[email protected]

In a message dated 12/15/2002 12:43:03 PM Eastern Standard Time,
tuckervill@... writes:
> But if I put her on a leash and let her sniff any
> another dog, she gets to growling and nipping and won't let the other dog
> sniff her. (She weighs only 12 pounds and stands about 10 inches at the
> shoulders, so she's almost always dwarfed by other dogs, so I understand
> feeling intimidated.)
>
> So what can I do to make her feel comfortable around other dogs while on
> the
> leash? She's 4 now and it's time for her to know better. Sometimes I pick
>
> her up and that makes her feel superior and stop growling...but the other
> dog
> cannot come near me, because, of course, she's trapped and protective and
> goes nuts. So, I usually pick her up and carry her away from the other
> dog,
> but that doesn't help her learn to accept them. Short of obedience class,
> and I shudder to think about all those other dogs there, what to do?
>

Height is a big deal to dogs. That's one of the reasons you'll see the
hackles go up on her neck and back---she's trying to look bigger. This is
also accomplished when she's in your arms.

When she's on a leash and you're pulling on the lead (even just slightly),
you're making her look smaller (she's pulling and leaning, so she can't get
to her fullest height)---on her toes, shoulders raised, and hackles up---so
she becomes more.....macho....by growling and picking fights.

How about putting a long (15-20 feet) lead on her and leaving it on the
ground---loose, very loose. If she's OK with this, you can slowly, gradually
take up on the lead until it's shorter, but still loose. Don't pull against
her; it makes her look and feel smaller.

MOST dogs when left alone (without interfernece from humans) will establish a
pecking order with no bloodshed (there are exceptions).

>>She's 4 now and it's time for her to know better. <<

Shame on you, Tuck! NO age descrmination!!! Shame, shame! <g>

>>Short of obedience class,
and I shudder to think about all those other dogs there, what to do?<<

The BEST thing about classes is the presence of the other dogs! My favorite
part is to really WATCH the dogs (and humans) the first night of class and
then come back 6-8-10 weeks later and look at all of them again! Everyone's
(well, almost!) more confident and comfortable.

~Kelly


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 12/15/2002 12:12:20 PM Central Standard Time,
kbcdlovejo@... writes:

> How about putting a long (15-20 feet) lead on her and leaving it on the
> ground---loose, very loose. If she's OK with this, you can slowly,
> gradually
> take up on the lead until it's shorter, but still loose. Don't pull against
>
> her; it makes her look and feel smaller.
>

Yeah, that's a good idea. We have a very large park where dogs can be off
leash--I always leave the stretchy leash on her, lock it out all the way and
let her drag it. (She's slower and easier to catch that way--otherwise
she'll be off and running for an hour and I usually don't want to stay that
long.) So maybe I could try to keep up with her there while she meets other
dogs--she might feel like she's still on the leash, yet not trapped.

<<The BEST thing about classes is the presence of the other dogs!>>


Seriously, it would not be pretty. All those untrained dogs! She would be
nuts. I wouldn't even be able to walk into the room. At the vet I have to
hold her in my arms and try not to let any other dogs near her. And I'm
always afraid how the other dogs will react to her. And then there are the
idiot owners of huge dogs who are too busy talking to the staff to see that
their dog has me cornered with a snarling dog in my arms! lol.

I might look into the classes, but I'm not hopeful.

Thanks!
Tuck


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 12/15/2002 1:28:30 PM Eastern Standard Time,
tuckervill@... writes:


> At the vet I have to
> hold her in my arms and try not to let any other dogs near her. And I'm
> always afraid how the other dogs will react to her. And then there are the
>
> idiot owners of huge dogs who are too busy talking to the staff to see that
>
> their dog has me cornered with a snarling dog in my arms!

One word: CRATE!

$30 for a size fit for a JR.

~Kelly


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Deborah Lewis

Kelly! My hero!
I brought Taz in here and read your post to her, and apologized for
making her feel small. I think she's forgiven me (we kissed ), and I'm
going to go by a looooonngg leash today, and later we'll go walk by the
river.

I thank you! Tazzy thanks you!
It's not easy to type with a Basenji nose in your ear...

Deb L

[email protected]

In a message dated 12/15/2002 3:21:14 PM Eastern Standard Time,
ddzimlew@... writes:
> I thank you! Tazzy thanks you!
> It's not easy to type with a Basenji nose in your ear...
>
>

Give her a kiss for me! I LOVE Basenjis!!!

~K


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 12/15/2002 12:39:43 PM Central Standard Time,
kbcdlovejo@... writes:

> One word: CRATE!
>
> $30 for a size fit for a JR.
>

Yeah, we have one, and she sleeps in it most nights, but I never think to
bring it to the vet!

Tuck


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 12/15/2002 6:01:54 PM Eastern Standard Time,
tuckervill@... writes:


>
> Yeah, we have one, and she sleeps in it most nights, but I never think to
> bring it to the vet!
>

Ta-DAAAH!


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Mary Bianco

>From: kbcdlovejo@...

<<The BEST thing about classes is the presence of the other dogs! My
favorite part is to really WATCH the dogs (and humans) the first night of
class and then come back 6-8-10 weeks later and look at all of them again!>>

Oh I have to agree with this one. When we got our two pups we have now, we
knew from classes before with other dogs just what we had to do. But it was
the (dare I say the S word?) socialization that we knew was real important.
It definitely makes a difference no matter what age the dog is. Our dogs
little friend, Heidi the Boxer down the street is a typical little lady when
you see her walking. But when she sees another dog coming, she's a total
maniac! Never to been to class and we strongly suggest it everytime we see
her!!!

Mary B


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Mary Bianco

>From: tuckervill@...

<<Seriously, it would not be pretty. All those untrained dogs! She would
be nuts. I wouldn't even be able to walk into the room. At the vet I have
to hold her in my arms and try not to let any other dogs near her. And I'm
always afraid how the other dogs will react to her. And then there are the
idiot owners of huge dogs who are too busy talking to the staff to see that
their dog has me cornered with a snarling dog in my arms! lol.

I might look into the classes, but I'm not hopeful.>>



You have to make sure to get a good trainer. Ask around a lot and make sure
you get personal experience from people who have gone to the trainer before.
Don't do any Petsmart or pet store training. A good trainer will whip the
bad owners into shape in no time and you will find well mannered pets
because of it. The first couple of lessons will be crazy but you will see
such a difference as the weeks go by. Be prepared to be yelled at though but
have an open mind. A good trainer does know what they are talking about. One
just has to be willing to do it his way. My poor husband went through 5
classes before he made it through one when he wasn't reprimanded!!!

Mary B


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