[nagdu] my dog growls at other dogs.

[Raven Tolliver]

As long as your dog controls herself, there is nothing wrong.
That handler had no room to talk seeing as his dog went up to yours.
I too have a dog that can get vocal in harness at times, though it is
inappropriate. Of course, I have a quick fix for the behavior.

On 3/4/15, S L Johnson via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 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
>
>
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-- 
Raven
You are valuable because of your potential, not because of what you
have or what you do.

Naturally-reared guide dogs
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