BC Puppy Around Dogs

[Eva1]

Join our free community today.

Connect with other like-minded dog lovers!

Login or Register

Hi,

I have a 4 and a half month old Border Collie puppy called Cleo. I’ve posted on here a couple times and get helpful responses so thought I’d do it again about another query I have.

Cleo is still young and she loves people and is very friendly towards people, almost too friendly lol takes me ages to get round the park she just wants to say hi to everyone haha, however when she meets other dogs her behaviour differs.

If a dog comes up to her she will have a sniff, and kinda suss the dog out if they get a bit playful or move around her she can start to growl and use her paws to almost get them away. This is when she is ON the lead, I sometimes pull her back a bit more as she is still nervous around dogs a little and tries to run behind me or in between my legs.

But when she is OFF the lead and a dog approaches she plays with them, they’ll chase one another and she’s absolutely fine, no growling or anything. She has a wee friend bailey who she plays with when we see them, they just play and chase one another and could do it for ages haha.

I’ve done some research and came across fear aggression and unsure if she is showing signs of that or not? Off the lead she is great but when on the lead she can growl and start to go towards them almost in what seems like and aggressive manner as she uses her paws in the air. I don’t know if it’s because she feels restricted on the lead like she can’t get away, as like I said she is still nervous around new dogs she meets at first.

I’ve also been told it could be a protective thing she does but I don’t know.

Any advice or help would be great as I don’t know if it she’s trying to play and she cant cause she’s on the lead or what as some dogs she’s fine with and runs around playing like normal but if a dog gets too close to her when she’s on the lead she doesn’t like it.

She meets dogs everyday on her two walks at the park and I’m aware she’s still young so maybe still needs time to get used to it all I’m not sure.

 

[JoanneF]

On lead, a dog can feel a little constricted and their body language is comprised.

It sounds like she definitely is giving signals that she is a bit nervous around these dogs, so please listen to her and don't force her to interact, in fact take her away so she learns you are paying attention to her.

I wouldn't work on getting her used to it, it really isn't necessary for dogs to meet and greet, any more than it would be appropriate to hug every random stranger in the supermarket. Great that she has a couple of friends but I'd want her to be mainly dog neutral, and focussed on me as the source of fun and good things on walks. That will make recall easier, coming back to you should be far better than faffing around with other dogs.

I'd also like to point you to this thread as her behaviour is something that could potentially escalate to reactivity if her ”give me space” signals are not heard.

Dog Reactivity

 

[Eva1]

On lead, a dog can feel a little constricted and their body language is comprised.

It sounds like she definitely is giving signals that she is a bit nervous around these dogs, so please listen to her and don't force her to interact, in fact take her away so she learns you are paying attention to her.

I wouldn't work on getting her used to it, it really isn't necessary for dogs to meet and greet, any more than it would be appropriate to hug every random stranger in the supermarket. Great that she has a couple of friends but I'd want her to be dog neutral, and focussed on me as the source of fun and good things on walks. That will make recall easier, coming back to you should be far better than faffing around with other dogs.

I'd also like to point you to this thread as her behaviour is something that could potentially escalate to reactivity if her ”give me space” signals are not heard.

Dog Reactivity

Okay I’ll definitely take this all on board just from what you’ve said and me thinking about the interactions she’s had I will definitely be removing her from situations where she gets nervous. I never force her around dogs to play etc, but if she becomes nervous I’ll listen. When she’s off the lead her recall is very good as we work on it a lot and she normally is very focused on us, doesn’t run up to dogs etc, is only when we pass other dogs or other dogs run up to us.

I’ll give that thread a look but thank you for your response. I’d much rather she was comfortable around dogs and neutral like you’ve said.

 

[Hemlock]

One small change that will greatly add to her comfort is to PUSH not PULL when you want to move her away from a potentially tricky situation.

We humans tend to pull the lead and drag the dog away. This leaves the dog in a vulnerable position with their protector behind them instead of in front and able to protect. But if you get between her and the other dog/thing she is concerned about, you can move her sideways by pressing your leg against her side. Then when she is far enough away from the trigger to relax, reward her. Thus she is always shielded by your body.

 

[JoanneF]

@Hemlock, may I add that to the reactive dog thread please?

 

[Finsky]

Hi,

I have a 4 and a half month old Border Collie puppy called Cleo. I’ve posted on here a couple times and get helpful responses so thought I’d do it again about another query I have.

Cleo is still young and she loves people and is very friendly towards people, almost too friendly lol takes me ages to get round the park she just wants to say hi to everyone haha, however when she meets other dogs her behaviour differs.

If a dog comes up to her she will have a sniff, and kinda suss the dog out if they get a bit playful or move around her she can start to growl and use her paws to almost get them away. This is when she is ON the lead, I sometimes pull her back a bit more as she is still nervous around dogs a little and tries to run behind me or in between my legs.

But when she is OFF the lead and a dog approaches she plays with them, they’ll chase one another and she’s absolutely fine, no growling or anything. She has a wee friend bailey who she plays with when we see them, they just play and chase one another and could do it for ages haha.

I’ve done some research and came across fear aggression and unsure if she is showing signs of that or not? Off the lead she is great but when on the lead she can growl and start to go towards them almost in what seems like and aggressive manner as she uses her paws in the air. I don’t know if it’s because she feels restricted on the lead like she can’t get away, as like I said she is still nervous around new dogs she meets at first.

I’ve also been told it could be a protective thing she does but I don’t know.

Any advice or help would be great as I don’t know if it she’s trying to play and she cant cause she’s on the lead or what as some dogs she’s fine with and runs around playing like normal but if a dog gets too close to her when she’s on the lead she doesn’t like it.

She meets dogs everyday on her two walks at the park and I’m aware she’s still young so maybe still needs time to get used to it all I’m not sure.

It is totally normal that your dog is not always willing or happy to meet and greet other dogs (or humans)...this may even change by the day. Just like with us, dogs too have days that they just can't be bothered with something, they might find some dogs(humans) more likeable and others utterly irritating or even scary . It ain't any different with puppies...not only that, they hormones are still playing funny part with their behaviour and that can come particularly noticeable when they are 'teenagers'. They can be bold one minute and next they are 'little unsure puppies' again
Because I personally like to meet and greet as many willing and happy-to-meet dogs when I take my dogs for their walkies. If mine don't want to meet, I give them comfortable room to stay back while I go down to the other dog's level to greet.
I find it is good to show example that it is ok to meet (in general) and it is ok for me to do it I want to (no need for 'jealousy') but neither I'm forcing it to them but they can if they want to. I don't want my dogs to pick upon that their behaviour can kind of 'dominate' my reaction...I like to keep 'meeting and greeting' in a 'neutral' ground..they can take it or leave it and same goes with me...no force to one way nor other.
When ever there is a dog approaching, I can almost 'hear' mine thinking...'here we go again...she is about to go all mushy again...' Nope, I don't force myself to other dogs neither...only if they show willingness AND their owners are happy with me giving fuss for the dogs.

 

[Hemlock]

@Hemlock, may I add that to the reactive dog thread please?


Yes of course

 

[Eva1]

It is totally normal that your dog is not always willing or happy to meet and greet other dogs (or humans)...this may even change by the day. Just like with us, dogs too have days that they just can't be bothered with something, they might find some dogs(humans) more likeable and others utterly irritating or even scary . It ain't any different with puppies...not only that, they hormones are still playing funny part with their behaviour and that can come particularly noticeable when they are 'teenagers'. They can be bold one minute and next they are 'little unsure puppies' again
Because I personally like to meet and greet as many willing and happy-to-meet dogs when I take my dogs for their walkies. If mine don't want to meet, I give them comfortable room to stay back while I go down to the other dog's level to greet.
I find it is good to show example that it is ok to meet (in general) and it is ok for me to do it I want to (no need for 'jealousy') but neither I'm forcing it to them but they can if they want to. I don't want my dogs to pick upon that their behaviour can kind of 'dominate' my reaction...I like to keep 'meeting and greeting' in a 'neutral' ground..they can take it or leave it and same goes with me...no force to one way nor other.
When ever there is a dog approaching, I can almost 'hear' mine thinking...'here we go again...she is about to go all mushy again...' Nope, I don't force myself to other dogs neither...only if they show willingness AND their owners are happy with me giving fuss for the dogs.

Thanks for your reply. It’s funny because like you said about they can be bold one minute and then the next day be unsure puppies she is a lot like this. Sometimes when I dog approaches and she is on the lead she’s absolutely fine, tail wagging she has a little sniff then we both move on, other days she can be bold and maybe growl in which I will remove her from the situation and respect her space and what she is telling me.