Should I correct my guy when snapping at other dogs?
Submitted by BullyLove77 on September 12, 2011 - 1:43pmHello,
Our 4yr old Gunther started being snappy at other dogs about 2yrs old. I've written about this before, but it continues to happen. When he meets another dog on a walk, they smell eachother and Gunther snaps at him/her and lunges at them. I don't know if he would ever bite, but we don't ever let him get close enough to let it happen once he starts snapping. He cannot be trusted to "visit" with other dogs anymore. From puppy to 2.5 he NEVER snapped at a dog.
No problem ever with people.
Question. When he snaps at other dogs, for no apparent reason and is being the instigator, what should be do? Should we correct him and how?
We've had a behaviourist see him and she thought he felt he was too good for other dogs and thought they were all pests. He hates when they get in his face...Is it wrong to "try" to make him get along? Should we just accept it? My husband says we need to socialize him more, but how do you do it now, when he is like that?
Gunther's Blog: www.guntherthebulldog.com
I think Gunther has been very patient with you
he's told you on several occasions that he doesn't need nor does he want to socialize with other dogs. That's O.K.. I would suggest not allowing any of the interactions to occur. If the other dog owners insist, explain politely that your dog doesnt like other dogs or tell them he has a contagious disease, that usually backs them away.
Long before Gunther snaps at the other dogs, his body language has told them to go away. Either the other dog isn't respecting that or because the dogs are kept in close proximity by leashes, his snapping is a nice fair warning, don't punish/correct him. He is simply talking dog.
Good luck
Lynn King CPDT-KA
I guess we should just accept it...
Thanks Lynn. We can definately accept it. He is not an agressive dog in the sense he will only try to start something if the dog is right in front of him. If there is a dog making a ruckus far away, he could care less and goes on with his business. I think it's the people he wants to see, and sometimes theres a dog there!
I guess we just try to get him to like them, since he used to. I guess he is just a people dog. Why do you think he started doing that? Is it normal for dogs to not like other dogs?
Gunther's Blog: www.guntherthebulldog.com
I think as they mature, they lose their playfulness
their curiosity. Kinda like humans. When we are young, we have tons of friends and make friends easily, but when we get older, we party a lot less and keep just a few close friends. Gunther just doesn't want to be bothered with them. Being a people dog is just fine. He sounds perfectly normal to me and he is communicating beautifully, be very happy about that.
Lynn King CPDT-KA
Thank you..
You did make me feel a little bit better about it all! :)
Gunther's Blog: www.guntherthebulldog.com
Quincy doesn't like any dog bigger then him
I just tell people he is iffy with other dogs and they stay clear. He loves people and people watching.
Sounds like my Gunther!
He's just like that!
Gunther's Blog: www.guntherthebulldog.com
lynn a contagious diease hahahahah
i couldnt stop laughing i spit my coffe out.....but you know what..i have a a..hole friend who has a hyper lab thats comes over once in a while and just wont stop.....and i am so hyper about my crew getting over worked....the next time she calls i swear i am going to say the have a contagious condition!!!!!!!!!
It works every time.
some owners insist that their dog needs to meet and greet every dog, "he just loves other dogs", well mine don't. So, I lie and tell them they have something contagious. Watch the owners, it's funny how fast they move away, like you just told them that your dog is radioactive.
Lynn King CPDT-KA
lynn i cant stop laughing...
i can just picture the dog park emptying out.....hahahahahahaha that is such a hoot!!!!!!!!!!