[BELLA]

tomorrow I have my own dog whisperer coming to my house. I have battled with the leash aggression far too long with Bella. Everytime she and I come up to another dog on a leash, she gets snarly and it has to stop. I cannot even have a conversation with a fellow dog walker w/o Bella trying to chew the other dogs neck. The man I have coming says he can help but I have to try to find some dog walkers and with this cold weather, it will be hard to find some. It seems like all the walkers have disappeared and are in hiding. Has anyone used a behavourist? Did it help? He is driving 140 miles to where I live and he is quite willing to help.
The final straw was over the weekend--we were camping and everytime we walked Bella and saw another dog, she tried to be the boss--so we said, thats it, we need help. Its either this or Bella wearing a shock collar all the time. I hope this works .

 

[Karen519]

Bella

BELLA

Good luck glad behaviorist is coming.

I am not even close to being experienced as others on this forum, so I am hoping they can give you some pointers.

How old is Bella? How old was she when you got her?
I am thinking maybe she was taken from her Mother to young and lacks socialization.
When you say she chews on another dogs neck, is it in a playful way or threatening way?
I know from Watching Cesar Milan, the tighter you hold the leash it tells your dog there is something to be afraid of and it can cause bad behavior.

As I said, gather other opinions and also if you Google, I am sure you can find tons of tips on dealing with leash aggressionl
http://search.comcast.net/?cat=Web&con=homepage&q=Leash+Aggression

Leash Aggression in Dogs: Kathy Sdao - Bright Spot Dog Training
These leash-aggressive dogs can switch from calm to Cujo in an instant. ... To understand what's fueling your dog's leash aggression, consider this formula: ...
http://www.kathysdao.com/articles/Leash_Aggression_in_Dogs.html - 12k - Cached - Similar pages
How to Prevent Leash Aggression | eHow.com
Dec 13, 2007 ... Leash aggression is a common behavioral problem. ... If your dog does not listen to you while he is on his leash, get training. ...
http://www.ehow.com/how_2142506_prevent-leash-aggression.html - 57k - Cached - Similar pages
Leash Aggression | Dog Star Daily
Michelle Douglas (photo is Bailey - Lure-walking) Leash Frustration or 'Leash Aggression' is a very aggressive-looking reaction to other dogs (or people) ...
http://www.dogstardaily.com/blogs/leash-aggression - 62k - Cached - Similar pages
Canine University: News -- Canine Behavior - Avoiding On Leash Dog ...
I personally believe that many cases of on leash dog aggression get started this way. ... On leash aggression problems can be avoided if you, as your dog's ...
http://www.canineuniversity.com/articles/behavior/behave_10.html - 10k - Cached - Similar pages
Leash Aggression
I get more calls about leash aggression than any other behavior problem. ... about why their dog is leash aggressive, but it is a problem that can be ...
http://www.pawsitiveexperience.com/Pawsitive_Experience/Training_Tips_files/Leash Aggression.pdf - - Cached - Similar pages

 

[amy22]

I hope that the behaviorist can help you and Bella. Im sure this is a difficult situation for you and you have done everything you can do. Please let us know how this goes.
good luck!

 

[BeauShel]

Good luck with the behaviorist.

 

[Pudden]

Pudden had that exact same problem when I got her. She'd lunge and rage at every dog we saw. It was quite embarassing. I worked with her, and she's (almost) normal now, so yeah, there's hope.

I like Patricia McConnell's books, e.g., "feisty feido" on how to address it.

Good luck with the behaviorist. Just be careful. If he starts going on all about dominance and you having to be the pack leader, grab Bella and run to the hills.

 

[LuckyPup]

Good Luck! I hope this works for Bella.

 

[Pudden]

for my money, this lady is right on:

Quote "Providing opportunities for leash-aggressive dogs to interact off-leash with a variety of dogs on a regular basis can help defuse their “WOW, WOW, WOW—it’s another dog !!!” reaction on walks."

from:
http://www.kathysdao.com/articles/Leash_Aggression_in_Dogs.html

that's exactly the strategy that helped Pudden. She hadn't been socialized properly in her pre-mama days, and the sight of every dog would throw her in a tizzy. The only way to greet other dogs that she knew was to body-slam them like a happy drunk and climb on their heads.

After I made sure we had supervised meetings and intros with just about every dog we met, including off-leash play in dog parks and among friends, she got less interested in strange dogs and no longer reacted so highly.

She'll still have an occasional relapse (see our recent ankle biter experience), but for the most part, she's fine now.

 

[BELLA]

Bella does fine with dogs OFF leash--she plays really well that way. Its the walking on a leash part that is the problem. There are many areas that I have to keep her leashed and when we meet up with another leashed dog, well, all teeth come into view. I am taking a big leap of faith with this guy coming here---he's young but supposed to be trained--he comes recommended--and he is willing to drive 140 mi one way for not much $$----I really do not know what I am getting myself into--I just hope I learn something and am not disappointed.

 

[amy22]

I hope you are not disappointed eithere. please let us know how it goes.
I think that if he is wiling to drive that far he must be sure that he can help. good luck!