Need help with training older dog

[Sus]

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I have had Biddy for 13 weeks now and she has made amazing progress
She is a lot happier, approaches strangers now and lets them touch and pet her, her tail wags a lot more and she no longer hides behind furniture or under chairs
I think a lot has to do with the fact she has got over her teeth extractions, her ears are clear (she no longer need the dreaded ear drops) and she is now down to 3.1kg so has lost 600gms
She still has a lot of issues but it is early days.
She has 2 problems I need to sort urgently and the first is her with other dogs, she bares her teeth, growls and snaps at them, she wags her tail when she sees them but if they come too close she snaps. I think she wants to make friends but is scared (I could be wrong)
This is quite an important problem for me to solve as if I go away I never want her to go to a kennels but to stay with family or friends who all have dogs
She loves going to my sisters house but does not like Winston her cockapoo (though he is still a boisterous pup). She stayed with my brother when I went on holiday and actually snapped at and went for Molly their placid and laid back bichon friese. She really took to my brother (her elderly owner that died was male) and he thinks it was because he petted Molly without thinking when Biddy was close by.
The second one, she loves going for long walks but does not like woods or fields and prefers pavements. I am trying to change this slowly as I am concerned about long distances on concrete making her paws sore especially as most paving slabs seemed to have been replaced by rough tarmac but more importantly she has no road sense. I hate walking on narrow pavements with her as if I try to pull her in from the outside of the pavement she immediately resists (she hates any pull on the lead and will dig her feet in and resist) otherwise she has no problem walking on lead
I have given her a free reign because she was so scared, stressed and nervous when I got her but I do think it is time I started trying to lay down a few rules and train her. I live in a small town that does not have any dog training or special classes that I am looking for
I wondered if anyone could recommend a good book that I could get that would help. I do not want to teach her much, she is nearly 9 years old and though she was quite traumatised when I first got her she has a stubborn streak
Socialising with other dogs, stop the resisting on the lead and maybe recall and sit on demand if possible. Though only the first 2 are important

 

[JudyN]

For her general reactivity to other dogs, have a read of this thread: Dog Reactivity Of course, come back and ask if you have any questions it doesn't answer.

For getting on with dogs inside friends' or family's homes, you could start of outside the home, on neutral ground, walking parallel to the other dog with both on lead, gradually reducing the gap between them... and gradually work towards them being comfortable with each other outside the house, and then inside. However... inside a house, there can be a lot of unpredictable dynamics. Given her past, her age, and how she is in general, it might be better for you to find a dog sitter/boarder who only takes on one dog at a time. You would want to have 'practice runs' before leaving her so she is familiar with the person and (if applicable) their home.

Getting her used to woods/fields... try standing at the edge of a bit of grass, throw a treat a couple of feet onto the grass, and encourage her to go and get it. Then just 'hang' on the bit of grass/rough ground having a bit of quality time together... Then gradually increase the distance the treat goes. If she finds something interesting to sniff, that's great. It's really about giving her a good reason to go a little way into the new environment, and then making it seem 'normal'.

I really like the book The Puppy Primer by Patricia McConnell. Biddie's not a puppy, but the approach to training will be pretty much the same.

 

[Sus]

Thank you Judy for your reply
I will defintely read Dog Reactivity that you suggested, also will look at puppy primer
The neutral ground that you suggest I am doing with a friend who has a yorkshire terrier.
Is ironic but she is the friend that I would leave any animal with at a seconds notice but Biddy and Bingley hated each other on sight, but am glad to say that although they do not like each other they will now walk alongside each other although these are the 2 that we have concentrated on
As for house sitter or someone having her in their home, I have looked into that but I honestly do not think I could do it
No matter how many qualifications they have or how many times you meet them they are strangers who are doing it for money. 99% of them are genuine animal lovers but I would be scared that I picked 1% that just did as a job to get done

 

[Hemlock]

Do have a look at Emma Judson's "Canine Consultant" site. I know Emms, and she is a very very good dog trainer/behaviourist. Always uses kind methods, and very perceptive about what is going on in a dog's head.

For the pavements - always walk her on the inside not the traffic side, and if she tries to dive across you, the lead is too long. Until you are more familiar with her body language and can read her better (this comes with time and is in no way a criticism) hold the lead in your inside hand i.e. furthest away from the road, across your body to your outside hand, both hands palm down so the lead enters each hand at the little finger side on the nearest hand to your dog, and the loop end (never feed the loop round your wrist) goes between your thumb and first finger across your palm. This way gives you great strength to withstand a sudden dive.

It is so heartening to find someone as caring as you over their dog's welfare and state of mind.

 

[Sus]

Thanks Hemlock I will certainly look up that book and practice more with her lead
Even if I never get her to do the things I want her to do I will get to know more about dogs and their behaviour. It will definitely help me as she is the first dog I have ever owned and am a complete novice. If it had not been for this site and advice from my family and friends (although they did not have much experience with troubled and scared dogs) I do not know what I would have done