Collect Questions

Hello everyone, I told you a couple of months ago about Sadie, a lurcher I adopted from a rescue shelter. She is a smashing dog, improving daily with her training.
We now let her off lead where it is quiet and her recall is very much better. However when she meets other dogs, when she is on the lead she is very "snarley" and barks and leaps at them. Is this her way of protecting us because she is on the lead?
It is making me very anxious about letting her of where there are other dogs, as I would be so upset if she attacked another dog or if in fact she got into a scrap and came off worse.
I feel this is holding up her socialising because I am getting nervous about it, and probably transmitting it to her.
Any ideas please
nippie x




Hi Nippie well done with Sadie
It sounds as if she was not well socialised as a puppy and did not learn to 'read the signals' given out by other dogs. A lot of dogs become defensive when on the lead because there instict to flee from trouble is removed. Do you know anyone with a friendly dog who would be willing to play off the lead with Sadie ?

This article by Shadowboxer may be of help to you..

..also when you go out try taking a toy and treats with you and distract Sadie when you see other dogs approaching so she gets used to them being near /passing her and learns to view them as not so much of a threat .




Hi nippie,
I really hope you get some good advice on socialising, I wish I could help, but Sadie sounds exactly like Lula, great when its just us and her, but terrible when we come across other dogs. I too am worried about her getting into a fight and possibly coming worst off
The only thing I could suggest is to divert her attention when passing other dogs with her favourite treat or toy,(we were taught this at dog training) this has been working to a certain extent but she sometimes isn't even bothered with that and still goes for other dogs! Hope someone can help you better




Hallo, my Maddy is starting to get pretty apprehensive of other dogs, she was very well socialised as a pup (well, she still is a pup! lol)so it's not that. I'm starting to think maybe it's hormones or something. She just likes to bark for every occasion

I'd start by introducing her to some dogs you know to be friendly and well trained and work up a bit at a time. Good luck




Thank you all for your replies.
She must have known I had written to you, because my OH took her out this am, (pouring with rain, so he volunteered to be the one to get wet lol) and while they were out and Sadie off the lead another dog appeared unexpectedly. Sadie apparently played quite nicely with her, other than pinching her ball, and the owner was happy to let them run for a while together. Whats more she came back when hubby had had enough and was ready to come home!
Our problem is Minihaha, we don't really have any previous history, so we don't know how much training she had had. I personally don't think she had even been talked to very much, as it has taken her so long to respond to anything. She is certainly far too busy off the lead to respond to treats!! So Loopylulu it is difficult to distract her, although we try.
I have found a friendly neighbour who has a Westie and we have started taking our afternoon walks together and maybe this is helping. Thanks random.
Anyway I'm feeling more positive today so I will keep you all informed




i had the same problem with lubo ..he had no recall wotso ever when we first got him
he also had no interest in titbits
however a squeeky toy was our saviour..got his attention every time
if you have seen any of the pics i have of lubo on dogweb 9 times out of 10 he has a toy in his mouth
i now go out with a bag of toy's makin sure i always keep the one that squeeks for when i need to get his attention ..
still needs ongoing training but he has come on leaps and bounds and i am so proud of him