My 16mth old Golden Retriever seems to want to dominate other (mainly female) dogs when out. She does this by growling and putting her paws on them trying to get them to submit. I've had one (puppy) dog owner get extremely upset over this but others have told me this is normal behaviour - is it?

How can I address it? We are still continuing training (she will come, sit, drop her toy, wait for food, wait to be last through the door etc) but anything else I can do? She is as yet unspeyed (this will be booked in once she starts her next season so we can ensure it's 8wks from season start at vet's request). Will speying make a difference?

She is absolutely fine with people by the way, have no concerns with that aspect at all. But I'd really like her to be able to interact with other dogs without trying to dominate them.

Should add she is my first dog (Mr Python has had dogs before and thinks I'm worrying too much), and I can't read dog behaviour well (having grown up with cats who I can read like a book LOL!).
Thanks

Forget dominance - what you are describing is unwanted behaviour regardless of what causes it. And it sounds like a lack of manners more than anything.

Recall her & pop on lead when ever there are any other dogs around until she has learnt to play nice. Ask the other dog owner if it is alright for the dogs to play & call her off if she starts showing the unwanted behaviour. Keep meetings short and sweet so she has plenty of opportunity to 'do well' and get rewarded for 'nice' play and little for the bad behaviour.

Spaying may help, but my girl still likes to hump my boy - something I don't recall her doing before getting spayed

I now pop her on the lead (or grab hold of collar) when we see other dogs unless taken by surprise (which was what happened with the pup - couple appeared from nowhere). I talk gently to her and praise when she acts well and a firm "no" when she doesn't. I tend to stick to remote areas of the country park we go to now to avoid other dogs, but I guess what I really need is like a dog walking group so she can learn to interact positively with other dogs.

Have you thought about training classes? I agree that avoiding the problem won't solve it, training classes would be an oppportunity to meet other dogs in a controlled environment and perhaps make some doggy friends you can walk with

Have been to 3 separate training classes in the past. First one was useless as 3 different trainers in 4 sessions and they didn't know what we had and hadn't done previously. Then tried another one which was on personal recommendation and my dog was called "the dog who loves everyone" as she was absolutely fine at this point. We discontinued training as all was well! However when my dog entered puberty is when she changed. After discussion with a couple out on a walk with their goldens, we're now with a training group which is with the local Golden Retriever Society. Dogs don't interact with each other though beyond just being in the same field

Think I need to find a local dog walking group!

I have the opposite problem. My 14 month old GSD has a perfect recall whe off her lead and is so gentle with other dogs and people.

However, when she is on her lead she is totally different. She barks and growls at other dogs and sometimes will bark at people if they walk too close...especially if they wear flourescent coats of if they appear to be 'lurking'.

It is so wierd and so frustrating as I know that off her lead she is so pleasant and a model dog. I'm restricting off lead walks for a while to try to get her a bit more used to people and dogs walking past and I'm going to speak with the vet about it later this week when she has her boosters.

Garlic, that is suprisingly common.

Off lead, she could run if she felt threatened. On lead she can't. And she knows it.

There are things you can do - mostly desensitising exercises - basically have a friend walk by at the edge of her comfort zone and reward with a high value treat if she doesn't react or reacts possitively, gradually getting closer. You might want to get an animal behaviourist to help you at first - your vet should be able to recommend one but its best they are members of APBC.

Sounds a lovely dog - think you had a photo of her on another thread?

Thanks StressMonkey, she really is a lovely dog and with such a good nature...if a little mischevious She used to go to a dog creche as a pup so I think I may have her back there again occassionally...it is expensive but she did love running free with lots of other dogs and people for the day.

There have been roadworks near me recently so i've been asking the workmen to give her treats to try to desensitise (sp?) her to the yellow jackets and it has worked well. Just need the posty and his bright red jacket to meet her now

She had her last season just before Christmas so going to have her spayed next month which may help a little hopefully.

You lucky thing having a golden retriever, they're beautiful dogs. My opinion is that if you let dogs socialise they find they're level. I wouldn't let her play with younger or smaller dogs, if she's not patient with them, but allow her to play with dogs that are the same size or bigger. I think once she's been knocked back a few times she might calm down.

Thanks Joules. Socialising with other dogs is what I'd like for mine to do so she gets used to reading dog behaviour more, so I'm thinking of advertising for a walking group for older/bigger dogs.

She and I had a lovely long 2hr walk today at our local country park, and I got her to come to me whenever I saw another dog. Some owners were happy for her to then interact their dog when I explained she liked to dominate. One bloke said dogs need to socialise and find their own way. But I know other owners don't like it at all (the puppy incident last weekend had the couple shouting that my dog was dangerous and should be on a lead - the bloke looked like he was going to kick my dog - it was awful).

Garlic - hope your GSD settles down. The workmen giving her treats sounds like a great idea! Best of luck working it out with her.

Hi , I don't have much experience in the way of dog training but i wonder if you went to a local park like you have said you do & got to know the other dogs / walkers there ? Might be easier just doing that rather than setting up or trying to meet up with a specific dog walking group?
As i know my mum now knows all the local dogs in the area just from going to the same spots every day with their dog, you get to know them all. Then your dog will hopefully make some friends!

It sounds awful about what you said about the man looking like he was almost going to kick your dog.
My mum has similar problems with theirs as they have a huskamute whose 4 & huge, and because he looks quite aggressive people are so so quick to judge him - they are forever getting people shouting at them for owning such a 'ferocious' dog!! Despite the fact he'd rather lick you than bite you!!
He's such a sociable dog though, he loves running about with other dogs. But i think people just judge him for him being a big dog

Go to some obediance classes that will sort the issues out and also get your dog involved with others...they are also good fun from what i have seen...however there are many different types of people who do obediance classes...some a bit harder than others....I;d suggest going for slightly fluffier classes however absolutely nothing wrong with being taugh that putting a dog on it's back when it's been naughty as it is a submissive position and the dog will realise it's done soemthing wrong...it's a non-violent action too. Just the sort of thing to do when your dog tried to dominate - you need to do it quickly though, A good teacher will show you how.

Dont fall for all that rolling on the back dominance rubbish. Besides the dog isnt trying to dominate its just being a bit of a bully to other dogs in the park.

My 5 month old puppy is the same. He is extremely confident and a bully to other dogs, when he can get away with it. My trainer says the best way for him to learn is to interact with other dogs who will teach him manners. I have to intervene if he gets too rough and be careful about who I let him play with for now but I'm confident it will come good eventually.

Perhaps use a long line with your dog then you have control over her and make sure she is coming back when you call her, even if you have to go and get her.

Oh and dont worry too much about the puppy owners, their dog is obviously perfect Lets see how they get on when it hits the teenage phase! In my opinion no dog is perfect all the time, so I try and give everyone a break unless its a serial offender or if the dog was to actually bite. Find some like minded dog walkers who have dogs who wont mind putting your girl in her place. A confident dog can often do this just with a warning look or body language.

At 14 months your dog is still developing her communication skills so does need to interact with other dogs. My older dogs behaviour changed alot between 1.5 and 2 years. Keep up the training and in another year you will have a lovely well mannered dog.

Actually, there is a HELL of a lot wrong with that

Understanding of dog behaviour and training have moved on massively since the Monks of New Skete!! Try reading some Jean Donaldson

Just to add, (not sure what your usual practice is) when she is on a lead, make sure that the lead remains loose / slack even when near / approaching other dogs.

If she detects that the lead is tight (especially when associated with approaching "danger") this can potentially "confirm" that there is a problem and they may become agitated.

Keep the lead slack but obviously be ready to take up the slack just in case.

Walk on confidently (even if you don't feel it) and she will take her confidence from you.

Ah, sorry your mum has that with her dog and other people.
The place we go to is quite a big country park so we don't usually see the same people unfortunately, even walking at the same time each day.

Thanks but as I said previously we already do obedience classes.

Thanks Sarah - isn't dominant behaviour the same as bullying tho? It's both wanting to be "top dog" pardon the pun!
I do have a long lead for her, but at 16mths she needs exercise off lead too (chasing a ball mainly) as a walk on lead isn't enough.
Maybe this is just the moody teenage stage, and further training and socialisation will get us through as you say.

I think you're doing the right thing. They do need to socialise don't they. I think that lot last week were a bit out of order to be honest. My dog has been bitten (not badly) a couple of times by other dogs, but it's taught her the pecking order.