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Riley's Barking.


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babybluegirl

Hi there,

Just wanted to pop by here because I have an issue that my husband and I want ironing out, but not sure how to go about it and wondered if anyone with more experience have any advice for us.  Riley is nearly 17 months old and is doing great after having been neutered and his umbilical hernia repaired on Thursday 23 July.  As you all know, we've had numerous issues of Riley being attacked on many occasions - he just wants to be loved by everyone and is happy to go up to every dog (big and small) and person he meets and insists on lots of attention.  Obviously since all his incidents, we're now not so trusting of other dogs.  I've not always let him off lead when we go for walks over the park now as we're not 100% sure it's safe for him to be over the park off lead especially when there's other bigger dogs over there (afraid he'll get attacked, yet again - last time was in late July by a Spaniel - the exact same one as the incident in May).

So, anyway, the other month in the evening my husband walked Riley at night time and when they both got home, he told me what Riley had done.  Apparently, a big black poodle type dog tried to go for Riley as they walked past each other.  Normally when this happens, Riley just walks straight past the dog and we go on our merry way.  However, this particular time, Riley actually barked back!  (Really unheard of for him).  I couldn't believe it when my husband told me.  We put it down to Riley being so fed up of constantly being on the receiving end, that he's decided to bark back now :(

So, on another day (probably days/weeks later) when Riley saw that same black poodle type dog, he's reacted to him now (which he doesn't normally do).  We were walking down the road and the black large poodle and his owner were walking on the other side of the road when out of nowhere Riley tried to go over the road because he had seen that dog.  He was barking away and I had to try my best to walk straight to carry on our way.  On another occasion the man stood still with his dog as we walked past him and Riley was as good as gold, which was a relief, but then last night we saw the man and dog again.  My husband was walking Riley on the lead and I was next to them, when we noticed the black poodle.  He's not done anything to Riley on all these occasions (just on the very first one), but Riley went beserk and was showing teeth/growling at the dog and just going crazy!!!  My husband pulled Riley away so that he couldn't see the black poodle and to try and calm him down.  What do we do in this situation?  I feel this is going to happen each time we see this dog and I know not all people like/get on with each other so is it the same for dogs, that some dogs just don't like each other and will never get along?

What do I need to do so that we can avoid this - apart from the obvious of not crossing paths.  I don't know the man's routine/times of when he goes out walking, so it's not like we can avoid them 100% of the time.  What I want to know is what should we be doing?  Should we be telling Riley off for acting like this?  Should we be trying to keep him still so that he can't see the black poodle?  Please advise as last night wasn't a nice situation that we want again.

Thanks for reading,

babybluegirl

10:26pm

Edited by babybluegirl
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I have no advice but I'm sure more knowledgeable people will chime in.  Wishing you and Riley good luck.  I hope you can figure out a solution.

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Crinkly

Hi,

Is there any possibility that one of you is communicating their concern about this particular dog, to Riley (body language, stress pheromones, tension on leash).

Has it been the same person holding the leash every time there has been barking?

My In Laws have a very spoilt, very over weight, very badly socialised jack russel, which we walk sometimes.  Called Rolly (a self-fulfilling prophesy, it appears) Every time he sees another dog, he goes into a barking frenzy.  It is very annoying.  He isn't aggressive, just over-excited (living in doggy social isolation without stimulation will do that, I guess).  He gets on fine with my two shih tzus, now he knows them.

But when we are out walking, and we see another dog, he goes into this barking frenzy.

I have discovered that if I see the other dog first, and move to be standing or walking between Rolly and the 'enemy' he stays calm.  stays quiet.  and just trots along without a care in the world.

Perhaps he just feels more comfortable with someone between him and the other dog.

Edited by Crinkly
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PipsMom

Totally understand your concerns and flustration to nip it in the bud before it goes over the top.I got the same problem with my rescue and nothing I'm doing is helping and even spent best part of last night searching for answers too. Hope someone with more experience can guide both of us in what to do.

This is the last web site I found last night about it...sharing with you so we can learn together.

http://blog.smartanimaltraining.com/2014/04/15/reactivity-and-aggression-in-dogs-managing-and-treating/

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I totally agree with Crinkly about making sure you and your DH don't tense up when you see the dog.  Especially whoever is holding Riley's leash.  It's unbelievable how dogs will pick up on even the slightest tightening up on the leash!  It's just like sending a "Danger! Danger!" signal.

Since he's just reacting to one dog can you let them have a meet and greet?  That might be enough to stop it?  If not I'd load up on some really good treats and have them at the ready in case you spot the dog again.  And then start giving them to RIley quickly and steadily.  Repeat, repeat, repeat so he eventually associates that dog with yummy, good stuff.

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Missysmom

So sorry to hear of your situation with Riley Alex. I too have no advice but am keeping you in my thoughts and hoping this can be resolved for you soon.

Good article Crystal, thanks for posting. I want to study that one a bit more.

We too have some issues in this department but unlike you guys situation Missy is more like me, doesn't do anything when it happens but then over thinks about what she'd do if it happens again! So now when we walk by the dogs houses that jumped one her or heaven forbid tried to sniff her butt she stares at the houses like daring them to come out! Really rather funny to see but I do want to stop her 'stalking' their houses.

I too am anxious to see what others have to say and to learn how to handle these situations. They do seem to have a rock solid memory.

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PipsMom

So sorry to hear of your situation with Riley Alex. I too have no advice but am keeping you in my thoughts and hoping this can be resolved for you soon.

Good article Crystal, thanks for posting. I want to study that one a bit more.

We too have some issues in this department but unlike you guys situation Missy is more like me, doesn't do anything when it happens but then over thinks about what she'd do if it happens again! So now when we walk by the dogs houses that jumped one her or heaven forbid tried to sniff her butt she stares at the houses like daring them to come out! Really rather funny to see but I do want to stop her 'stalking' their houses.

I too am anxious to see what others have to say and to learn how to handle these situations. They do seem to have a rock solid memory.

Once I get my head around what the real problem is, why it's getting worse and how to stop it I will make another topic instead of hijacking Riley's. She's got my head spinning so fast I can't think right now. :blink:

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Summerangel

I totally agree with Crinkly about making sure you and your DH don't tense up when you see the dog.  Especially whoever is holding Riley's leash.  It's unbelievable how dogs will pick up on even the slightest tightening up on the leash!  It's just like sending a "Danger! Danger!" signal.

Since he's just reacting to one dog can you let them have a meet and greet?  That might be enough to stop it?  If not I'd load up on some really good treats and have them at the ready in case you spot the dog again.  And then start giving them to RIley quickly and steadily.  Repeat, repeat, repeat so he eventually associates that dog with yummy, good stuff.

I did what is suggested above. 

Soon as I saw a dog I would start giving them some yummy treats. Keep the treats coming though.. and I would let her look at the dog but still give treats. If she barked I with held it and asked her to shhhhhhh ... She is much better now.. Pulls slightly, but I think that's excitement, but I don't want it to get out of hand and so I give treats again. It was a lot at first but now I'm extending the time in between each one. 

It seems to be working for us.. But she does need reminding... 

I also tried not to send energy down the lead to her... It's hard but once the treats come out, she soon learnt.. 

 

And now the cheeky monkey... When we are out walking if she's sees a dog, she turns to look at me, just enough to say I'm being a good girl can I have treat... Lol 

Let us know what you choose to do, 

good luck 

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babybluegirl

Thanks everyone for your replies. The times Riley's reacted to the black poodle type dog it's been either my husband or myself on the end of the leash (so not always the same person). I don't feel we're sending anxious/negative signals down the leash that Riley's picking up on, as on a few occasions I didn't even see the dog, it was Riley who first noticed the dog from across the street. Obviously when we've walked Riley at night time, on occasions it's very dark so again it's hard to see the poodle from a great distance until it's too late.

I will look and read that website Crystal, thanks. I'll load up on yummy treats too Julia :)  I wonder if a meet and greet would be good with the other dog and his owner :) thanks Pawz4me for the suggestion.

Last night when we took Riley for a walk, we didn't come across one dog, so let's see about tonight.

babybluegirl 

7:07am 

 

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babybluegirl

Hi Everyone,

Just popping by to say that since the incident, we haven't seen the black poodle at all on our walks.  However, during the day, my neighbour did take out his dog and Riley and apparently they did come across the black poodle.  He said a firm "NO" to Riley and apparently that did the trick?!?  Let's hope that works if we're out with Riley when we come across the dog.

Today Riley had a play date over the park with four of his nice doggy friends :)  He ran around the park chasing the other dogs/was chased and since returning home since 1:30pm, I haven't heard/seen a peep from him!  He's absolutely exhausted, lol.

babybluegirl

5:40pm

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PipsMom

:groan: I'm going through major withdrawals :weeping:....

We need a picture of sweet little Riley!  Pretty Please :wub:

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babybluegirl

Thanks everyone for your comments, yes, Riley must have scared that black poodle away! lol.

So when we first got Riley last August, my husband said that Riley wouldn't be allowed up on the sofa.... that didn't last long ;)

Riley isn't allowed upstairs.... that's now not the case...

Riley isn't allowed on our bed... see picture below, lol:

 

Riley_On_Our_Bed.thumb.jpg.19d56f45a9a2d

Thought you might like to see what Riley looks like seeing as you've missed him Crystal...

babybluegirl

1:28pm

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Missysmom

Awww Riley you little cutie, I Knew you'd win over your daddy with time, who could resist you!! :thumbup: Love your pic, you look like you're in heaven sweetie!

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PipsMom

Awww there he is :cloud9: Gorgeous and stil growing...he looks so long all laid out 

Kissy?Kissy, ?Kissy? Riley

Thank you Alex, you just made me very happy :P

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Crinkly

Lol.

oh yes.

no dogs on sofa!

no dogs on bed!

yeah right.  We atarted out that way too.

at the moment, i am sitting on the sofa, Cato on my lap.  Tara by my side.  Unable to move my legs without disturbing Cato's snores.

Mind you, the cat OWNS the bed.  We are lucky to be allowed on it, so the dogs are better in their pen in the corner of the bedroom.  I sleep better knowing they are not going to get splatted by a bored cat!

Edited by Crinkly
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  • 1 month later...
babybluegirl

This morning we went out for a walk and on the way home we saw the black poodle.  Very proud of Riley, they saw each other and Riley was going to react to him, but I carried on and so did Riley, so no barking, just an acknowledgement that they saw each other - he wasn't over the moon!  We carried on with our walk and the man and his black poodle held back so there was a huge distance between us :)

babybluegirl

3:15pm

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