The earlier question about what dog food to feed (something I still struggle with!) reminded me to ask my own pooch puzzler.
We adopted a 5 year old male dalmatian in October from our local shelter. This is not our first male dalmatian, but is the first adopted as an adult. Needless to say, he comes with a bit of baggage, most of which I have no trouble handling.
However the one thing I can't seem to tame is his reaction/possible aggressiveness towards other dogs, particularly small dogs. He was listed as "no dogs" in the shelter, meaning a home with other dogs would not be a good fit for him. No problem, he's the only one.
We walk or run every day, about 70% of the time with other dogs over 55 lbs (he was 93 lbs when we got him but slimmed down to 85 already). He is very used to these dogs and after their initial meetings where he barked his head off for about 4 minutes, calmed down and now doesn't utter a peep when we start out together. However, I cannot take him off-leash or have a dog over to play, even after spending an hour walk/run with these dogs that he "knows." I can't even let him sniff them for more than a second. I simply don't trust him. He is a bit jumpy/anxious and there are times he approaches them while we are out and I don't know if he wants to play or fight so I keep a very keen eye on him and monitor his body language, adjusting his leash or my hold to keep the other dog out of reach. Most of the time, the dogs can sniff the same tree together, get a drink, walk side by side or even cross paths, but there is always one moment that tensions run high. That moment is one too many. Our previous dalmatian was able to go to the dog park, have birthday parties with other pup guests and generally just tone down his tendency to be a jackass. We had no concerns letting his best friend across the street come to our yard or taking him there for some romping.
As for the small dogs, well, they really seem to set him off when we pass one. Most of the time he minds me very well, taking commands and looking to please. In these situations he is a whirling dervish on the leash no matter what command I give. He has a high prey instinct for other small animals like squirrels, bunnies, chipmunks and even birds. We were harassed by a small dog one day about 2 months ago that was off-leash (I HATE OFF-LEASH DOGS!) with no owner in sight. He would not go home and kept following us up the street as my dog was frantic. Finally the owner must have heard us yelling, came out, offered a weak apology, picked the dog up and then placed his dog's face RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY DOG'S MOUTH. So...my dog bit him. Yikes. No blood, no shaking, just one bite and release. I was mortified.
Then last weekend, by the weirdest twist of fate, we were walking with another dog when a truck drove by, turned around, stopped in front of us and the driver proclaimed he was the former owner of my dog! Wow. So surreal. During our conversation - where I was so stunned I didn't ask any of the questions I wish I had - that person shared that the dog used to spend a lot of time with his mother's tiny, old chihuahua-ish dog that had seizures. One day, both dogs were left home together and it seems the little dog had a seizure and my dog bit it, probably delivering a fatal blow. The guy said he came home, there was just one bite mark, no mauling. No one knows if my dog was trying to help his friend, was scared, or was mean.
So, that could explain a lot! Like how my dog totally freaks out when our main walking partner rolls around in the grass.
And now...to my actual question!!!!
I need to get this dog some more training but not sure what kind. Group training, like a PetSmart setting? Personal trainer (we had one with the first dalmatian)? Behavioral veterinarian? Or should I just give up on him having friends over and simply understand I can NEVER let my guard down? I'm ok with that, I signed on to be his forever home and do what it takes to provide a safe environment for everyone.
And might as well ask my food question to fellow dalmatian lovers - what do you feed them? We follow the recommended low-purine diet and the only specialty manufacturer I know for that is Flint River Ranch. He likes it but they raised their prices again! Have you found any "off the shelf" brands that meet these standards?
I, too, don't think he was treated as well as he could have been. He growled and barked at the former owner! He is a purebred, purchased by that guy as a puppy from a breeder (sigh) and so that house was his only family before coming to ours. But the guy didn't seem totally cruel or anything, and took the time to pet him, just a vibe we've had from the dog since we got him. Very distrustful of men, especially in hats (and this guy was wearing one).
Pooch is a good sport, though. Even wore his halloween costume! Poor dog... http://www.flickr.com/photos/strausy/6300580478
When we had a dalmatian, we used any food that didn't list a meat as one of the first 3 ingredients. He lived to be 14 which is pretty good for a dal.
I recommend private sessions with a personal trainer. Sounds like your dog may not have been properly socialized as a pup in addition to other issues. We have a Miniature Poodle who developed resource guarding issues at age 1 1/2 and a personal trainer has been very helpful. Good luck. (P.S. How serendipitous you ran into the former owner. Something like that actually happened to me years ago with a dog I rescued. Sadly, I discovered he had been beaten by a kid with a baseball bat which explained why he freaked when I unknowingly took him to a softball game and why he hated kids. Our story didn't end happily, unfortunately. Sounds like your situation isn't as dire as ours was.)
A) Let me just say how proud I am of you for your dedication and compassion with your dog. I am a dog owner of 2 wonderful dogs, a dachsund mutt who is not great with other dogs and a golden retriever. I also have 3 kids and I know how tough it is to be a mom and have dogs too. It's alot of work!
B) I would go with a personal trainer. Find someone good! Can you get that woman on Animal Planet, from the show "It's me or the dog!" LOL!
he's gorgeous and you are a great dog owner :) just wanted to say that! i love a well-cared-for dalmation, so beautiful.
our dog is an english pointer mix (people are constantly asking if she has dalmation in her - two people even tried to convince me she was...rme lol)
you are an inspiration! sorry i don't know how to answer your questions but just wanted to say that :)
I would suggest a professional trainer in a class type setting...preferably outside?!
~I see listings for classes like this all the time offered by our Community College.
What first comes to mind is that you need "a socializer".
This is my goofy chocolate lab's "job" at our dog park, along with a small handful of other dogs, and those of us who are owners of these types of dogs are often sought out by owners of neurotic herders and huskies, and abused dogs who are scared of other dogs. By and large they are Beta dogs (not submissive.... he just loooooooves to be "put in place" by other dogs. He's not an Alpha, he's not submissive, he's a "2nd"... and will keep pushing other dogs to 'prove' that they really do outrank him. Wether they already think they do or not.)
By and large... the 'socializers' are annoying. They've got thick skin (literally, mine actually has a full "fighting" ruff around his neck from late neutering), and their favorite game is something we've come to know as 'wrestle chase' or 'pinned ya again!' (with our dogs on the bottom). They just "keep coming". But they keep coming with absolutely no aggression. No matter how grumpy or quivvering with fear it's "downward facing dog! bark!" over and over and over again. They take nips with aplomb, completely ignore when the other dog is showing their belly (whatcha doin?!? Play! play! Nudge. Get up! Play! Play!) until the other dog gets up, are inexhaustible "sheep". (Come get me! C'mon! Come get me!).
They just don't quit. So they keep annoying the other dog until the DO start playing.
The two most neurotic dogs mine has socialized are an australian herder, and a small mutt that was a quivvering mess at their owner's ankles when we first met them. Both dogs are now happy social dogs who play with others just fine. Each took about a year to get to where they just don't care about other dogs (aren't snapping at them, and aren't rolling over for them), but most only take a few months. This is after 1-4 hours a week of being annoyed by a socializer until they start being "normal" around other dogs.
"Socializers" are pretty rare in dog-world. At the off leash park we go to, there are several hundred regulars, and only 5 or 6 "socializers".
I would look around in your area for a positive reinforcement trainer. If you are going to take a group class be sure they know ahead of time of the concerns you have so they can make sure the class is prepared if needed and to make sure he is a good fit for the class. Some may suggest a private or two first to work with different dogs and then a group class for reinforcement. It sounds like this is something he can probably overcome with time, especially since he used to play nice with small dogs. I'm sure that was a bad event when his buddy died and then he was sent away, though I can understand why at the same time.
Lesile McDevitt has a book called Control Unleashed that is amazing. Many of the dogs are performance dogs, but there is so much wonderful information and ways to help with reactivity, attention span, etc. She has a game called Look at that, where the dogs learn to look at things that stress them and then check back in with you. I have a reactive lab and we have done a lot of things in the book many times and it has really helped. She also uses something called the premac principle to get dogs to stay with you and do what you want, where it is there idea. Let me know if you would like more information. If you read and like the book she also has a yahoo group where lots of people ask questions and give advice and feedback. There are a lot of other great books too.
It sounds like you are working really hard and doing a great job with him. Good luck and hope you can both have friends over together soon. If you have any questions I can answer feel free to PM me.
Awww your dog is a cutie! I have a two-year old lab that we did get as a puppy. So I cannot relate a whole lot to your story. However, the first thought that comes to mind....is that your dog may not be able to socialize with other dogs. He is happy with you for now. I would not put him in situations that could potentially lead to conflict. I would talk to a vet about it. They would be able to recommend the right road to take. I know that is what I would do because I trust my Vet. My dog does not really play with other dogs(unless you count my two boys acting like dogs ). Good Luck!
I love your commitment to him!
Try your local American Kennel Club chapter. The one I took classes at was great. They got the owners together first to talk about how to bring the dogs into the building, not allow contact between them, etc.
You can try a behaviour trainer, but they can be very hard to come by for one that deals with re-socializing. And you just may need to be as vigilant as you can keep him away form small dogs. While many many people habe a well socialized Dals, as a breed they are known to be very protective.
I have a Boston terrier, and I have socialized him since a pup. And he is leash aggressive. We can to dog parks, and meet ps and have play dates. But when in his neighborhood on the leash, he is totally and completyly a jerk. Can not figure it out. I am the one that gives dog advice to everyone and nope, none even for myself.
Just want to point out that not all dog breeders are bad. Also, even well-socialized dogs can be dog aggressive. It depends on the breed and the individual dog's inborn temperament. I'm not very familiar with Dalmatians, but dogs of the breed I own (Shiba Inu) are often dog aggressive, regardless of how well they are raised and socialized.
I would recommend some private training with a behaviorist (does not need to be a vet), followed by a group class once you have learned some techniques to redirect his attention to you when he feels bothered by another dog.
Your Dal looks like a total doll! Best of luck with him.
I've never owned a Dalmatian. I would google Dog Trainer in your area and talk with them about the issues!!
Hopefully, they will be able to help you!!
I know you're in KS but, we have a terrific SPCA in Houston that I'm sure the animal behavioralist there could help you with this. That is what they do to help owners and keep pet "returns" to a minimum. I applaud you for having patience and seeking help for him. I honestly do. Few would do what you're doing to help him.
