Any Help With Snapping

[tracylola]

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Hi i'm abit of a lurker but love reading about your whippys, i seem to be having a problem with my whippet snapping at other dogs, i thought thay were suppose to be good with other dogs, last week lurcher came over both dogs on loose leads, the lurcher came over very gentle dog, sniffed my dog slowly and she snapped at it, she seems to not want any dog to approach her, she also wee's ans sometimes poo's if someone lets a dog that is very forward near her or even walk past her she will wee on her tail, when it happened with the lurcher i told her no, but im not sure what i should be doing at that moment, there is a dog training class near me but it gets really busy and she would prob just poo and wee herself, she is 7 and a half month old, she eats green tripe and beef mince, chicken wings and sometimes royal canin, i would be greatful of any help, oh she has a very good recall, but stays round my legs if another dog comes by, she has sometimes done 1 bark at them, she has never played with any dog she has met, sorry its so long just wanted to give as much detail as poss, thanks.

 

[eve]

It sounds like your whippet is behaving the way she does out of real fear. Poor wee girl, it sounds as if she is terriffied

Puppies need to be socailzed with other dogs from an early age to avoid this kind of fear. At the age she is now, I would get her booked into socialization class as soon as possible. It does not matter it she has some accidents at first, it matters that she is a happy well adjusted dog .

If you can find someone or some friends that have a quiet dog that you can walk with everyday, this will help her along the way. At first she may be fearful and snap but you need to ignore her behaving like this and do not emphasize or encourace her behaviour by comforting her.

My 6 year old rescure behaved in the same way when she came to me. She was 4 at the time and her fear agression towards other dogs was very deep rooted. She has improved a great deal but I wish I had her when she was younger like your pup before the lasting damage was done.

Hope this helps. I am sure others with more experience will add better detail to this advice.

 

[TTT]

Yes indeed, it sounds like she needs socialised :thumbsup: Go watch the dog training class to see what goes on, have a word with the organisers and see what they suggest and do it soon - your dog has so much to gain by being more confident :luck:

 

[FeeFee]

She does sound very scared, has she always been like this with other dogs or is this a new behaviour? Has anything happened that might have triggered it?

Ideally she needs some gentle, unpressured socialisation. An understanding training class would be good as suggested, but also do you have any friends with friendly dogs that you could walk with? Start with both dogs on lead and keep them a couple of yards apart, then gradually get closer as she gets used to the other dog and starts to relax. Take it in baby steps and don't rush her into a situation where she feels she has to snap. Lots of praise and treats in the presence of other dogs can help to build up positive associations.

She is still very young, dogs can go through a 'second fear stage' at about this age, so it's important to tackle it positively now before it become a habitual behaviour.

Good luck, I hope things improve for her :luck:

 

[tracylola]

Thankyou for all replys, the problem is where i walk her there is only the odd person with a dog and most of them come rushing up to her making her wee herself, while the owners are saying its ok mines friendly, i do tell them shes scared but thay still dont bother, i dont drive or i would take her away from my area to walk her, it would be easier if other people had control of there dogs i dont think she would be half as bad, i dont have any friends with dogs, do you not think training classes would send her out if she pooped and weed everytime a dog looked at her?, i dont mind but would thay.

thanks tracy.

 

[Louise_Simon]

I have a whippet that is not keen on dogs coming towards him or even looking at him, he gets all shouty and air snaps if they get too close. He goes to agility classes, to start with he was snappish if another dog came near him but after a few weeks he got used to the ones in his class and now only gets defensive if a new dog is there. He is now better on walks. As a pup he went to puppy classes and was well socialised mixing with lots of dogs and situations and he lives with 2 other whippets.

Find a lovely trainer who will help you both overcome this :luck:

 

[eve]

Thankyou for all replys, the problem is where i walk her there is only the odd person with a dog and most of them come rushing up to her making her wee herself, while the owners are saying its ok mines friendly, i do tell them shes scared but thay still dont bother, i dont drive or i would take her away from my area to walk her, it would be easier if other people had control of there dogs i dont think she would be half as bad, i dont have any friends with dogs, do you not think training classes would send her out if she pooped and weed everytime a dog looked at her?, i dont mind but would thay.
thanks tracy.

No decent responsible trainer would ask you to leave a class because your dog soiled itself in fear. If your dog is assessed as having a serious problem it may be that a trainer might suggest a few private sessions to start with. You do need to do something about this. It is not fair on your poor dog living a life of fear where walks are no fun. If you do not address the problem while it is still young your dog is going to live a life full of fear and probably get worse.

You should tell the owners to keep their dogs away from your dogl for the time being. If they will not listen, tell them it has kennel cough (they will listen fast enough then!) My advice is to seek professional help as soon as possible before this becomes a lifelong problem.

 

[FeeFee]

Do you mind posting whereabouts you are? Someone might be able to recommend a good trainer in your area.

 

[Dr B]

My rescue whippet, Hector, suffers from fear aggression too, especially if the dog approaching him is very bouncy. When I fist had him I muzzled him if he was off lead but that was for my benefit rather than his. I took advice from a dog behaviourist and switched from using a halti and collar to a body harness. I have to say I was a little dubious when it was suggested but it works. Hector was picking up on my anxiety about his fear aggression and it was making him worse.

He is much better now - not perfect but better! I just reassure him that they are not going to hurt him and stroke him whilst the other dog approaches and it seems to be working. When we are out I try to let him mix with as many different dogs as possible too.

He is a work in progress but he is doing so well.

Hope my witterings help. Good luck! x