leefizz
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Foxleigh Fizz
Posts: 205
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Post by leefizz on Apr 24, 2011 12:36:38 GMT
Hi all, now the warmer weather is here there are a lot more people walking their dogs, especially weekends. I keep Fizz on the lead and when she sees another dog she'll start growling and barking and straining on her lead. This is sometimes followed by her spinning around on the spot and biting her lead. It can be any breed of dog and they can be on/off of the lead.
It could be she's showing off, being playful, other times I'm not so sure. I've tried ignoring her when she does this, that didn't seem to work. I've tried distracting her with food. That worked for a while, but it's started up again, not sure what to do. I'd be grateful for any advice. Thank you.
Lee
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Post by Ian on Apr 24, 2011 12:56:28 GMT
Hi Lee, I reckon the problem you've got is one that faces some Greyhounds, because they've not readily been socialised with other dog breeds they think other dogs are prey and they want to give chase. It is sometimes difficult at Ockendon when other dog breeds are brought in to test for homing with a Grey. Many of the Greys were good as gold and paid no attention to the other dog, but some would strain on the lead and try and get at it. It sounds like you've partly tried to crack it with the offering of food, but did you only give the food when Fizz had quietened down? Or was it purely as a distraction? I would have said that the most likely route to success would be to try to stop Fizz from going mad, then when quiet issue a treat. If you want a more 'intensive' and possibly quicker solution it maybe worth tracking down a local dog training class.
The only other possibility is that Fizz might be exhibiting protective behaviour, the mother in laws springer does this, but with people. That said I would have thought she'd have done it around Greyhounds as well if it were this so if Fizz isn't reacting to Greys, it's probably not this.
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leefizz
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Foxleigh Fizz
Posts: 205
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Post by leefizz on Apr 24, 2011 13:25:31 GMT
Hi Mark, Fizz is very happy around other Greys it's other breeds of dog she has the problem with.
I did take her to dog training about two months after getting her. I explained her behaviour to the dog trainer only when I took her to her first class she didn't react to the other dogs at all, she was as good as gold, made me look like a liar.
When I see another dog when we're out, I get the treat out before she has a chance to react. Is this wrong? Thanks.
Lee
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Post by Ian on Apr 24, 2011 18:01:01 GMT
I would say stop Fizz, as the other dog passes, keep the dog treats away, if Fizz reacts do all you can to quiet her down and only when she stops being excited treat her, the idea being she'll hopefully equate being quiet with the treat and not being quiet means no treat. This may take some time, and I can't gaurantee it'll work, but it's what was suggested for dogs that growl and bark at people without reason.
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funwaydaisy
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Left to right, Daisy, Sean and Abbey
Posts: 177
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Post by funwaydaisy on Apr 25, 2011 7:44:38 GMT
Daisy does the same thing I always thought it was because she wants to give chase i hold her as near to the collar to stop her I dont give food I just tell her to calm down. then again there both sisters maybe something inherited from the top honcho him self lol
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leefizz
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Foxleigh Fizz
Posts: 205
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Post by leefizz on Apr 25, 2011 9:58:03 GMT
i'll give that a go and see what happens. Knowing her attitude towards food it should work.
I just remembered this morning that at the training school where I used to take her they tried clicker training and she responded well to that. It seems to be mostly unfamiliar dogs that she'll bark or growl at . Over on the common where I walk her there's sometimes a Standard Poodle. At first if he got near her she'd back away, barking, but over time she got used to him. If she sees him now she'll have a sniff and that's about it. Just wondering if maybe it's a defensive thing.
Lee
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leefizz
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Foxleigh Fizz
Posts: 205
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Post by leefizz on Apr 25, 2011 13:09:31 GMT
More misbehaving from Fizz. I borrowed the Twilight Saga books off of my sister in law. I've just started the last one left it on my bed and came in to find the front cover chewed to pieces. That's the second book she's damaged and I have to replace. She usually leaves my books alone don't know what's got into her. Lee
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Post by sueb on Apr 26, 2011 8:23:08 GMT
Hi Lee
Can't advise about the issue with other dogs, but Brennan went through a phase where he picked up books (have several covers with puncture marks on!) and ripped up a couple of papers, also completey chewed up 2 remote controls! One book I have (greyhounds for dummies) says chewing can be sign of distress or boredom when left, but none of this happened when he was alone in the house and all were within the sitting room (he is not now allowed in there on his own). The things he collects in his bed rarely get chewed up. He did seem to have a little naughty phase, so I also got him another 2 (rubbery/plasticky) bones, both designed to help clean their teeth, and one is split down the middle so you can put treats inside for them to work on getting out. Sounds as if that may be more sucessful with Fizz, as she is motivated by food, (but Brennan, being a really lazy hound doesn't try to get the treats out!!). Whenever he went to take something he shouldn't, I gave a v firm NO then a while after gave him the bone to chew on. He seemed to get the hint, though I suppose giving the bone too soon could be seen as a reward! Anyway, not sure if all that was related, as he's ok now, but he does seem to have short phases of being a scallywag for no apparant reason, when he's like that I ensure he gets his mad runs in the garden (as well as his walks, and as long as it's not hot) as he's still only 3 he seems to get pent up energy needing to be released and they help, too!! Good luck with Fizz!
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leefizz
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Foxleigh Fizz
Posts: 205
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Post by leefizz on Apr 26, 2011 10:23:41 GMT
Hi, the thing that happened with the books is rare for Fizz. When she does nick things it's usually teddies, socks, and sometimes slippers and my bag. A few weeks ago I popped round to the shop and came back to the contents of my bag spread all over her bed and about half a packet of chewing gum that had been chewed up and spat back out. i have to say though that she's not like that all the time. I think she has a mischeivous side to her nature anyway. I think you're right about the boredom thing as it happens mostly when I go out. She has one of those nylon bones which she doesn't take much notice of because she seems to prefer the soft/plush squeaky toys. The treat bone that you mentioned though sounds good, did you get it from pets at home?
Lee
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Post by sueb on Apr 26, 2011 11:46:47 GMT
Hi Lee Yes, I did (although it was in the Broadstairs branch when we were down there). I've just looked on their website and they don't have the product listed, although have a similar one by Kong, but more expensive. I've fished out the receipt though and its listed as " R & T Rubber Bone" code number 28316 (was £4.99) so maybe your local branch could get it, if not stocked. Greys are funny aren't they? They seem to love taking so many of our things to their bed, Bren particularly likes my black boots, but never chews them up!
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Post by patricksparents on Apr 26, 2011 12:20:18 GMT
Our last grey, Dillon, (pictured below) used to take Peter's socks and hide them under his quilt I never washed so many odd socks! lol
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leefizz
Full Member
Foxleigh Fizz
Posts: 205
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Post by leefizz on Apr 26, 2011 12:49:55 GMT
Hi Sue, I'll try and get Fizz one of those, thanks a lot.
Patrickparents, love the photo of Dillon absolutely gorgeous.
Lee
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Post by Ian on Apr 26, 2011 18:50:25 GMT
More misbehaving from Fizz. I borrowed the Twilight Saga books off of my sister in law. I've just started the last one left it on my bed and came in to find the front cover chewed to pieces. That's the second book she's damaged and I have to replace. She usually leaves my books alone don't know what's got into her. Lee Seans favourite is plastic bags! Although he has been partial to the odd Xmas present and a roll of kitchen towel. Fortunately such events are rare...LOL!
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Post by nicky on Apr 26, 2011 18:55:44 GMT
Betty just takes soft toys or clothes to put on her bed. Goldie (my neighbours greyhound) takes toilet rolls and destroys them It's like something from an andrex advert
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Post by sueb on Apr 27, 2011 8:15:14 GMT
Brennan does mainly take softer things, even though he has three teddies (!!) ( including dirty washing before it goes in the machine!) but also shoes (Imelda Marcos eat your haert out!) but I've also found strange things, like a milk bottle!?!
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