He's 12 months old. We adopted him last week, and in the description they said he loved the other dogs at the pound. I was delighted with this as I want a happy dog who I can bring out for walks without having to worry abot any dog fights..

Two nights ago, I was teaching him to not pull on the lead when a friend came along walking his poodle. I asked my friend did he mind if my dog went over to say hello (presuming he was fine with dogs). My friend didn't mind so on the lead, I brought my lab over to say hello, tail wagging. I didn't think my lab was being aggressive at all.

Whatever happened, the poodle let out a yelp, they both had a quarrel and I had to pull my lab out of it. He ended up growling and barking at the dog.

I'm now terrified of bringing him out! I don't understand what actually happened. He does bark and pull towards other dogs when on-leash but I presumed that he was just eager to say hello!

Welcome to PF!

He probably was eager to say hello but even the friendliest dogs can behave differently on the lead because they are not in total control of their body language and how they approach, or are approached by, the other dog. Dogs rely on body language and lots of other signals to communicate, to say 'stay away' or 'play with me' for example, and if those signals get misread then there could be a misunderstanding.

It is difficult with a rescue to judge how they are going to respond but I would suggest some research into dog body language and some close observation of your dog to learn the signs. Getting him out and about with other dogs is vital to avoid a multitude of future problems, so I would also talk nicely to your friend and see if you can arrange another meeting.

Good luck.

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Certainly don't be afraid to take him out. If you are having trouble with pulling and are concerned that you might not be able to hold him, a front clip harness or a dogmatic headcollar will help. I am not suggesting you replace these with training to heel, but as a temporary measure and as back they will set your mind at rest.

I think you should walk him, but just walk him past the other dogs, not too close to start with, gradually bring him nearer if he is calm. But take your time with it and have lots of treats handy for when he is calm.

He may have got on fine with dogs at the pound, because he probably knew them or was outnumbered, but doesn't mean he will get on with any dog he sees. Also, this is all a strange environment to him. Being in a home, only one person walking him instead of many, he is probably still feeling a little confused.

He could have simply trodden on the poodle's foot and caused him to yelp, and the yelp startled him. You need to keep trying and build things up gradually as you do not know this dog and the rescue people can only tell you their own observations.

As Jasper's Bloke said, read about dog body language and see if you can get him into some good training classes, but go along first without your dog and watch what goes on. They are not all that brilliant, so you may need to shop around.

Good luck and please come back for any advice you might need.

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Hi

Welcome to the forum!

Wanted to say well done for choosing a rescue. You have saved this dogs life, and he will reward you for that everyday, as mine do.

It takes a number of months for a new dog to settle in properly. The pound/kennels is a very stressful environment for a dog, and it takes a while for them to settle down.

As others have mentioned..... When you put a dog on a lead, you take away their option to run away. So if he is a bit nervous/anxious then you are making him face his fears.

He also might have poor social skills. If he approaches another dog in the wrong way, then this may provoke a reaction from the other dog, which then causes your dog to react.

Enrol in a good class straight away.

Although a dogs behaviour is easy to correct, it is also just as easy to make WORSE. If his reaction is not curtailed and dealt with, then he will learn that that is the way in which he greets dog i.e it becomes a learned behaviour.

Do you have any experienced doggy friends?

Don't be put off. Rescuing is so rewarding. You just need to have an understanding of how dogs think so that you don't encourage unwanted behaviour.

Good luck x

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Update: Had a talk with the poodle's owner. Apparently, the poodle is afraid of everything Also, a neighbour had my lab out for a small stroll yesterday and he met two dogs, but all they did was smell each other and went on their way

sometimes different dogs will react to each other x

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Do you own a DINOS (dogs in need of space). To find out more and to find a walking buddy follow the link!


www.dogsinneedofspace.co.uk

If the poodle is afraid of everything, she should never have agreed to him meeting with your dog. He may have shown signs of aggression if he was scared and that is what set your lab off.

__________________
http://www.gentle-newfoundland-dogs.com
http://www.royston-pet-care.co.uk



Will always miss you, my little Joshie Woshie xx

If you want real love, buy a dog

If you wouldn't use it on a child, don't use it on a dog

http://pettaxisg8.yolasite.com/
http://www.help-for-learner-drivers.yolasite.com/

Just out for more walking on leash training and I had to bring him inside the garden because a golden retriever was being walked and coming towards us.

Leon (my lab) noticed the dog and through the gate started sniffing him (tail wagging) when he went past and then started barking and pulling like a maniac. He was making weird 'coughing up food bits' type noises too. I'm genuinely afraid of bringing him out for walks now!

I can't afford classes either :/

I pay £2.50 for my two dogs' training classes, each 45 minutes. And that price is for both, it's only £2 if you have one dog. Not all classes are expensive, look around - the KC affilliated clubs (like mine) are often very affordable.

Don't be afraid to walk your dog - if you don't take him out it will only get worse, as the frustration from not getting his exercise requirements will add to his keenness to meet other dogs. He sounds like a normal boistrous young lab, I wouldn't worry about him meeting my dogs. To make him easier to manage, try walking him on a harness (with the lead attached at the front on his chest, sew on an extra D-ring if necessary) or headcollar.

It seems where I am, the classes are very expensive if not impossible to find

What do you advise if he's out and starts barking and pulling towards another dog? I would love if he was available for adoption at a younger age, these problems would not be as bad then