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Ask the Trainer: My Dog is Scared of Larger Dogs

By: Author Paris Permenter

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Dear Alecia,

I’m so glad to see DogTipper has a trainer “on staff” now. I’d like help with a toy-sized dog with fear-aggression toward larger dogs. What can I do? He’s not a very secure and confident dog and shows submissive behavior with most everybody. We’ve taken two dog obedience classes and didn’t finish the last one because he started showing fear during down-stay when other dogs were asked to show behaviors. The instructor would spray him with the water bottle when he did this. It didn’t help. He is a very lovable dog otherwise and great to handle everyday with vet visits, grooming. –Pat

Dear Pat,

Thanks for being glad I am here. Toys can be such great dogs around people yet I have found some have a bit of a Napoleon complex with larger dogs. Sometimes toys think that the louder they bark and more aggression they show they more intimidating they will be.

What I would suggest in this case is working with a couple of larger dogs that you know are willing to tolerate the little one to assist in helping your dog move to the other side of his/her issue.

A couple of questions:

1. Is the dog on a collar or harness?
2. Does the dog walk in front of you when these other dogs are approaching?
3. Do you get nervous that the dog is going to lunge?
4. How do you handle this when it happens?

If the dog is on a collar, I would recommend a harness, but a harness that clips that the front.
Check out the Walk In Sync™ Harness and Leash. (www.dogwalkinsync.com) I love this system because it puts you in an instant leadership position with your dog- something a dog aggressive dog requires. The leash gives you rubber handles which help you keep a clear, consistent boundary with the dog which teaches the dog in minutes to back off pressure and lower their own energy levels which will immediately lessen aggressive behavior. The system also provides you with their 3 Easy Step Videos which show you how to walk your dog and have them walking in sync with you in minutes.

Also, if you have a tendency to get a little tense due to your dog’s previous behavior it will help you relax which will help your dog relax. By using this you will be able to remain calm, keep your pup moving along even when they begin to get aggressive and you will walk your dog right through the aggression and have more confidence and peace on walks.

Let me know how you two do.

Paws Up!

Alecia
Alecia Evans, PDT, MA

Alecia Evans is the inventor of The Walk In Sync™ Humane Dog Walking and Training System with her exclusive 5 Minute Manners Makeovers using the Walk In Sync™ Harness and Accu-Grip Leash, along with her Walk In Sync™ 3 Easy Steps to teach any human/dog duos to Walk In Sync in just minutes.

The former host of the award-winning GrassRoots Aspen TV Series, The Whole Animal-An Alternative Approach to Animal Care, Alecia takes a natural approach to dog training and health care. Her work has been featured on Fox and Friends, The Sandra Glosser Show, NY 1, and in Aspen Magazine, DogTipper.com, The New York Daily News and Woof Report.

Paris Permenter
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This post originally appeared on DogTipper.com and is the sole property of DogTipper.com.