realise I mean business.

This sounds like really good advice. I have tried the treat luring and he ignores me. I am walking two dogs. Maverick my older one whom does not react to other dogs. Yet since getting Ryder he now does on occasion. Ryder goes nuts over both hearing and seeing dogs. Out of control nuts!! I use a haltie with him because he is a big puller. I dont like to walk dogs seperately as in -30 weather I have a hard enough time doing it once.

 

[Bellesmom]

I have a similar problem with a dog in a corner yard near me. And as someone who has dogs walking past my back fence its a real peeve of mine when people allow their dogs to stir up mine. Not only is it distressing for my dogs but it causes huge problems with my neighbours. The poor dog in the corner house has now gone and I am pretty sure they gave him up because of the barking. I wish more people were concerned as you about the behaviour of their dogs.

As for solving the problem. I have used a few tactics for the house on the corner and nowadays I still do short leash, wide berth and walk fast when we pass. Don't try to desensitise her - she is in a heightened state of arousal and walking past all the time is just going to put her into that state again and again. Also don't give her treats to get her to focus on you as you will be treating the aroused state which will just reaffirm that state rather than calming her down.

You are doing the right thing by crossing the road - and you are better off introducing training methods from that side where she is a little calmer. That is what I did and it made an immense difference. To start with, any time she starts with the barking turn and walk briskly in the other direction without saying a word. It lets you tell her you are taking charge and you are not tolerating the behaviour - it starts to become less fun when everytime she barks she gets marched off. When she starts showing signs of improvement you can try a couple of things. I do a close heel so mine are concentrating on me, and also with a short leash they realise I mean business.

I think that this is very good advice.

 

[Pal's Mom]

Great advice, I have a similar problem with my Paladin, we are across the street and Pal will still bark like a loony tune. I keep walking like I do not know he is acting like a nut. At this time Maverick is not paying attention to any of it, he will be looking for something to pick up and chew on. It has gotten somewhat better now that I have switched to the Martingale collars. Pal will not pull like nuts. I did notice it is getting less and less.

Donna