QUESTION:
I have three Papillon bitches, two are three years old and one is nine. We often go for walks and everything is fine until we meet another dog. The nine year old will bark and lunge at every dog we meet, and even though she can’t do any harm because of her size, it’s unpleasant that she behaves like this. Besides, she may actually get hurt eventually – it surprises me that other dogs have put up with her for so long. I suppose she’s really insecure and she’s usually fine once she’s had the chance to get to know the dogs. I used to jerk the leash when she behaved like this, but stopped doing that after reading your book “On Talking Terms with Dogs”. It seems like the less I care, the better she behaves. But I’d like her to become even better. Is there anything I can do other than doing nothing?

ANSWER:
The problem is very common, and it is often a result of jerking of the leash. I’m pretty sure you can train her to get much better, but it’s natural that some bitches have periods in their heat cycle during which they are extra grumpy. The only thing that can make those periods go away is to have her neutered. If she’s grumpy most of the time, it’s likely that it’s not related to her heat cycles and something that can be improved with training.

When you start the training, it’s important that you only have that one dog with you. And to turn her attitude around, it’s vital that she learn to associate other dogs with good things rather than unpleasant things, such as jerking on the leash. Go to places where you have enough room to meet other dog at an adequate distance. The second she sees another dog, praise and reward her. Praise and reward her before she has a chance to react to the other dog, while she is still calm. If you do this 10-15 minutes a week and avoid meeting dogs up close (at distances where she starts barking and acting up), she will come to the point where she can pass other dogs in a better way. It may be difficult to start this training on your own and getting a private trainer to help you out is an option.

Turid Rugaas