Advice needed

[Claire/Mark]

When I am out walking Tara and we come across a man or a dog I pull in her leash which causes her to eye them up and look like she wants to eat them Is it me that causing the problems? I try and relax but obviously not, how can you be nervous but not let your dog know or can you not???

[John Thomson]

Claire.........use a ball or treat to get her to focus on you when you see a dog or person approaching.....a tight leash tells her you are stressed...she was protection trained and is just doing what she was taught.
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John Thomson
www.cumbernaulddogtraining.co.uk

[Claire/Mark]

Ok ill do that John, I know it's me that causing the problem cause I am a stressful person. I guess eventually if I always do that then she will just automatically stop doing it??

[Jack]

I agree with John (and Cesar ) on this one Claire, you're transferring your stress and tension down the tight leash to Tara.

I don't know about Tara but ALL of my lot respond best to vocal commands - I could have any toy in the world with me and if I didn't back it up with my voice they'd take no notice whatsoever. I talk to mine ALL of the time - naturally they understand EVERY word . Cesar doesn't recommend vocal signals - he thinks body language and touch is the most effective as dog pack leaders don't talk but my lot are SO responsive to the tone and inflections of my voice I'd be a fool to ignore that and not use it to my advantage - naturally I back it up with body language and touch and have the mix sussed for my lot

Personally what I would do if I were you IS what John has recommended but I'd get the toy prepared way before the person/dog approaching got anywhere near enough to cause Tara AND you to be concerned - get her interested in the toy well before the dog/human is within 10 feet of you - that way you will redirect her focus BEFORE she's had chance to go into protection mode and will be much more receptive of you and what you want her to do. Keep her focussed as they pass and praise her to the heavens carrying on the play once they've gone. Even though you are keeping the leash slacker and more relaxed you'll still have it in your hand and CAN still reel her in if you need to. Trust yourself a bit more and Tara will pick up on your confidence and more relaxed state and will respond to that
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Staffies are my life! Visit us at www.staffies.co.uk

[Claire/Mark]

Thanks Jack

[Jack]

My pleasure Claire, just hope my waffle helped a bit

Easier said than done I know - I suffer the same anxiety with my lot but I must be a mistress at hiding it from them as they have never let me down yet with how well they behave and follow my directions
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Staffies are my life! Visit us at www.staffies.co.uk

[lynn 01]

tried this myself tonight and OMG it worked. Thanks John and Caesar.
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My life belongs to a Collie

[John Thomson]

Anticipation is the key to this.........because we are taller than our dogs if we are vigilant we can see distractions before then ...and should act accordingly........
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John Thomson
www.cumbernaulddogtraining.co.uk

[jackdeb]

Well done Claire. Keep at it, you'll get there.

I need a dog that knows what I am thinking.

A wee bit like Debbie knows.

Jack
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springers rule!!! our house

[Lisa/Colin]

Hektor does this too...he gets really focussed on the other dog and I try to keep the lead loose and give a sharp correction along with saying 'leave it'. I havent managed to get past a dog without a correction yet, but hope someday that will happen.
I still cross the road or give the dog a wide berth if there is space...coward i know...

[shirley c]

I do to at times Lisa, with Scooby, but I dont think people probably look at Scooby the same way compared to what the looks you must get with Hektor....Scooby is a whippet
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lurchers Pixel and Zev and whippet, Fen
3 cats, Greebo, Yu and Lexx - 2 ferrets and Dales pony Jazz and adopted pony, April

[Jack]

Very strong willed dogs are constantly going to be testing the boundaries. The only thing you can do is be consistent and show them that THEY will get bored of it before you will. I never thought we'd overcome the issue of Ella trying to eat the cats but we have - she still has her moments and I STILL watch her very carefully but now they can pass her very closely with her just watching them (not in prey mode) and we even have the odd occassion where she will tolerate them sharing the same bed as her - so long as they don't get right up next to her or try to peddle her we're fine. I never thought we'd see that to be honest
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Staffies are my life! Visit us at www.staffies.co.uk

[Claire/Mark]

Tried all this with Tara it does work although she does still try but did help, only problem was had to do it with Mylo to as he wanted the treat to will keep doing it hopefully we all get there in the end

[Jack]

Gotta love Mylo for trying to get in on the act!!!

Glad it helped Claire - keep at it, all being well in time you won't have to even worry about toys or treats but great that you've noticed a difference already!!!
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Staffies are my life! Visit us at www.staffies.co.uk

[graceb]

This was something that I had been pondering about, as that's what I do when dogs people are about that are distracting to Dexter, feeding treats as we were passing people has been a great help in him not eyeing everybody as suspisious although he still has his moments. If its a dog then i'm best distracting him with his ball on rope toy. But I did wonder if I was curing the problem or just masking it I do sometimes don't use food or toy and just tell him to leave it especially if we have to pass close.
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Grace & Dexter