LOL! I'm in Seattle right now and as most of you know, Lyric, my Doberman is either dog aggressive or dog reactive while on a leash. It's very embarrassing when he lunges toward other dogs, snarling and looking quite nasty. Even though I've been working with him to desensatize him, we only get to practice really, when I'm in Seattle a few times a year. I try to maintain sufficient distance and when other dogs are approaching on this heavily trafficed walking path by the water, I'll make a bit of an arc and click/treat as he maintains his composure. He does quite well as long as I pay attention and do things right.
Several visits ago, he met a little Poodle/Bishon mix down the beach where I let him go off leash. Nobody is around as it's a "private" beach. But this little dog's owner and I have sort of befriended each other and she comes out and lets her little dog play with Lyric. He just adores her. Sometimes she gets irritated with him and snarls and he backs off like, "Okay, okay."
He did meet one other dog here a long time ago, a lab/spaniel type mix...a boy, that he also liked and played with. It seems like he mostly likes little dogs best. And I notice that every Golden Retriever he sees, he's particularly ornery toward. He seems to like Poodles a lot though... or that type, large or small.
But here's the news flash. Today he met a standard poodle on the beach in front of the little dog's house that he at first barked at, but it was a "let me off this dam leash so I can go see her" kind of bark, not the usual all teeth, vicious bark. The three of us women were chatting and watching the dogs greet each other. Well, I didn't let him off the leash because I like to spend more time with the leash on and make really certain. And I thought it might be possible that he'd get jelous of this dog playing with his little toy girl friend. Anyhow, we got a little closer and I kept clicking/treating as he behaved himself. Then he went into a play bow and wagged and pounced with his slappy paws in the sand... wanting to play with her. But then the lady seemed to want to continue her walk so we parted ways. Anyhow, one more brownie point for Lyric. One more friendly encounter. Unfortunately, he didn't get enough time so that I could let him be rewarded with a fun time with the dog. That might have happened had we gotten to hang out there for another 5 or 10 minutes. But anyhow...Yeah! :lol-sign: (I know that you, with normal, dog friendly dogs think this is a ridiculous accomplishment. ROFLOL. But seriously....it's a hassle having a D/A dog! And any little sign of normalcy is a cause for celebration.)
Several visits ago, he met a little Poodle/Bishon mix down the beach where I let him go off leash. Nobody is around as it's a "private" beach. But this little dog's owner and I have sort of befriended each other and she comes out and lets her little dog play with Lyric. He just adores her. Sometimes she gets irritated with him and snarls and he backs off like, "Okay, okay."
He did meet one other dog here a long time ago, a lab/spaniel type mix...a boy, that he also liked and played with. It seems like he mostly likes little dogs best. And I notice that every Golden Retriever he sees, he's particularly ornery toward. He seems to like Poodles a lot though... or that type, large or small.
But here's the news flash. Today he met a standard poodle on the beach in front of the little dog's house that he at first barked at, but it was a "let me off this dam leash so I can go see her" kind of bark, not the usual all teeth, vicious bark. The three of us women were chatting and watching the dogs greet each other. Well, I didn't let him off the leash because I like to spend more time with the leash on and make really certain. And I thought it might be possible that he'd get jelous of this dog playing with his little toy girl friend. Anyhow, we got a little closer and I kept clicking/treating as he behaved himself. Then he went into a play bow and wagged and pounced with his slappy paws in the sand... wanting to play with her. But then the lady seemed to want to continue her walk so we parted ways. Anyhow, one more brownie point for Lyric. One more friendly encounter. Unfortunately, he didn't get enough time so that I could let him be rewarded with a fun time with the dog. That might have happened had we gotten to hang out there for another 5 or 10 minutes. But anyhow...Yeah! :lol-sign: (I know that you, with normal, dog friendly dogs think this is a ridiculous accomplishment. ROFLOL. But seriously....it's a hassle having a D/A dog! And any little sign of normalcy is a cause for celebration.)
