Nicola

Hi everyone

i disappeared from the forum for a while as I had computer problems, then loads of family staying with me then a holiday... it's nice to be back though!

BUT

I've been having problems with Bruce. at 2.5yrs he was well socialised, loved other dogs, people, children, horses, pretty much every living thing he could encounter. a couple of months ago he was the victim of an unprovoked attack by another dog while we were out walking. he was physically unharmed but definately shaken, having to protect my other dog shadow as well as himself.

The change was immediate - although still fine with people and other animals, he is now very fearful of dogs and converts this into aggression - barking and charging at them in a similar way to what the dog did to him. I started trying to work on this immediately, positive rewards when we saw dogs, keeping our distance, getting his attention focussed on me etc.

But a couple of weeks later in the space of a week the same dog launched at him another 2 times... again completely unprovoked. so i'm now having even worse problems. he is stressed and unhappy during walks - and of course so am i because of this.

we're getting a behaviourist on board to try and sort the problem out. i just hope i can get my fun loving doberman back.

does anyone have any experience of this? did they manage to reverse the change in attitude to other dogs? i need some hope that he's going to snap out of this!

hbwright

Poor boy, same dog twice. What in the world is this owner doing about this? My first reaction would be to have a nice long talk with them and let them know the stress this is causing and that you are now having to get the help of a behaviorist because the work you put into him after the first attack was all for nil after the second. If my dog were physically injured I'd be talking to them about some vet bills, as far as psychological damage, perhapse some $$ damage on their part will make them consider doing something for their own dog.

My first suggestion would be exactly as you seem to be doing with positive reinforcement taking it slowly and gently increasing his comfort zone while treating and praising along the way. Maybe staying away from but within visual distance of other dogs while doing some obedience sits and treating and praising while the other dogs are in visual distance. Is there a neighbor with a friendly dog that you could ask to walk on the other side of the street or something for training purposes?

I think that bringing in a behaviorist is a good idea. Fortunately I've never been in this situation.

Shame on those owners, please tell me this dog isnt' roaming the streats to taunt other dogs and possibly kids?

Nicola

hmm talk - this man is beyond caring...

When his dog first attacked Bruce it was a case of me thinking "ok, some dogs don't like the look of some other dogs - it was probably a one off... the owner might normally have him on a lead etc etc" so i didn't say anything.

The second time I was playing with my dogs in a stream about 100m off the track - his dog flew at Shadow first (who is a very submissive natured dog) - Shadow hadn't even seen him (none of us had). Bruce then ran in to defend Shadow and the dog turned on him instead. I said to the owner "this is the second time this has happened, maybe you should be more careful and keep your dog on a leash". His response was that it was my dog's faults as well because "they didn't run away from his dog".

The third time his dog launched at Bruce first, came running out of no where and i said "three times, THREE times this has happened now, your dog should be on a leash, I will report you if this doesn't stop" - he walked off mumbling "your dogs weren't on a leash" My dogs didn't launch at your dogs, or any other dogs for that matter!!!

Now Bruce has to be on the leash nearly all the time unless I can see for miles around that there are no dogs about - this is precaution more than anything because i'm not sure what he'd do. firstly i don't want to be responsible for another dog getting mentally / physically hurt and secondly I don't want Bruce to be in a situation where he will get himself hurt.

As for the owner of the dog - I haven't seen him around since I told him I would report him. I have spoken to a number of people in the area who walk their dogs and 4 other people have had the same thing happen to their dogs. If he cared it wouldn't be so much of a problem but he has said the same to other people as he did to me - as though it is no problem at all for his dog at all to behave in this manner. but now i've got to deal with the consequences of his lack of care

It had me in tears yesterday when I was walking - being a dry sunday there were a lot of people about with dogs and it just got too much. Seeing people's reactions is the worst thing - looking at me as if to say "look at that viscious dobermann, how could she let him get like that, what a horrible dog" - i have always been so conscious of making sure I prove the lovely nature of Dobermann's when i am out with Bruce - i can't talk over the barking to explain to them that actually it is fear that has caused him to be like this and not his breed.

Navistardobe

I know this is a difficult time. Definitely get the help of a behaviorist and if possible, I would report this guy.
I highly recommend the book "Control Unleashed" by Leslie McDevitt. This book is for reactive dogs. She also has an email list but you have to read the book first before you're permitted on the list. I did some work with Leslie a couple of months ago and she is fabulous!
In the meantime, is there anywhere that you can take your dogs where there won't be any dogs? A place that both you and your dogs can relax and get some exercise until you resolve this problem. It is very important that you prevent your dog from reacting towards other dogs. If it happens (and it will) get him out of the situation immediately. You DO want your to be able to watch the environment but only at a distance that he will not react. And he should be rewarded for not reacting. Leslie's book goes into detail concerning this exercise.

__________________
Debbie Hartzell, Kira, Ember & Cruiser
www.navistardobe.com

Nicola

Thanks - yeah I'm thinking of speaking to our local dog warden and seeing what can be done - it's not right that he goes about not caring about his dogs behaviour.

I will check the book out, thanks for the recommendation - I have been mostly doing clicker and reward exercises when we come across other dogs but it is tough to keep hold of him and try to get his interest in food once he's set eyes on another dog. I just need a small break through and hopefully we'll start to make progress! We were making progress after the first attack but the last 2 incidents were like the final nails in the coffin!

Luckily most of the time there aren't many dogs about where I walk him - it seems to just be on those nice weekend days. (I don't know, it's like people only walk their dogs when the sun is shining!) Today we didn't bump into any other dogs and it was bliss!!

Thanks for your support - i just want my old boy back!