Do you ever wrestle yourself over care?

[lisajazz]

Does that even make sense?

I am always checking myself over their care. Like today on the walk - never let them off on this walk too many unknowns. But every dog we went passed that i got a slight vibe from I picked them up. I picked Rez up at EVERY dog as last week he nipped a spaniel pup on the nose and I'm worried he's going to get himself hurt.

I WANT to let them socialise more - I know they need it. But problem is Rez growls straight away and Pixel is sometimes great and sometimes not.

Is there a right and wrong?

[brodysmom]

Are they picking up on your anxiety? They are so sensitive to our feelings. Perhaps they feel that anxious vibe coming from you, especially if you see a dog coming and then pick them up. That would make them defensive and much more likely to act out aggressively.

I used to do the same thing.... I'd pick up Brody if I saw a dog coming. Then I noticed that it was making him more anxious. So now I leave him on lead, tell him quietly and calmly to "leave it" and walk on by like it's totally normal and nothing to be on edge about. He takes his cues from me for sure. If the people have a friendly dog, I let them sniff and greet and then we move on our way. The more positive experiences you can have, the better.

Tight leads though can lead to that snappy behavior. When they're trying to sniff and you are pulling back, ready to jerk them away, etc. That can actually cause them to lash out. I try to leave the leash pretty relaxed and loose if I can.

I ALWAYS have Brody on the ground to meet new people. If I'm holding him and someone comes over to see him, I plunk him down on the ground immediately. That way he doesn't feel protective of me. When he's in my arms, he's much more macho and ready to grumble. But on the ground, he's friendly as can be.

You kind of have to try different things and see what works for you. But definitely try and be (or at least ACT) relaxed and easy going as they pick up on that.

[Sarah]

Oh I only pick up with dogs off lead because they are unpredicatable and clumsy around here and I find if they are charging mine start making a whole bunch of noise. Also if I can see daisy is anxious I know to get them out the way because she loves all dogs. Lotus is bad, she gets so loud and is terrible on a lead am sure she feels she is protecting everyone, unfortunately she goes after people on her lead if they walk towards her, she seems to pick and choose who she wants to have ago at but she gets v jumpy and loud!


OMG LEILANI HAS CUT 2 teeth!! At the top I can just see them!!!! Think I will have to get her puppy teeth pulled or do it myself though as it's way behind (she went quite overshot a couple of weeks back and I was traumatised) but these two teeth line up perfectly I am so happy I have been driving Louise and Kristi mad about it!!! Shame they won't grow down by the weekend though! Never mind!