Doggy Anxiety

[ZRXDean]

Hi!

We just fostered-to-adopt a 4yo female Boxer. Things have been going great overall but we have some concerns (not deal breakers IMO).

When out for walks she goes ballistic upon seeing another dog. No growling or aggression, just a strong desire to check out the other dog. The one dog that we've approached there was some excited sniffing and since it was smaller - she seemed be playing the Alpha Dog role (quite frankly I'm no expert but she seemed to be running the meeting)

My question is this:

Do I enroll her in obedience training (we want to) despite my concerns about her anxiety or try some of the distraction/calming techniques I've discovered first? I'm horrified at the thought of an incident at doggy school but at the same time can't help but thinking everything will be fine.

This also makes me wonder how things will go at the vet if there's other dogs around.....

Interested in hearing the thoughts of the collective!

-Dean

 

[caruse]

I am not an expert, but saome others with more experience may also advise you...
I think the checking out is normal...I would rather that then the aggressive behavior you say he doesn't have...
taking him to obedience will be helpful for both the dog (behavior and controlled socialization) and you to help learn the tools to needed to help in the training...
A good trainer would meet with all the owners first without the dogs to discuss concerns ect...and maybe group them accordingly....
good luck and enjoy!!
Barbaralovicon

 

[palemask]

Anxiety

Hey, my boxers do this also. Oh! petsmart, I always correct. Still ..inquiring boxers want to know. My male is 4, my female is 3 and my other female is 15 months. I have done some research and read that a dog evaluates by sniffing, they know if the other dog is sick, male,female, everything. It is normal although annoying for us.