My friend 17-lb dog is terrified when I sit for other dogs. How do I help her to not feel so threatened?
Some dogs more easily adapt than others. Positive associations made over time will likely ease tensions. I’d recommend making your dog a cornerstone part of the decision. Really assess which dogs you think your dog would find easiest to get along with (hunch is same energy level, same general size). Those will be the dogs you introduce for a short sniffing meet& greet, mostly parallel walk outside the home to check the dog’s compatibility. When you observe the dogs, they’ll indicate their comfort level. Don’t try to force things with dogs that are not a match.
I’ve been rescuing dogs for 40 years now most of them severely traumatized. I find if they were not brought up with other dogs can be hard to socialize them later. Some really never accept other dogs. I agree with the answer that was above and also I think just be patient and be prepared that he may not come around to being friends with other dogs. Training and making him feel more secure can help.
I have a senior dachshund and my advice is be a confident alpha. Your dog looks to you to lead the pack. When he sees you scared or threatened, he will also think there is a reason for him to also be scared or threatened, and he will begin to doubt your leadership skills if you cant confidently lead the pack and protect the pack. My dog was very very aggressive with other dogs but over time he knows that if a big dog approaches us I will either pick him up or I get real big and put my legs out to show the other dog I will not turn tail and run but I will fight. Stray dogs almost always back down when I do this. A lot of dogs pretend to be tough but they are really only being aggressive because they are scared. Once you show them you will stand up to them if they want to fight, they tend to leave me alone. Your dog wants to trust you as an Alpha, but he has to know that you got his back and that if a bigger dog comes to hurt him or pick on him, you will fight on his behalf (of course you don't really want to fight another dog, you just want them to think you will). Another thing I think that has helped my dog to be less agressive with other dogs is that I frequently pick him up and hold him if there is danger around such as a fast approaching stray or a car coming when we walk where there is no sidewalk (which is common where I live). If the stray or the other dog isn't running up to us, then I repeatedly tell him no, no barking. In the beginning when I got him I would tell him no barking and he wouldnt listen at all, but over time he began to trust me and my confidence (faked of course) but as I conquered some of these issues with my dog our bond became stronger and he listens much better to me now than to anyone else in the house. He barely barks anymore when we are on our walk and passing by a backyard full of big dogs, because he knows I'd kill for him. That's the loyalty of the pack and the loyalty of the brotherhood or men who come back from war. This is why they say dogs are a man's best friend. I don't know about you but most men (or good men) would die for their family or die for the woman they love, just as my dog would. I learned from a dog trainer in California who was on a show called Canine Intervention, I encourage you to watch it as it shows and teaches you to deal with aggression in dogs, especially in big dogs where their aggression could get them euthanized really quick in America. THe show was on ...
Hmm well it’s not easy no matter what cezar Milan might show on his show. It takes time and often building the confidence of the other dog. I have recently taken a 2 year old on leash aggressive towards other dogs and people into a group hike that will hopefully turn into a dog park situation.
Btw can’t believe I can’t leave more information in this Q&A forum. Rover is so frustrating they have no platform for sitters to share their knowledge and experiences their repeat schedule calendar often glitches. I’m frustrated with their platform.