Too late for socialization?

[bengietheshihtzu 0]

Bengie was given to me when he was ~1 year old. I didn't have much history on him and unfortunately didn't get him properly socialized with other animals. Needless to say he now hates cats and other dogs. I wouldn't mind so much but it does get somewhat embarrassing cause he doesn't just bark at them but goes totally psycho.

The odd thing is that when i take him to the vets or groomer they say he's a total angel. So either they're lying or maybe he is just overprotective when around me.

Any one have suggestions? I've tried taking him to friends houses to introduce him to other animals but they tend to freak out when he starts to go nuts. I honestly don't think he will bite and would eventually calm down once he gets all his bark out, but most people aren't that patient.

[Chai 0]

It isn't too late, I have helped with rescue dogs who are usually much older. It sometimes takes a bit longer but socialization can be trained.

I would look into signing up for a dog training class such as basic obedience or something like that. Most of the time the dogs feed off of us and our reactions, if you are stressed then your dog may be reacting to this. If you try a training class then you will have the opportunity to have someone who knows what they are doing work with both you AND your dog.

Also start taking your dog out places where other people AND animals will be, but keep him on a leash. Get a correction spray and if he starts growling or acting aggressive then spray, if he ignores or stays quiet then give a reward. Try to focus more on rewarding than on punishing, and start small.... you don't want to set your dog up for failure before he even starts.

Carrie

[mom2Gizmo 24]

I would not do any type, and I mean any at all, of punishment when he is around other animals. If you spray him or jerk his collar or whatever, he is just going to end up associating this bad thing happening when other animals are around and it will make the problem that much worse, IMO.

I have a question though. When he is so reactive to other animals, is it when he is on leash or off leash? I ask because many dogs are reactive and aggressive to other dogs when on a leash, but are fine when off the leash. Not that that problem doesn't also need training, but I'm just wondering if he dislikes other animals all the time or just when on leash.

Again, please no negative consequences when he is around other animals.

[bengietheshihtzu 0]

thanks for the recommendations chai, i have considered an obedience class and need to sign up for one.

mom2-i don't think its an issue of him being on a leash. I'm actually to afraid to see what will happen if I let him off but the few times he's snuck out the front door he bolts directly to the cat ladies house to chase them and then to eat the food she leaves out. I'm sort of afraid to see what he would do if one of the big dogs in the neighborhood happen to be out.

Another thing I've noticed is that when I let him out back and he hears other dogs bark he feels he needs to start barking back. This type of bark is no where near the intensity of his "in person" insanity, but should this be corrected? and could it be contributing to his aggression issues when around other dogs?

[Seastar 44]

I think I would recommend a private consultation prior to obedience classes. To get some help in working with him on this before he goes to school.

[Carolina Girl 2]

I too, got my baby when he was about 1. He has/had issues. I hired a trainer to come work with him one on one. Once Ozzy passes all of the "tests" he gets to go to tune-ups, which are monthly meetings of all the clients and their dogs. This way, we keep going with the socialization. It is for sure not too late. You should call in a trainer. Mine did the first visit for free.

Edited May 14, 2010 by Ozzy's Mom

[tzuhouse 4]

I would CERTAINLY enroll in an obedience class...EVEN if you have already trained him to do some things, like sits and downs, etc. Carrie is right, they are trained and can help determine just what your dog needs to get you past this....IT can be done.

[mom2Gizmo 24]

thanks for the recommendations chai, i have considered an obedience class and need to sign up for one.

mom2-i don't think its an issue of him being on a leash. I'm actually to afraid to see what will happen if I let him off but the few times he's snuck out the front door he bolts directly to the cat ladies house to chase them and then to eat the food she leaves out. I'm sort of afraid to see what he would do if one of the big dogs in the neighborhood happen to be out.

Another thing I've noticed is that when I let him out back and he hears other dogs bark he feels he needs to start barking back. This type of bark is no where near the intensity of his "in person" insanity, but should this be corrected? and could it be contributing to his aggression issues when around other dogs?

Barking back when he hears dogs barking is completely normal behavior, I don't think it has anything to do with his aggression around other dogs.

Both of my dogs like other dogs and have dog friends they regularly play with. Both display "aggressive" behavior towards other dogs when on a leash on walks. This is something we are working on. It's not easy. And they both bark when they are in the yard and hear neighborhood dogs barking.

I agree with the others, find a good trainer and after consulting with a trainer consider classes.

[Luna 8,676]

Ozzy's Mom is spot-on. You need an evaluation with a GOOD private trainer, followed by lots of work as recommended. I have owned 2 dogs like Benjie in my life, both of which came to me near a year of age, about a year apart. I was incredibly lucky in that for the first one I "found" (in other words, "searched-out" and this was WAY before the internet) an amazing behaviorist who taught me how to teach my dog. Both dogs eventually lost their aggressive ways with other dogs and were a joy in all ways.

I WILL say that a good trainer/behaviorist should offer a set price for the evaluation that is NOT contingent on your retaining their services: some will offer the evaluation free. See how the individual interacts with your dog and if you aren't comfortable look elsewhere. There is NO reason EVER to use abusive methods with a Shih Tzu (in fact, that is generally counter-productive) but things like gentle scruffing or alpha-rolls are not necessarily abusive so do a bit of homework yourself beforehand. Hitting and shock collars are NOT acceptable (which I bet you already know, but it never hurts to hear it again when striking out in unfamiliar waters).

[mr.coffee 364]

Heh....I guess I got the weird dog, we've got two or three noisy dogs in the neighborhood, but Harley NEVER barks back at them.

-m

[Wicket's mom 1]

Heh....I guess I got the weird dog, we've got two or three noisy dogs in the neighborhood, but Harley NEVER barks back at them.

-m

I wouldn't call him weird, more like and Angel...do you wanna trade

...just kidding by the way; I wouldn't trade in any of my dogs for the world!

Bengietheshihtzu, we adopted my brussels griffon, Gucci, when she was 3 yrs old (approx 8 months ago), she doesn't react the same way Bengie does; she's more scared a will bark defensively and cower and/or run if a new dog comes close. BUT, she was also not properly socialised when she was younger and we've been introducing her to as many dogs as possible since we got her and she is gradually getting better; so it is not too late to socialize, but like someone else mentionned it is very long and the progress is very gradual.

[Chai 0]

Look into wireless fencing. I had a problem with my ladies "visiting" the neighbors. I got a wireless fence with the collars (they have a setting that is just the tone, and that was enough for both ladies) You can set an acceptable perimeter that will allow some freedom around the yard, but not go to the neighbor's house.

I agree with Luna.. This is a gentle breed and you do not need aggressive training methods. One of the things that you can do now is to start laying him on his side/back when it is just the two of you and scratch that tummy for all you are worth. This will do a couple of things.. 1. get him to lay in a submissive position while doing something enjoyable. 2. Help establish your ranking over him.

Barking when other dogs bark is normal. As long as there are no other aggressive moves, then it is probably just "chatter". I see it at the dog park all the time.. A new dog comes in..everyone sniffs some bark back and forth, and if a dog isn't playing nice the other dogs will bark at it first, OR if they are really getting into a game of tag or something you will hear an occasional bark. As to how you treat this depends on how much of a warning system do you want your dog to be.

Carrie