obedience class mishap

[sharondawson]

My 7 month old boxer has just got back from her 3rd obedience clas. She has done really well but when we let the dogs play Juno jumped on a german shepherd and a fight nearly broke out. The trainer said she will probably get savaged by another dog if she keeps being disresptfull to other dogs.
Will me correcting her help her get over this?
Any advice greatly appreciated.
I have a 2 year old kerry blue mix but at home Juno is the boss and will not leave him alone, he just takes it and never complains. Do I stop her?

 

[gmacleod]

You intervening can help a bit - but intervening shouldn't mean punishment (which is what people usually mean when they use the word "correction" ). It would be FAR more effective to intervene by removing her from the situation when she's behaving badly, take her off on her own for a little bit and do some quick training exercises - then let her back to play again. If you need to, keep stepping in and taking her off to do a little work. Eventually she should start getting the message that if she doesn't play nicely, then she doesn't play at all (the training exercises are really for avoidance of boredom or fixating on the situation you've removed her from, and also for having her work and receive rewards which can help improve her frame of mind).

That's one thing you can do. But I'd also recommend that you consider finding her some play time with another dog (or more than one other dog, though not necessarily more than one at a time) that is (a) an adult (definitely not a puppy) and (b) a confident, strong and good natured animal. What this dog is for is putting her in her place nicely but firmly

All adolescents (and yours is definitely an adolescent) need adult guidance to learn how to behave in social situations. Adolescent dogs, like humans, can be a bit in-your-face and it takes time to learn more sophisticated behaviour. Generally they DO learn - but as your trainer suggests, it can be via a bad reaction from a less tolerant adult. Thus, if you know anyone with an adult dog (doesn't need to be a big dog, but it does need to be a confident, calm and dominant dog) that you can use for socialisation and education of your adolescent, then scheduling some regular playtime would be a very good idea.

 

[sharondawson]

Thanks for the advice. At the moment when we are passing dogs on our walk I get her to sit and lie down and give her a treat. By the time she has done this the other dog has passed and we continue. She does great with this.
The only problem I have at the moment is she plays with my kerry blue mix who is a pushover and my sister's 8 month old pup ( which is a nightmare as they wrestle the whole time ).
As yet I dont know anyone with an adult dog that she can play with.
I might have a chat with the trainer he might have a solution.
Will let you know how I get on

 

[HokieGirl]

Rocki is the same way. I have started the sit thing on walks when another dog passess but it is challenging. She is 11 months and so very strong. She just wants to play. She is timid meeting new dogs the first time and is respectful but after that no-holds-bar - she will jump on them with her greeting. This has not caused her any trouble as of yet but I am waiting until she does it to the wrong dog. We take her to the dog park where she does pretty well but sheesh that walk is hard on her.

 

[sharondawson]

I know the feeling.
Im lucky with Juno because she loves food and will ignore any dog however tempting for a treat.
Hope that continues

 

[HokieGirl]

The only time Rocki is not food/toy motivated is when there is another dog or one of those short people (kids) around.

 

[Box Boys]

You might inquire from other people in Juno's class to see if they have any adult dogs that you could arrange a play date with. Speaking to the instructor would be a good idea and he/she may have more options as well for you. Perhaps he/she also has an adult dog and he/she would be willing to work with you and Juno outside of your regular classes. Good luck. Our boxers can be rather exuberant and playful - and forceful at times. Other breeds of dogs (from what I've noticed) don't often "play" the same way as our boxers do.