Hi... Skye's our 6 months old bitch (been spayed) - very loving, great with my 10 yr old son, loves children, great with other dogs... BUT... recently I've had to grab her away from smaller dogs as she sometimes just starts snarling and snapping (she grabbed one Spaniel puppy by the  neck!!!) and today she did it again with a 7 month old mini Pinscher! I was watching her carefully, and grabbed her and told her NOOOOOO! and put her straight back on her lead... the other owner was fine about it - said her dog needs to be put in his place too (which I know my one needs!!!)..  but I was mortified, angry and upset!

Any tips?? I'm worried that this is escalating - I'm not at all concerned about her with bigger dogs, but this has to be stamped out NOW.

When I put her on the lead she walked absolutely to heel, no pulling, no mucking about - so she was being submissive after being told off, but what would you do to avoid this?

Should I keep her away from smaller breeds? Put her on lead near them?

We are starting puppy training in about 3 weeks, and I will be asking this of them at the start, but in the meantime, I'm keeping a close eye on her, and considering putting her on lead when she's near a smaller dog (if she doesn't just keep away altogether)...

I should add - today's incident went like this... we met 3 girls with this lovely puppy... he was on his lead... Skye went up to say "hello"... had a sniff and was fine... so I thought... then the other dog jumped up at one of the girls with him and Skye flew at him!

No excuses for it... but is there something there I have missed???

Thanks in advance!

K x

Ty Muze... very much appreciate the tips!

I will try the "watch" command thing, see how that goes. So far with any training she's been really quick to pick it up.

I see your point about her not being "submissive" but perhaps fearful... I try very much not to be over stern with her, but I do realise that today I reacted quickly and the NO was probably more stern than usual, which might have scared her. I really acted instinctively, but acknowledge this point.

I think keeping her on the lead near small dogs is a good idea for now... until we see how things progress. I will also try not to project my worries when we are near them - as I am concerned about doing that too!

Will try all this and see how things go.

Ty!

K

Ty Mattie...

I have wondered about her early puppyhood - as we rescued her from the person who bought her, so don't know when exactly she was taken away from mum, or the size of the litter... or anything to be honest.

Until recently, though, she'd been really fine with EVERY dog we'd met... she socialises a lot off the lead on walks. I'm now commanding her to "WAIT" when I see a smaller dog, so not letting her run straight up to them. I have to be near her to keep an eye, and twice yesterday I didn't let her go near them (purely by commanding her to WAIT - she sits / lies down, then releasing her from it once they were further away.

For now I feel I have to err on the side of caution with her, and keep her in a more "controlled" manner near little dogs - ie. on the lead / made to WAIT.