Meeting other dogs on walks

[bc4ever]

Several months ago I wrote about an incident while walking Scooter in a park near us. A Boxer, off leash, owner running after it, came right up to Scooter and got in his face. Scooter barked once, but then sat quietly while the Boxer circled us and barked nonstop, then finally just laid down till the owner could get the dog under control (and I use the term loosely!) and we went on our way. He didn't seem rattled by it afterwards. Walks were normal. Recently though, the problem seems to be that whenever he sees a dog approaching, he immediately lies down. I've tried to keep walking, but he won't budge. I don't think I'm giving off signals that would cause him to do this, since he's been fine since that encounter (until now) and I would have no reason to anticipate a problem. Thoughts?

[afrancis]

Every dog, really? How literal is that?!

 

Maybe its only with dogs that are of a certain size, sex or demeanor? Maybe their approach is similar? Does he allow the other dog to sniff him and say hi or does he look away? Maybe it made him feel so much more relaxed during the boxer incident he has adopted it as a way to find his comfort zone with all dogs. When the other dog approaches, do you sort of hold your breath and slow down and do any of the other anticipatory things that he may sense? I wonder if he will soon understand that the lie down is not necessary with every dog he meets and will stop doing it voluntarily.

 

OTOH, ever since I began to take notice of bcs doing their thing with sheep (I guess that's called "herding" eh? ) with the handlers directing the dogs to "lie down" when they wanted them to stop their driving, I have started to get Skye to "lie down" rather than come to me when she is reverting back to her circling and barking with other dogs. This seems to be much more successful in getting her attention and she does it promptly. I wonder if this action is hard-wired into border collies more than other actions or other breeds.

 

Ailsa

[Genie]

OTOH, ever since I began to take notice of bcs doing their thing with sheep (I guess that's called "herding" eh? ) with the handlers directing the dogs to "lie down" when they wanted them to stop their driving, I have started to get Skye to "lie down" rather than come to me when she is reverting back to her circling and barking with other dogs. This seems to be much more successful in getting her attention and she does it promptly. I wonder if this action is hard-wired into border collies more than other actions or other breeds.

In this case, it sounds more like Scooter is offering a submissive/appeasement gesture to the other dogs.

[Lewie'sMom]

This morning I started reading Turid Rugaas' On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals. She says that a down "is a very strong calming signal". Perhaps Scooter is trying to ward off trouble.

 

(Thanks to the forumite who recommended this book.)

 

edit: not a roll-on-your-back-belly-exposed submissive down, but a simple belly on the ground down.

[Laurae]

OTOH, ever since I began to take notice of bcs doing their thing with sheep (I guess that's called "herding" eh? ) with the handlers directing the dogs to "lie down" when they wanted them to stop their driving, I have started to get Skye to "lie down" rather than come to me when she is reverting back to her circling and barking with other dogs. This seems to be much more successful in getting her attention and she does it promptly. I wonder if this action is hard-wired into border collies more than other actions or other breeds.

 

I know this is nitpicky, but technically driving is when the dog moves the sheep away from the handler, Ailsa. I think you mean flanking, or, uh, just circling (really, circling is kind of a working term--when the dog is mindlessly orbiting the sheep). Not a good thing on sheep or on other dogs

[bc4ever]

Every dog, really? How literal is that?!

 

Maybe its only with dogs that are of a certain size, sex or demeanor? Maybe their approach is similar? Does he allow the other dog to sniff him and say hi or does he look away? Maybe it made him feel so much more relaxed during the boxer incident he has adopted it as a way to find his comfort zone with all dogs. When the other dog approaches, do you sort of hold your breath and slow down and do any of the other anticipatory things that he may sense? I wonder if he will soon understand that the lie down is not necessary with every dog he meets and will stop doing it voluntarily.

 

OTOH, ever since I began to take notice of bcs doing their thing with sheep (I guess that's called "herding" eh? ) with the handlers directing the dogs to "lie down" when they wanted them to stop their driving, I have started to get Skye to "lie down" rather than come to me when she is reverting back to her circling and barking with other dogs. This seems to be much more successful in getting her attention and she does it promptly. I wonder if this action is hard-wired into border collies more than other actions or other breeds.

 

Ailsa

 

Huh? Where in my post does it say every dog?

 

I have had no reason to hold my breath or feel unnerved. He's been fine up till the other day. I continue to walk normally--he stops and drops. He doesn't appear anxious or stressed when he lies down though. Maybe it is his way of handling it--as in, it worked before? Don't know. I guess it could be hard-wired into him. Hoping he realizes soon he doesn't have to lie down with every dog he meets!

[bc4ever]

This morning I started reading Turid Rugaas' On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals. She says that a down "is a very strong calming signal". Perhaps Scooter is trying to ward off trouble.

 

That's how I'm interpreting it, although I could be wrong. And if that's why he's doing it, should I try to correct the behavior? Does that mean he doesn't trust me to be, sorry----The Pack Leader? Maybe I should ignore this little blip and he'll get over whatever it is? Just a little puzzled, but it wouldn't be the first time! LOL!

[afrancis]

Huh? Where in my post does it say every dog?

 

I have had no reason to hold my breath or feel unnerved. He's been fine up till the other day. I continue to walk normally--he stops and drops. He doesn't appear anxious or stressed when he lies down though. Maybe it is his way of handling it--as in, it worked before? Don't know. I guess it could be hard-wired into him. Hoping he realizes soon he doesn't have to lie down with every dog he meets!

 

Sorry BC4ever,

Thought that's what you meant when you wrote:

Recently though, the problem seems to be that whenever he sees a dog approaching, he immediately lies down.

Anyway, really didn't have so much advice as much as questions about whether there appeared to be a pattern.

The notion about it being a calming signal is a very valid one I think and probably one that he has adopted because it worked.

 

I know this is nitpicky, but technically driving is when the dog moved the sheep away from the handler, Ailsa.

Thanks Laura, good to have pros here who can correct a noobie's language!

Ailsa