Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi, i have just returned from agility training with the local dog training club. it was only myself and the instructors with their dogs just having fun. my australian cattle dog, lola, hasnt been taught how to do agility properly (she jumps and goes over the A-frame and dogwalk) so this was my first lesson on how to properly Teach her.there is only one problem.. she doesnt like other dogs very much. she sniffed a few of them but then started growling and lunged towards them, not to bite but to sort of shove them. she is a year old and is obedient, but i want to know if she will stop doing this over time when she is socialised. its hard to socialise when she doesnt want to be friendly. i felt bad, having the only unfriendly dog. she is fine with people. has anyone had this experience before, and has the dog stopped it after good socialisation? im worried i wont be able to do agility due to her agression. thanks for any help.

...if just continued classes will help socialize her. First, some dogs on leash are just not good when their personal space is invaded. The dog feels trapped and can't do a proper dog/dog introduction on leash. A book called "Feisty Fido" can help with on leash dog aggression. Yet, some dogs really prefer just not to interact on leash with other dogs. I find my dog works better if I make class time "work time" and other times are play time. Just like you go to work and don't necessarily want to go out for cocktails with all your co-workers, you dog doesn't have to either. There's nothing wrong with protecting your dog's personal space in a class situation. Your dog might thank you for it. If you do it, your dog doesn't feel she has to. Keep the leash loose around other dogs and verbally tell other dog owners you dog requires some space. Also, during these moments, treat your dog for not reacting at all. Quite literally treat your dog for sitting there and doing nothing. That's exactly what you are looking for. There are a few other techniques that work as well for desensitization to dogs- especially if the problems are fear based. "The Cautious Canine" goes into those techniques.

Now, off-leash is a different story. If your dog is not well behaved off-leash in the presence of other dogs your work is harder. Agility is 'controlled chaos' sometimes. Dogs in training break from their owners and romp around. You don't want your dog picking a fight with the dogs that are waiting (if your dog is prone to that). So you would have to work extra hard on attention and think about the safety of the other dogs if you made an error. Poor socialization is something that can be remedied, but an adult dog is no longer a puppy and it takes time. Also, have your vet check your pup for any medical conditions. Agility puts stress on the body and small things can be magnified with the activity. It might make your dog grouchier than usual. Pain is often overlooked and dismissed as a cause for aggression, yet it is very real. Hope that helps a bit.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita (the shiba inu), Adi (rescue tabby cat), and all the reptiles

Thanks for your help, but since I wrote the first post alot of decisions have been made.
My dog is fine off leash, I know she is uncomfortable when its an on-leash meeting situation. The dogs crowd her and she doesn't like it. Obviously repeated socialisation exposure will help, I was just worried it might become embedded in her that this pushy behaviour is right. I pat and talk to her when she is calm, and say NO in a big voice when she is naughty. She has already established that this means her behaviour is bad. I told the instructors that she hasn't had much on-leash socialisation, and they saw how she reacted, but didn't help me correct it. They were too busy chatting to notice their dogs getting too close to mine and when I moved her they would follow.
As far as the physical condition goes, at the moment she is going through tunnels and over a jump about 20cm high. I work at a Vet surgery and know she is in good condition (aren't I lucky ). And as far as the cocktails go.. I'm only 17 hehe. Although I am in Australia so that means I only have to wait till I'm 18.
Enough of the rambling, I've made the decision to postpone agility and brush up on obedience. I think I will leave it as something to do when there is nothing else going on, it was only a spur of the moment idea. I'll stick to the large animals and concentrate on my vet nurse traineeship next year.
Thanks again, but agility isnt for me. The dog business is totally different to the horse and cattle business! hehe
Take care,
Carlee.