Dogs and Puppies

David M asked:


I have a 1 1/2 year old chihuahua/terrier mix. He gets really nervous and scared around other dogs his size. Now he is fine at home with my other dog who is his size, but not stranger dogs. I take him to the local dog park to try to get him used to other dogs but he still seems scared and is very shy and nervous around other dogs. What can I do?

Marcos P asked:


Here is the problem,when my dog sees another dog he barks and cries because I think he is trying to get close.When he gets close he starts to growl and barks.I take him out for walks everyday and would take him to the dog park every weekend,but I stopped because he was aggressive towards other dogs.He is obedience trained.How can I get him to stop being aggressive?
He is a 11 month old Male German Shepherd.

symbo61 asked:


We’ve been taking our 5 month old Boxer Cross to the dog park for a few weeks now. Almost every dog there plays very well with him, or just ignores him as older dogs will do.

However, there is this one 2 year old Husky that will single him out, run him down, grab his throat, slam him to the ground and hold him there until someone pulls him off. There could be 20 other dogs at the park, but as soon as our dog makes his entrance we’ll see this Husky come running from the other side of the park to take him down.

We understand the dominance factor and that the Husky may be trying to set the tone and let my dog know who’s boss. But other pups and dogs who show up never get the same kind of “welcome” from the Husky as ours does.

What behavior could my dog be exerting to warrant this action from the Husky? Our dog is NOT aggressive, but is fearless and will welcome play from any dog of any size. So when he sees the Husky coming he play poses, but the Husky just takes him down.
The trouble is we like to take him to the park after work, it’s dark by 7ish, so 6-7 is really the best time for us. Which is clearly the best time for the Husky owner as well. It will be easier come spring as we can go later with no issue. But for now it’s our only option.

I should also mention that last night the husky actually picked up our dog by the throat and swung him a bit like a rag doll. He’d done this once before when our pup had a coat on. The husky grabbed the coat and shook him vigorously.
Our pup goes submissive right away when confronted by the Husky. But it will go on for 15-20 minutes before the Husky gets bored with him. Admittedly, one freed our pup will run after the Husky a few times before figuring out it is to no avail. Then her will try to avoid him. But if the Husky sees him playing with another dog he will run and take him down…again and again.

irbk asked:


My dog obey’s me ok at home and at the dog park. That is until we get around other dogs. Once she starts running around with other dogs, she completely ignores me. It’s ok that she runs around with other dogs and they all play well together, but I need to make sure she stays some what close to me and will come when called. Any suggestions on how to get her to obey a “come” command when she’s around other dogs?

q&aG!RL asked:


My 6 month AB/Lab mix LOVES going to the dog park. We take her a couple times a week. But my husband wants to take her more often, I’m personally afraid she will pick up bad habits.

I have heard other dog owners say that their dog has become defensive or aggressive after incidents at a dog park. She has such a sweet and mild tempermant now and I worry she will change having too much interaction with some of these dogs. What do you think?