Wimpy Rottie

[CorysBethers]

Originally Posted by LunaBell

I'd simply tell them the truth and tell them that you want to avoid any unintentional "accidents". If the dog nips and herds your dog enough he may just snap back. No matter how laid back and submissive your dog may be he will tell their dog when enough is enough.

The fact that they don't see a problem with their dogs behavior should tell you something. Avoid the play dates as best as you can.

I do appreciate the advice. The other pets that they have aren't trained. They like to have pets, but they aren't willing to give time and attention to train them. It's sad. I think I will just avoid it altogether. Tazer's barking at PetsMart was just sad and the way he pulled back when the other dog tried to sniff him. He's just too sweet of a dog to expose him to Rex anymore. Now that I am reviewing all of the comments and stepping back to take a look at my dog, I am glad that he's my baby and that he's sweet and looks to me for his protection. At first I thought he was just being a baby, but I'm glad that he's a baby. He's sweet and gentle and kind, and that's what my Rottie should be.

[dogsbydoug]

Originally Posted by CorysBethers

We went to PetsMart today and he barked at two dogs. The first time, I think he was trying to play because his tail was wagging but the second time, the dog wasn't very nice, so I think maybe he was doing a warning bark.

Where was his tail as it was wagging? Straight up erect and stiff? casual relaxed wagging, or held low and nervous wagging? Did you look at the rest of his body language aside from the wagging tail? What was he telling you? Ears erect and relaxed playful expression? Ears back, head lowered?

A wagging tail is not always attached to a happy or playful dog...

[CorysBethers]

To be honest, I didn't pay attention to this tail this time. I was just taken aback by his barking. With Rex, his tail was low and his ears were laid back, obviously afraid. At PetsMart, his body language really wasn't anything different. The second time, he was a little more stiff. It seemed like he was keeping his ground. The first time, with the friendly dogs, he was fine. I think he was just saying hello. He wasn't stiff and did not seem upset at all.

[Beemer1]

Oh yes...stubborn, stubborn, stubborn!!! BUt that is where their loyalty stems from as well...

If he reacts llike that - barking at another dog, I would think it is a bit of anxiety on his part about other dogs and may be from his experiences with Rex. I would probably remove him from the situation and take him to a quiet corner and calm him - might help reassure him that you are still going to protect him.

[CorysBethers]

Originally Posted by Beemer1

I would probably remove him from the situation and take him to a quiet corner and calm him - might help reassure him that you are still going to protect him.

That sounds like an EXCELLENT idea! We'll see if he lets me! Sometimes he just gets too interested in his environment, but if I remove him from the situation, he should do well. I never really thought about reassuring him. I'm sure that would help! Thank you

[RottsNScotts]

I would strongly disagree with "reassuring" him. I would demand his attention with a "leave it" command and take him away from the situation THEN praise him for his obedience to you!

Reassuring in these types of situations are usually intrepreted by the dog as praise for his actions which is what we DON'T want. Give him something to do - come to attention heel, come to a front, whatever - that you can properly praise him for and take him away from the situation.

[AB1101]

Have you looked into a puppy play group or adult dog playgroup, depending on the age. It is usually just an hour, but there are all types of dogs in the group. This might be what he needs a little of everything, and how to cope with all situations. I agree with RottsandScotts he might look at reassurance as praise. Sit, stay, or a leave it command would be a better course of action. Lets face it, your dog needs to feel that you will not let him be put in a bad situation. Any Dog that comes near my pup has to behave or I will remove my pup from the situation. I 1st tell the other owner that if you do not control your dog I will, that gets them moving. I have many friends with dogs that do not behave(untrained) that I stay away from. But when my pup is in that situation and comes to me for protection that is when I step in. I do not look at that as weakness, more like trust. The more your dog trusts you, the more he will respect and obey your commands.

[Luvs]

I think it is great that you are taking him to places like Petsmart to socialize him, but if he were my dog, he would NEVER have any contact with strange dogs there. Most people either lie about their dog being friendly, or honestly just don't know how to read a dogs body language so what they think is friendly is really not. I am NOT willing to take the chance with one of my dogs. The ONLY dogs they are allowed to have any physical contact with are ones where I know both the dog and owner very well.

[CorysBethers]

I am not aware of any play groups in this area, but I think that would be just what Tazer needs. He is such a friendly dog and loves people and other animals; he just needs contact with well trained dogs.

As far as PetsMart goes, I am very careful when he approaches other dogs. If the other dog is showing even the least bit of aggression, I take him away from the situation and I do not let him anywhere near the other dog. If the dog seems friendly, I am still careful and keep him at a distance. Then, if I am worried at all, I take him away. I don't let my dog or other dogs just rush into it.

[Mochasmom]

Originally Posted by CorysBethers

I am not aware of any play groups in this area, but I think that would be just what Tazer needs. He is such a friendly dog and loves people and other animals; he just needs contact with well trained dogs.

A great place to meet people for playdates is obedience classes. If all he's had is puppy class he has a long ways to go.

Another thing to keep in mind is that any anxiety you feel he will feel so the second you tighten up the leash in anticipation of "something" you transfer that to him. Good to be proactive but also good to introduce him to things happily and stress free.

[TrishB]

Originally Posted by CorysBethers

First, we have taken obedience classes and he listens very well.

This is good and I'm glad that you're enjoying the classes and continuing with them.

Originally Posted by CorysBethers

When the other dog was nipping, I separated them and consoled my dog.

This was a mistake. "Consoling" a dog does nothing other than to teach them that they should have been afraid, that their reaction was the right one. Consoling to a dog is attention and praise. Do you really want him to think that he needs to run from other dogs? A dog aggressive dog is a trial to deal with. A dog fearful dog is also very trying. So try not to teach this behaviour.l

Originally Posted by CorysBethers

We took breaks and had the other dog on his leash at times so that Tazer could investigate without being harassed.

This is what should have been done in the first place, on neutral ground. Meeting Rex at his house, in his territory, which I assume is an older dog than yours - you set up your dog to be corrected by the smaller dog. He asserted himself in his territory and your dog responded in kind, knowing that he had NO RIGHTS where he was, in another dogs territory.

Originally Posted by CorysBethers

Another thing, a bigger dog would be better because they tend not to be so nippy and barky. The barking upsets Tazer too. I know my dog.

Barking shouldn't upset him. If it does, then simply move away and call off whatever plans you had.

There was no reason for you to pressure your dog into meeting this other dog. Your dog approached him (I wasn't there, I cannot say if his greeting was appropriate from a dogs point of view). The other dog told him under no circumstances, was he interested in meeting him. You as the owner should have listened to that warning and taken your dog out of the situation.

It is up to you to properly read situations and to take action, if it isn't in the best interest of your dog. Don't pressure him into situations that provide no advantage.

[rhylmarova]

I have made the same mistake once with Lion. Walking with a friend and her 7years old bitch (on regular basis), we ran into another friend of hers with 2years old Rotti. At that time, Lion was only 5 months. The other Rotti wanted to play (nicely) but it all got too much for Lion and I left him in the situation making sure not to reassure him. Instead, I should have taken him out of situation, do some obedience (re-focus his mind) and praise him for that.

It took me a little while to get his confidence up again. He was always frightened around other dogs.. We eventually did get to meet the same Rotti later but this time more supervised with breaks. I have also introduced 'Say hello' informal command that I say in particularly cheery voice suggesting to Lion that the situation is ok and under control. Since than, Lion (now 7 months) is best mate with Bruno (the other Rott). He absolutelly loves him.


Having said all of that, I do let him play (always supervised) only with dogs that I know and I would always ask their owners to correct them if they were bullying Lion and vise versa (Lion loved to herd another dog but got corrected for it constantly and it is no longer an issue). With other dogs, I just tell lion to Watch Me and we have fun together.

Hope that a snapshot from my own situation will be helpful.

[Beemer1]

[sigh] in a semi related situation, I live in an aprtment that has a large space especially for dog walking and I regularly walk all of my dogs there. I have been noticing this one man with his mixed breed hound dog out walking all of the same times we are but didn't really pay much attention until yesterday when he came up to us while I was walking with Beemer. We introduced the dogs and they were a bit nervous but seemed quite fine with each other. His dog is about the same in height as my dog but wieghs quite a bit less. After we exchanged dog names we were exchanging people names and I realized that our dogs having potty breaks at the same time was probably no accident. he lives beside the dog park and I think he was walking with Buddy to come and meet us - such is the plight of a single girl with dogs sometimes.

While we were talking his dog Buddy reached out and I think it was an attempt to play but he stuck a paw right in Beemers face. Needless to say that got him a growl and some bared teeth immediately. I put myself between the dogs and petted Beemers face to soothe him and said to no one in particular "That wasn't very nice!" The man said as if to excuse his dogs actions "Oh he is part Boxer" .."Oh" I said,"Well I don't think Beemer liked that very much. It was nice meeting you. " and I left.

I am not sure if he got that hint or not. I will have to see what happens next time we meeet walking dogs but at least Beemer got the idea that I wasn't going to let that dog paw him in the face - I think Steve the owner did too. And honestly I think the other dog just wanted to play and wasn't sure how to initiate it.

[TrishB]

Originally Posted by Beemer1

While we were talking his dog Buddy reached out and I think it was an attempt to play but he stuck a paw right in Beemers face. Needless to say that got him a growl and some bared teeth immediately. I put myself between the dogs and petted Beemers face to soothe him and said to no one in particular "That wasn't very nice!" The man said as if to excuse his dogs actions "Oh he is part Boxer" .."Oh" I said,"Well I don't think Beemer liked that very much. It was nice meeting you. " and I left.

I think you did just fine.

Although next time, leave out the "soothing him" part. He didn't need soothing. He needed to know that you had taken care of the situation and had removed him from it. That way, he was sure that he didn't have to escalate the situation. He knew that by you stepping inbetween them and stopping the interaction. That was all he needed - nothing more, nothing less.

Otherwise, you did beautifully. I would suspect that your new 'friend' will generally steer clear of you. Now that he knows his dog is prone to doing things that both you and your dog don't approve of. Happy walking.