Comments | dogsintraining: Socialization issue?

coffeeforone in dogsintraining

Socialization issue?

Dec 11, 2008 09:59

Hi there,

I adopted a two year old Mini Eskie back in March from a breeder. He was one of the shyest dogs of the bunch so I think he might have had some socialization issues growing up :( Anyway, he is a sweet and loving dog to me, but not the typical friendly dog with others.

I can't decide if he's being aggressive or fearful in certain situations ( Read more... )

socialization

Comments 10

embermwe December 11 2008, 22:58:58 UTC

Sometimes if a dog approaches he'll get into position (err.. like a spinx?), like he's ready to jump!

Is this the position you are speaking of?
http://www.bozotheyellowlab.net/Images/Play%20Bow.JPG

If so, it is an invitation to the other dog to play.

coffeeforone December 11 2008, 23:49:05 UTC

Yes, and sometimes his butt is down too. I guess that's a good thing, but other dogs are pretty chill and content with just sniffing butt, but my dog gets overly excited!

embermwe December 12 2008, 00:42:02 UTC

I would guess he is excited because there may be an opportunity to
play with the other dog. Perhaps he is nervous because he is not
quite sure/experienced about how to go about that.
(Think JrHighschooler on his first date...)
If this is the case, more reasonably controlled socialization
experiences with other dogs will help his confidence/calm.

beatlemania78 December 12 2008, 00:05:15 UTC

Sounds like the stalking position that herding dogs adopt. I find I like to encourage that position and have them use it as a down-stay to greet. Some dogs are more comfortable in a down-stay rather than a sit-stay.

Clicker training would probably help the walking. Click to Calm is a great book to use. Reward automatic check-ins or train a "watch me" command. Same with with cars and joggers and bikers.

It's funny b/c if you didn't say he was an eskimo dog, I would have suspected he WAS a herding breed:) The nipping, the chasing the down-stay position.

When you say he "jump"ed other dogs in the class, what exactly do you mean? Biting? Playing? Humping?

coffeeforone December 12 2008, 02:35:39 UTC

Probably more playing than anything. I've never seen him hump or bite other dogs at the dog park. However, he always stood out among the dogs in class because it seemed like he would bum rush other dogs!

xianghua December 12 2008, 00:33:00 UTC

Perfectly normal dog. :)

(beatlemania, Eskies WERE a herding breed- they're descended from the German Spitz, which is itself the German answer to a Sheltie- a small, all-purpose farm dog. Eskies are currently provisionally accepted to AHBA events, IIRC, and many of them DO have herding instinct. All that said? Dogs don't herd other dogs. They play with them, which may incorporate some stalking and driving behaviors but does NOT mean there is or is not herding instinct.)

I'd keep up with the classes, as I think you're on the right track. "Click to Calm" is a great book, but you might also really enjoy "Control Unleashed", and if you've got a CU class or a 'focus' class locally, I think you'd REALLY enjoy it and it'd give him some confidence and a 'structure' for dealing with strange people in.

cottonmanifesto December 12 2008, 01:08:01 UTC

totally agreed.

coffeeforone December 12 2008, 02:33:30 UTC

Thank you for the reading suggestions and I am so glad to hear my dog is normal! He's very different from the dogs I've had in the past and this is my first time where I'm the sole owner so I've definitely learned a lot in the process :)

silverblaidd December 12 2008, 01:17:47 UTC

1. It sounds like he's so revved up to see other dogs, he just gets over stimulated. He may even be getting anxious about it. This happens a lot when a dog sees another dog, gets excited, and then gets taken away without ever getting to interact with the other dog. As a result, he sees another dog, gets even MORE excited, and the cycle gets worse because he's repeatedly being denied interaction with other dogs ( ... )

coffeeforone December 12 2008, 02:30:30 UTC

Thanks for your input, I do agree he almost gets so excited he's anxious when he sees other dogs. It takes a while for him to really calm down.

I don't bring my dog park to just let him run loose and go nuts. I do watch him as I am aware that there are plenty of pet owners WHO DON'T. I think paired with the classes, I've noticed a dramatic change in his interaction with other dogs. It's also a great time for me to test his recall (he has really impressed me :))

Just to clarify #5, let's say we have a random person walking towards us, my dog will try and go up to him (either to nip or smell or what - I'm not too sure). However, if the person tries and reach out to him, he'll basically act terrified and avoid the person. Sometimes he will bark.

I'd like to continue with the dog classes and pick up some reading for now, but definitely considering a trainer as well.