barking and whining

[Jim & Geraldine]

Recently Buster has started to become agitated around some dogs, he barks and whines at them and then rushes over to me whining and panting. It's not all dogs, he is very sociable with most dogs playing and running about, and there appears to be no set size or breed of dog that starts this behavior. Anyone have any ideas what could be causing this.

[Jack]

I think he's picking up on your tension at meeting an "unknown" dog. He knows you're tense so doesn't know whether to scare off the intruder, protect you or just cry. The fact that he returns to you whining and panting convinces me of this as he's seeking your reassurance it's OK and instruction of how to act in these circumstances.

To overcome this I would recommend you try not to tense up when meeting another dog, even the slightest tension on the lead will tell him to be prepared to go into this behaviour. TRY not to do it, keep the leash relaxed, you stay calm and if you are unsure of the other dog simply lead your boy in another direction and avoid them. You should notice he responds and settles back down very quickly.

If he's off the leash just call him back to you calmly but firmly and walk another way - he'll pick up that you're calm therefore won't fret so much himself. You should find he follows you unquestioningly and relaxes easily as this behaviour has only just started it's easiest to nip it in the bud than something that has been going on for a long time and is therefore habitual and learned behaviour.
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