When he’s hot but his dog is not
By MONICA COLLINS www.askdoglady.com November 6, 2012 9:11AM
Updated: November 6, 2012 9:56AM
Q. When I moved last summer, I was really pleased to discover there are a lot of people with dogs. Fritz, my Schnauzer, and I have fit right in. I also met guy in the local park who also is a dog owner and has a Doberman pinscher. I kinda like this man and want him to like me even though his dog is a horror and has nearly attacked Fritz (not his real name) a few times. When we’re together, I have to carry my dog or leave him at home. Is there any future?
Dogs tend to reflect their owners. If the Doberman is aching for a fight, it should lead you to wonder about the human holding tight (you hope) to the other end of the leash. Separate hot from hot mess. Look for another guy with a nicer dog.
Q. When we are out walking our otherwise wonderful 4-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, she has begun to lunge and bark at dogs she doesn’t know. She is cordial as ever with her neighborhood friends, but seems aggressive toward many dogs she’s not met, especially if they are not in the Labrador/retriever family. How can we help her to be more sociable on our walks?
Your dog is entitled to bristle around strange dogs that, for whatever reason, give her the creeps. As long as she does not snarl at every dog while you have “occasional success” in distracting her, rest assured she’s trainable with your persistence and patience.
