STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Tati · Chanel

my princess.....and a Q. for you dog owners

JoceyBaby23 · Gucci

I would get her enrolled in group puppy classes right away. She needs to be around other dogs more.. be able to play and interact with them.. Then she will feel more comfortable and tolerant of other animals.. This worked for my puppy.. He is never aggressive anymore!

zeitgeist4 · Gucci

I don't have any suggestions, but wanted to say that you're not alone.

My dog is a Border Collie/Lab mix that is 9 years old, and she is in LOVE with humans but seems to always snap/growl at other dogs. We just keep her away from other dogs as much as possible. We got her when she was 4 and she used to live out in the country where dogs roamed around, so she had to be kinda street-smart with other dogs, so that's probably why she does this.

Your dog is a cutie though!

small fry · Chanel

I agree with jocycebaby puppy classes are good while she is still young, I cant believe how big she is at 4 months old- she is very beautiful

laken1 · Hermes

adorable. I know nothing about doggie behavior, but your dog is precious!

mckenke · BCBG

I agree with the puppy class suggestion and I just wanted to add that sometimes dogs are more aggressive on the leash because they feel confined. You might want to introduce your dog to another dog off the leash and on neutral territory. My dog tends to get a little fiesty on the leash, but we have introduced him to several friends' dogs at a park or somewhere neutral (dogs tend to be defensive on their own turf) and then they are fine once we put them on the leash and walk around. Just a thought...

relrel · Marc Jacobs

i have nothing to add really, just that i agree about the dog classes thing. i just really wanted to exclaim loudly that that dog is growing! it's been what, like two weeks since you posted those other pictures? she looks so much bigger!

Collette · Chanel

I agree with everyone else on a puppy class, your baby needs to be socialized ASAP. In the meantime I tell you what we did with our puppy who is 7 months old and really good around other dogs. First off get a gentle leader it will help you control her better on walks in case she lunges at another puppy. Slowly introduce her to another dog and when she gets closer treat and reward her. Show her positive reinforcement every time she gets close to another dog without barking or growling. Good luck!

halleybird · Hermes

The other girls' suggestions are great. She needs to be socialized as soon and as often as possible so the behavior doesn't become permanent. A dog park might be good, if you have one nearby (just watch her carefully).

Also, has she ever done this with another dog besides your friend's? Every once in awhile, you just find two dogs who hate each other for whatever reason. And if it was another female, that could have made it worse.

But she should be fine if she can get into puppy classes. But do it sooner than later, b/c the behavior just gets worse.

On another note, she is soooooo beautiful. She reminds me of my Sully, who is part GSD.

blink · Coach

the Dog Whisperer is a great book, by Paul Owens...or O something. there is also a website, idog.com that is helpful, and Paul O used to post advice there.

otherwise, it sounds like it might just be some leash aggression. dogs have a natural way of greeting each other, but when they are tugged by a leash or a tether, they feel threatened, so that's why they bark like maniacs. ETA... oh and try taking her to a dog park to give her more socialization with strange dogs.

-- Edited by lorelei at 20:54, 2006-01-19