[NAGDU] Dog Attack and A Question About Distractions

[Danielle Burton]

Hi Elise, that's also scary! What I would do is if there are any dogs that Becky knows or some dogs that you guys are comfortable with then I would start working with her around those dogs. Do some obedience and working with lots of praise and treats if you use treats. If you use a clicker that would be a great tool to also use. Once she can easily work around those dogs without getting super distracted maybe find a dog that you know but she doesn't and or a less familiar dog. Do that until you can start working with her with dogs she doesn't know. Hope that helps. Willa gets distracted by other dogs but she is pretty easily refocused. But we have two outside dogs that she works around fairly often when we walk up our road because our outside dogs like to follow us.  That has actually really cut down on the dog distractions. 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jan 16, 2016, at 11:48 AM, Elise Berkley via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> My goodness, Danielle.  I know that was scary.  Yesterday, Becky and I were walking downtown Long Beach.  Becky has a little problem with being distracted by other dogs.  She is so loving and she thinks all other dogs are as loving and friendly as her.  So, she went up to greet a passing dog. I felt her speed up, but was too late to get her back.  The other dog started snarling and snapping at Becky, and she backed up from the other dog while I was pulling her leash.  Becky was not hurt.  The problem I had with this incident was:
> 1)  First, I have to work with Becky and distractions of other dogs; and
> 2)  The owner knew her dog was aggressive, and did not say anything about it at all until I pulled Becky back.  Then, she said "Oh, sorry!" and kept on walking.
> I believe that, if you know your dog is that aggressive against other dogs, when you are passing another dog, let the owner know that your dog does not like other dogs.  That way, the other owner can make a wide circle from the aggressive dog, or have their dog sit while the owner and aggressive dog passees.
> 
> Needless to say, I was a little perturbed at the other owner.  Does anyone have any suggestions for me to train Becky better on not losing her concentration while working?  It is primarily when we pass other dogs. thanks.
> Elise and Becky 
> 
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