A little advice please

Sharon · Post by **Sharon** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 10:46 pm

We are in need of a little bit of advice, Samson is great on and off the lead except when another dog approaches him, he is fine initially but when the usual doggy sniffing and greeting begins he starts to bristle and then attacks and goes to bite the other dog at the neck. If he is off the lead he will go after the other dog and if on the lead he will stop when told no, but his stance is still aggresive.

It is not every dog that he does this to and it doesn't seem to make a difference if it is a dog or bitch, (it has happened so far with 2 dogs and 1 bitch)

This is really out of character as in all other situations he is calm and passive.

We are exercising a little caution at the moment by keeping him on the lead when we know other dogs are present.

Does anyone have any advice as to how best to handle this situation and help him to be more relaxed around other dogs.

Post by **janrobinson** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 11:16 pm

I am not good at dog training but I would not let it get to the sniffing at each other stage. No running off the lead until you know he is better. Prevention is better than cure.

Although it has to be said that a dog in a new home sometimes feels that, even though he seems to have settled, he has to look out for himself and no one is going to protect him. This happens quite often.

I am sure someone will be along to help you more

Ellas mum · Post by **Ellas mum** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 11:34 pm

Hi Sharon,
Sometimes if we don't know very much about their backgrounds, it can be difficult. It sounds as though he may be being very protective towards you. We find this to be so with Ella. She sits in the window by the front door and will bark and grumble at anyone who goes past that she does'nt know. In the time she has been with us, she has learned to trust more and more, and Samson will need to learn to trust you and believe that this is his home and it's where he's going to stay, and not feel threatend.
I'm sure more of us will be along with other suggestions.

Lots of luck

Post by **labres1** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 11:38 pm

it would be worth registering on the forum of lab rescue - www.homealabrador.net -

post a message asking for advice from john - he is a fantastic gun dog trainer and will offer you lots of advice - give him all the details - how long have you had the dog, when did the problem start etc - imagine that you are his eyes and tell him everything in as much detail as possible -

he has helped us with two difficult situations

Ian

hairydog · Post by **hairydog** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 7:09 pm

He could be protecting you, and sometimes we humans can pass down the lead tension without even knowing it, when you sense a dog coming he ,thinks "here we go again"...ignore the other dog keep on walking, walk with head held high and act as if nothing is there, hard I know.

Dogs need a leader otherwise they will take over.In our village we have a couple of dogs that my two dont like a white poodle, (which had a go at Paddy wehn he was 4 months old) and a Jack Russell, when they come towards us, I carry on walking, ignore the dogs, my two then sense that its nothing to worry about and walk behind me....

As mentioned register on www.homealabrador.net, John may give you more advise...

Sharon · Post by **Sharon** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 8:55 pm

Thank you for all your helpful comments - we have tried to log onto lab rescue but had a technical problem so will try again tommorrow and post a message for John.

We are keeping Samson on his lead and away from other dogs as yesterday we had a further incident where he attacked another retriever who had to go to the vets with a punctured ear. Fortunately the other retriever owner was very understanding and accepted our offer of paying the vets bill.

It is very difficult when out walking him as even on the lead other dog owners will come over to chat and we are having to ask them to stay away but not all understand and think that it will be okay because he is a retriever and still bring their dog over.

What is the general opinion on muzzles?

Post by **labres1** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:33 pm

pm me your details - name, email and the username you want and i'll set your acount up if you still have problems

John · Post by **John** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:04 pm

Hi Sharon, just to let you know I've seen this thread and will be back later in the day.

Regards, John

John · Post by **John** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 5:45 pm

Hi again Sharon, can I ask you a few questions please. Remember, as Ian said, I cannot see the problem so you must be my eyes. Try to answer fully and add any other details you think might help. You see, a behavioural problem may come from a number of different directions and the trick is to try to find the root cause. So:-

1/ How old is Sampson?

2/ How long have you had him?

3/ Is he the same with every dog?

4/ If the answer to 3 is no then the question has to be, What is the trigger? Why some but not others. Is there anything in the other dog’s behaviour which could be triggering it?

5/ Think about your own reaction when you meet other dogs. Are you confident you can handle anything? Or maybe a bit apprehensive? Are you naturally bold around other dogs? (Thinking about my sister here. She always wanted a dog although she was always a little scared of them. She was fine with my old boy when we were children because she knew and trusted him, but to this day she is still nervy around them, but had a Border Collie for years and now she’s no longer around still wants another.

Think about these questions carefully before you answer. Particularly 4 and 5.

Regards, John

Sharon · Post by **Sharon** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 9:57 pm

Ed Ghost Ropy · Post by **Ed Ghost Ropy** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:42 pm

It's a shame it can't go off-lead anymore, they love that. is there anywhere you could go where they're arent many other dogs? or you could see them coming from far away so you can put the lead on before an encounter?

Fortunatley my dog Ropy is ok with other dogs but with other animals she is terrible, so far she has killed A sheep 2 swans and believe it or not a Horse....

I now keep her well away from any farm animals.

John · Post by **John** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 12:37 am

Not quite sure what Sharon's last post means. Have you got things sorted now? If you are still having problems please post again, you are not on your own.

Regards, John

Post by **janrobinson** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 11:15 am

Reading your post EdGhost Ropy about your dog killing sheep swans and a horse I think I would be very worried abouit what is next and about her temperament.

Sharon · Post by **Sharon** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 5:24 pm

Hi John

I have sent an email to you last week with all the information you requested - wondering if I sent it wrong!!!!

Will resend it to you again now via pm.

Sharon

John · Post by **John** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 12:34 am

Sorry Sharon, for some reason I never received the email, but I see the PM is here so I'll go and read it. I'll PM you later

Regards, John