Working - as I am - with a fearful youngster right now, I can tell you things do improve!
The brilliant thing about Yannick is that he loves people, but he’s going through that adolescent stage of being darkly suspicious of dogs.
Fortunately he likes bitches. 💕 💖
But after a couple of explosions demonstrated that he had developed an issue with strange dogs - it only started after about a year - I have, of course, been working on it!
And he’s way, way better in a short time.
Adolescence is tough for dogs as well as for human teenagers!
So - what am I doing?
Counter-conditioning
Enthusiastic exclamations when we see someone/something: “Ooh look, it’s a nice person/dog! Look!”
Chatting with the other owner
If he’s comfortable he’ll sit and sweep the road with his tail.
If he’s tense and pulling we look for shelter - a driveway, into a field, cross the road … As a reactive dog-owner, you’ll have these charted on your mental map as part of your walks!
But something that’s helped him enormously is to greet the person and actually meet the dog.
So I wait till the walker is in hailing distance, then ask them “is your dog friendly?”
Usually it’s a yes - I’d have known if not and we’d have been outa there already! Most dogs are friendly enough, though perhaps a bit anxious. If the dog is clearly better kept at a distance, that’s what we do, and turn away.
So a gentle approach and nose greeting is allowed. Count to three and draw your dog away happily. If both are happy, they can have another slightly longer greeting.
These tend to go really well, but it’s a good idea to keep both dogs moving if possible. I’ve discovered that Yannick is very gentle and encouraging with very shy dogs. He knows how they feel!
Now, assuming it’s not a “get outa Dodge” situation, I will engage the “victim” in conversation.
Just standing at a comfortable distance for the dogs and chatting has a marvellously soothing effect. That distance may be 3 - 5 - 8 yards - whatever works.
Slowly the dog can realise this dog/person combo is no threat - after all, you’re smiling and chatty with them! And they with you.
“Familiarity breeds contempt” they do say.
And in this case, familiarity breeds nonchalance and acceptance.
The dogs will soon be sniffing the ground and bored and ready to move on.
If Yannick is very wound up about the approaching dog, and can’t relate to me at all, I do simple counterconditioning: I’m just posting the treats into his mouth, encouraging his head round as much as possible (without lead pressure).
It still works!
Though we may only do that briefly then move away to safety.
But once you’re over this hump, I’d recommend giving the chat thing a try.
Do you use this already? Let me know in the comments.
And for more detail on how to do this counter-conditioning and Look at That, watch our free Masterclass for Growly Dogs great way to get you started managing your dog’s emotional state.