[nagdu] my dog growls at other dogs.

[S L Johnson]

Hello:

It is good that your dog will remain under good control even though she's growling.  You are doing the best you can to explain to the other handler why your dog is growling.  However, keep in mind how afraid and stressed the other handler is thinking their dog is at risk of being attacked.  When we're afraid, we can often react by saying harsh words about your dog and the school.  I have experienced both sides of this kind of situation.  As a result of being attacked, I've had two of my guide dogs develop a problem of growling or barking if another dog got too close to them.  In 1985  Heidi, a tiny little shepherd was frequently attacked by a large shepherd guide dog at an agency for the blind.  After that she would growl and back away and hide behind me when other dogs got too close to her.  The trainers and I worked very hard trying to build up her confidence around other dogs but, it really didn't help.  Although she was acting out of fear not aggression, the school and I finally felt it was best to retire her.  It was unfortunate because Heidi was only five years old and her work was amazing and in all other ways she was the perfect dog.  The school felt it looked bad for them and all guide dog teams.  In 2005 my little golden, Cinnamon was attacked by a very large dark colored dog at the bus stop.  After that she would bark if she saw large dark colored dog coming near her.  I didn't have to retire her but, I always had to be very alert if we were around other dogs.  With Tara, after she was attacked she didn't bark or growl but, she was always nervous and very stressed out around dogs she didn't know.  I know each handler has to make the decision that they feel is right but, any kind of behavior from one guide dog does make a negative impression for all guide dog teams.      

Sandra and Eva

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Vivianna via nagdu
Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2015 5:56 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: [nagdu] my dog growls at other dogs.

here is the situation that i have with my current dog.
she is a very fit 78 pound 6 year old german shepherd.
if she is lying under my seat, for example, and, along comes another guide dog and, the handler lets their dog get into my dog’s face, she will growl very loudly.  she doesn’t move but, she sounds like she is going to eat them up.
i was on the bus the other day and, this person got on with another guide dog.  i heard it coming and was aware of what my dog was doing, she was under my seat.  so, this other dog comes over and starts getting into my dog’s face, and, she growled.  i said, your dog is sniffing mine, that’s why she growled.
he proceeded to ask me where i got her and, when i told him, he started bashing the school.
lol.
i, did not say, hey, why did your seeing eye dog come over here and bother my pilot dog in the first place.  
now, if the dogs keep to themselves, she doesn’t do anything but look.  it’s only when she feels they are getting into her space.  and, frankly, i don’t blame her.
i do think though, that many folks would think that my dog is being aggressive.
just an interesting situation.

Vivianna


_______________________________________________
nagdu mailing list
nagdu at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/sljohnson25%40comcast.net