Feeling Disheartened

[wellybob]

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Hello everyone. It is a while since I started a topic but today I am feeling in need of a bit of encouragement please!!

Jovi has been doing realy well but is still nervous of other dogs, we have made quite a few friends on our walks in the park

and Jovi will play chase with them but today he was chaced out of the park by a dog we have never met before

and he was terrified,the owner of the other dog was unconcerned and proceded to walk away saying his dog would follow him when it was ready, Jovi waited for us at the entrance of the park but was a bit skitish with the other dogs he has been

used to playing with, I feel we have been set back weeks are we ever going to cure the nervousness The owner of the other dog made us feel like Jovi wasnt trained to come back on comand but it was the fear that made him not come

and at least he waited for us Wellibob

 

[JAX]

Poor Jovi

sorry but I havnt any advice

 

[jinnyfizz]

Oh dear

The same thing happened to another K9 member a week or so ago ....... one of her whippets was so scared that she ran out of the park and all the way home, crossing a busy road on the way Luckily she got home safely but it could have been a different story

I think whippets do take fright easily and because their recall is not always 100% it can be very difficult to keep them safe in these situations. As some other dog owners seem to have little or no regard for others' safety, then all I can suggest is that you put Jovi back on his lead when you see other strange dogs approaching, before they start chasing him :luck:

I'm so glad to hear that he waited for you at the entrance, bless him

 

[ingsay2000]

My little Jo Jo was attacked by a German Shepherd when she was young. After this experience she would automatically run in the opposite direction when she saw one coming in the distance. From then on I would keep my eyes peeled for Shepherds and put her on her lead before she had spotted it. Id stand still and let the Shepherd approach her, making sure to make NO fuss and ask the owner if they minded standing a few minutes.

It took about a year but now (although still wary) she no longer runs a mile.

It takes a bit of time but Im sure with patience you'll get there.

:luck:

 

[Finleyfoofoo]

Hi,

My Lurcher,Spike,was also chased off our local field by a Doberman a year ago,and became very nervous of dogs he did,nt know,either when passing on

the street,or on our fields.It has took a long time,but he has now built his confidence up again,and is fine.It certainly is not your dogs fault,nor yours,as if a dog feels frightend,it will take flight without thinking.All i did,was be wary of dogs coming towards us,if we did,nt know it,i would clip Spike on,just in case.

I know how cross i felt with the woman whos dog chased him off the field,infact,we dont speak,which i fine by me.lol.

Amandaxx

 

[wellybob]

Thank you for your reply's, we will persevere, I did feel disheatened this morning, tomorrow hopefully will be a

better day! most dog wakers we meet are very pleasant but the few 'cocky' ones can knock you for six I hope we dont meet him again, It makes me feel better knowing we are not the only ones who have had these sort of problems and

that over time they have been overcome. Bye for now wellibob

 

[Lal]

Having had a similar problem with my dog I can only offer the same advice as has already been given. To this day I still put Rifle back on the lead if we see a strange dog approaching, simply because I know he is still inclined to be nervous if another dog is a bit 'full on' with him.

 

[TTT]

Have you considered joining a dog training club? You can train your dog in the company of others, which should boost his confidence, obedience and socialising skills in a controlled environment. Otherwise, as others have suggested, keep him on a lead when other dogs are around. Good luck, it must be worrying for you when he disappears when you are out.

 

[whippetwise]

It would be great if you could arrange to meet up with different people in your area that have well behaved dogs so that he only has positive experiences with other dogs for the next while. The main thing is to keep relaxed, if you start to worry or panic when you see a strange dog approaching, then he will too.

Training i a great way to boost a dogs confidence, even if you do a bit at home and then once he is good at it you can then give him commands when he is out with you. Training them to do a half down (like a play bow) is a great one for dogs that find socialising with other dogs difficult. It takes time but if he has enough positive experiences he will get there in the end.Good luck with him :luck:

 

[TillynPip]

I presume this dog wasn't aggressive towards Jovi and ran after him meaning to be playful, although obviously Jovi didn't realise this. I agree with the comments regarding training and training classes. Gracie (nearly one) has been at puppy/dog training classes since she was about 14 weeks and, initially, wasn't at all impressed with the barking and general noise in the class. However, after two classes she became completely immune to it all, would greet all the other dogs big and small, and can now settle on her mat whilst other dogs are put through their paces, waiting nicely for her turn. Even if she didn't progress through her bronze, silver and gold awards, I would still continue with the classes because she loves it and it makes her think and use her brain, resulting in an extremely tired but very happy dog at the end of the evening.

Maybe it would help Jovi to come into contact with dogs of all shapes and sizes, in a controlled environment were nothing negative is going to happen to him. Good luck with your boy.

 

[eve]

Lilly has never got over her nervousness with strange dogs. I do not know a lot of her history before she came to me. When I see another dog approaching, I put her on the lead. It is funny but she seems so much confident and secure when I do so. She can be nervous agressive when she is off the lead. She is happy to come for the lead when we see another dog approaching and I just go along with that

 

[wellybob]

Yes we have been to dog training club and we did quite well but all the dogs are controled there, in the park the enviroment is different we have also made friends with other dog walkers

and Jovi dose play if he is given time to think about it and not rushed, this morning the opposite happend

the other dog rushed at him, his back up, and gave chase his owner told us he only wanted to play but Jovi didnt think so !!

nither did we! any way on the posotive side he waited for us and that must be a good thing, we have come so far with him

he is now used to other people and will let them pet him, we can also leave him in charge of the house with free run of the kitchen and bedroom with out putting him in his crate, it is just this nervous behaviour that is holding him back and makes me feel down hearted sometimes but has been therapeutic writing this topic and I am very grateful for all your replys

 

[Finleyfoofoo]

Thank you for your reply's, we will persevere, I did feel disheatened this morning, tomorrow hopefully will be a better day! most dog wakers we meet are very pleasant but the few 'cocky' ones can knock you for six I hope we dont meet him again, It makes me feel better knowing we are not the only ones who have had these sort of problems and

that over time they have been overcome. Bye for now wellibob

You are quite right,you can walk you dog for months,then you meet the odd"numptie"that knocks you back.

You will be fine,dont worry too much.

Amandaxx

 

[kirislin]

I think this is pretty common, if a large enthusiastic dog comes barging up to them, most of the time their response would be to use that amazing speed to get them out of trouble/perceived danger. Your dog isn't a coward and most of mine would have reacted the same way. He had the good sense to wait at a safe place for you, sounds to me like he's a clever boy.

One of my whippets in particular would run between my legs if she feels threatened, not sure if it's a good thing or not, both of us might end up being attacked, but I like that she trusts me to protect her.

I agree with keeping him on the leash if you see anything that might make him take flight. If a dog rushes up to him while he's with you, block its way to him and speak in a firm low voice and tell it to get! (or words to that effect)