Tips for Introducing 2 1/2 year old GSD to other dogs?

[syracusescandal]

I have a 2 1/2 year-old, spayed female, German Shepherd Dog. We have had her since she was about 8-9 weeks old, always introduced her to our friends, different houses, different areas, dog parks, children, neighbors, and other dogs.

However she grew a mistrust of certain dogs, and I don't think she knows how to greet dogs correctly to spark a mutual curiosity, and begin a friendly playtime. She will tend to rush up to another dog, stop suddenly, push her back up, hair raises, sniff then start barking excitedly at it. I don't want to say it's aggression- she has never been in a fight, or hurt anyone intentionally (she's big so accidents happen- but no bites, attacks, aggressive behavior). She has been attacked by neighboorhood dogs before, however I don't want to say thats part of it because I know dogs live "in the now" so to speak, and I think a mature dog would be able to put it behind her and react normally to dogs.

She is young still, very exited, very happy. Sometimes I think he intentions are good but she is so big that not greeting other dogs calmly sparks an unwanted reaction in them and causes her misbehavior.

We just moved across country, and have been introducing her to everyone we come across, but only met one dog. A very friendly well behaved chow. My GSD reacted and barked at it, this could have been my energy as I was introducing her to some kids, and their dog came out from the porch. This incident has made my goal to be able to walk my dog over one day, and introduce it to the chow properly, and let them play around the kids. (My dog LOVES kids and LOVES play.) But I would like to do it the right way, one try, and have the parents involved so that we can be on the same page and they can know my dog is ok to be around the kids and the dog.

We keep Ava (GSD) exercised through the day- bike ride in the morning, fetch throughout the day, a few small walks to smell the neighborhood, and a bike at night.

Does anyone have tips or instructions on how to introduce two dogs, in a way that will lead to positive reinforcement, and friendly play? I love to take Ava places but sometimes her behavior towards other dogs is all that stops me. I really want to tackle this issue so I can make sure she is as well rounded as possible.

Once I feel we have resolved this issue I am eager to put her in Schutzand or sheep herding training I love to do activities with her and I'm getting to know her better each day and how to control her with simply my behavior. However... since I'm not a dog I could really use some help on this one!

Thanks!!

-Eden

 

[Jazzeei Lady]

my dog does the same thing, he will run up to someone, and then kinda pounce i guess and bark a lot. It's his way of playing

 

[Robert]

so she runs up to other dogs, standing tall, hair raised and starts barking. she trying to dominate that dog. not aggression but trying to pick a fight for sure.
say you take her to a dog park. when she rushes over and does that take her out of the park. and dont let her back in until she calms down. you need her to understand that as long as she acts like that she will not be allowed interact with other dogs. once she does what you want her to do then leave her be and give her praise. but say she greets the first dog fine but the second dog she does what she always does then out of the park until she calms down. you can slip up because she will take advantage of it.

 

[JASPER]

Hi, I actually volunteer at a dog shelter and help with the walking and training of the dogs. What you are describing does not sound like aggression, it sounds like your dog does not know how to meet another dog and gets over excited to meet a new dog. At my animal shelter we have a program where we can sign the animals out and take them to public places so that we can assess them in real life situations and let people know they are up for adoption. I recently signed out a doberman that would behave in the manner that you are describing, although she was silent....however, the noise you are describing is typical for the German Shepard breed, and this is the sort of behavior that would cause another dog to become "upset" (i.e. possibly attack her). With her, I would walk very slowly to the other dog and ensure that she was heeling beside me. If she started pulling we would stop walking until she calmed down. In your case your likely to get some anxious barking at this point, make sure you disagree with this behavior. Once calm she can greet the dog, if she starts to bark again when meeting the dog, move away slightly and put her into a sit and wait her out until she becomes calm again. This will take time and patience and having other well behaved dogs and agreeable owners are an asset. However, over time she will learn to not "rush" dogs to meet them.