Socialisation - Am I doing the right thing?

[cathywelch]

Hi,
I have had Suki for 4 weeks now and she is improving daily. Suki came to us from a rescue who took her in as a stray. She is around 18 months of age. She is a whippet x possibly a bit of saluki in there. From when she came to us she wasn't walking on the lead very well and I don't think she had been in a house before. I think she has come a very long way in such a short time. I keep her on a training lead when in open areas on walks and she is now coming back 98% of the time to recall and sitting. Out on a walk yesterday she went into the river after a duck. I let her swim out to the end of the training lead. I called her back and she immediately turned around and came back.

She was in season for the first 2 weeks we had her and reacts to other dogs, mostly males. I think the reacting is more a fear reaction.

The biggest problem is other dogs running past. She wants to lung and go at their necks. She can start off playing then she doesn't know when to stop. She does this with our little beagle who she lives with as well only when our beagle is running off lead. They get on great otherwise and are happy sleeping together. Obiously she is on the lead with the other dog off. She is fine with Pepper our greyhound.

The way I am dealing with this is:
I call her in and sit when another dog is coming close and get her attention on me with treats. If it is ok then I let her meet the dog gradually rewarding her for good behavior and saying no if she tries to lunge, and call her back in and get her attention back on me. I try to leave each meeting on a positive note.

Am I doing the right things and are there any other tips to deal with her.
She is doing so well bless her.

Cathy

[cathywelch]

Anyone any advice please?

[animalslave]

I don't have a lot of experience as both mine thankfully are fairly non reactive but it sounds right to me? Hopefully so.eone with more experience will be along soon
Saying that as her reactivity is worse with male dogs she may have had a bad experience be scared they will try to mate with her. Has she been neutered now? as my girl for the first month or two I had her wouldn't let a male anywhere near her back end until she realised they weren't a threat and is now fine with them.
Sorry I can't be of more help. Congratulations on your new family member

[cathywelch]

Hi, thanks. No she has not been neutered yet. I have to take her back to the rescue at the beginning of july. Maybe that will make a difference. She is a real angel and desperate to have a good run. I am thinking of getting a muzzle to try when we do eventually let her off but won't be doing that yet.

[gilli176]

A muzzle wouldn't hurt as at least then she couldn't do any harm to other dogs. It sounds as if you are doing thing right if my dogs are running and I have a foster dog on lead often the on lead dog will lunge at the others here though it is just frustration at not being able to join in the fun. 4 weeks isn't a long time to have her with consistent training she'll continue to improve and grow in confidence

[cathywelch]

Thanks. She is improving daily and a very quick learner. It helps that she is food orientated as it is quite easy to get her attention back. Not having had a reactive dog before I just wanted to check I was doing it right.
We only had two growls today and met quite a few dogs.
Thanks for the help. x

[julies]

Hi Cathy

Sounds like you're doing well Can you find a nice friendly, laid back dog to let her run off lead with so you know the other dog won't react to her (altho teaching them manners can be useful IF you know the other dog is an excellent teacher dog and knows just what to do and when to stop)?

TBH I would always let her see the other dog approaching and not ask her to sit tho I may have not got the correct idea about what happens ... For me a dog running at mine would be a huge No No ... I don't want mine to learn they kick off and the other dog goes away (so the lunging etc works) and equally I don't know if the loose dog is a nice friendly one and I don't want her to feel vulnerable so has to react from fear ...

Mine have been very fear aggressive with other dogs .. for both I do lots of training classes so they first see at other dogs (at their coping distance ie where they don't react) who are all under control and I can then ask my dogs to look at me and get rewarded, I then progress to doing a class when mine are relaxed about the other dogs so they get closer but still all under control and hopefully you can do mingling and recalls and stuff with other dogs around but everyone is safe and relaxed.

Its crucial to find a nice training class who doesn't push you before your dog is ready for the next step but it does work .. eventually if I walked my lurcher with other dogs on or off lead for about 20 minutes and none came up to him I could let him off with them and he'd be fine

Good luck with her

Julie

[cathywelch]

Thanks.
Thought about training classes but the only one within walking distance to me is on a Thursday (Kennel club one) when I look after my grandaughter over night. Wish I had a car to use but my husband does shifts and I cant go on set evenings. I have found that some places are better to walk than others in that people are more friendly and will let there dog say hello if she is ok.
I do let her see the dog coming just make sure I have her attention first. We haven't had so much growling the last day or two and even said hello to a male lab today with no reaction.
Thanks for the advice.
I'll let you know how she gets on.

Cathy x

[jodav]

Suki is very young still and learning all the time and to be honest, both of my dogs still get very alert when other dogs are off-lead and run past or near them. Perhaps you could do a search for playgroups in your area where sighthounds can play together in a safe environment (like an equestrian indoor school)in separate groups that suit their temperament. This way they get to learn the rules associated with play; how to initiate, how to join in etc. Both of my dogs are confident but one of them particularly has learned how to have fun without trying to lunge for another dog. Other than that and going on organised social walks, sounds like you have it sorted.
Jo