Question:
My dog Elly-May is a miniature poodle and has lived with us ever since she was a puppy. Whenever we take her to see other dogs she snaps at them when they come close to her. She is five years old now and I was wondering is there any way we can get her to be social with dogs?
Bridgette Egan
Answer:
This is a difficult one because most of a dog’s social skills are learned when they are six to 18 weeks of age (which is known as the critical socialisation period). So while she can be trained to be better behaved around other dogs, you are never going to make her into a hugely social dog — it’s just not in her make-up. Having said that, sometimes this behaviour has an anxiety basis to it, which can be helped with medication and training.
Keep her a fair distance from other dogs and, before she gets upset, ask her to sit and give her a treat, telling her how good she is. Then take her away. Gradually you can do this, getting closer, but only if she doesn’t react. Make sure she gets no attention for this bad behaviour (which may reward it) — in other words, ignore her if she gets like this. She may also be very protective of you, so if you are relaxed she has less reason to worry.
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