Debo is unsecure on the lead.

Since we moved back to Poland Debo was in few situations where he was growled at by other dog, nearly atacked by a dog, atacted by a dog . At some of this occasions he was on the lead and me or my husband tried to moved him away from the dog, with rises voices, trying to make it owner to get his dog away.We noticed that now Debo when meeting dogs, while on the lead acts funny. At first he's all happy waging tail but when the owner or we tried to pull the dogs away he will start growling. He's fine off the lead. I know he doesn't feel secure when on the lead but how can I stop it? What can I do with him to makes thing as they used to be?

Unfortunately I don't have any experience with this, however I am sure someone who will be able to help you will be along shortly

Thanks Kell.

I'm not sure, could it be that he's still a bit unsettled from the move?

But how can I make it better?

I'm really not sure, I'm sorry
If you meet anyone that's happy to, maybe give them a bit more time to say hello as it seems that he's unhappy when he or they are pulled away?
I hope someone else can give you some more helpful advise

Sazzle wrote:
If you meet anyone that's happy to, maybe give them a bit more time to say hello as it seems that he's unhappy when he or they are pulled away?

I too wish I could help more, but what Sazzle says here is the first place to start, surely. He's had some unfortunate experiences with unfriendly dogs which may have made him wary, but not all dogs are unfriendly and he needs to build up his confidence again, even if he is on a lead.

I am sure that others with more experience of this situation will be able to help. Meanwhile, don't despair! Be happy on your walks and try not to let your own fear "run down the lead".

I will try that. Sometimes it's Debo who starts growling when it's time to go and I pull him

Yesterday it happened again . We were waiting at the vet at the reception. The door to the vets room opened so I waited with Debo to let them go out first because I knew Debo stress level is high. Just to see that little dog walking out without the lead with little boy and his dad. Debo stood up ,tail wagging but very stiff. I could go anywhere we were stuck in the corner. The dog came straigh to us. They started sniffing eachothers. Dad asked his son to take his dog away and when he lifted his dog- Debo went for the dog . I know there is few things that made thinhs worse, like being inside, at the vet, on the lead..... But I want it to stop. I know he's not aggressive. Later that day he played with his girlfriend when from no where came Jack Russell all barking ,showing teeth. Debo came straigh to me, owner of Jack Russell called her back and brought her to us so she could say soryy . So she went for Debo's girl friend. Debo run to them and when the girl started the fight he was right back next to me. He didn't want to get involved.

Jola, I really wish that I could give some good advice, but the change in Debo's behaviour is something that I really have had no experience of.

From your latest post it does seem to show that Debo has not suddenly become aggressive, but confused. How long have you been in Poland with him? Did you speak to him in English in England and now Polish in Poland?

Hi Lynda. We always spoke to him in Polish,even in England. We've been with him here for over 2 mnths now. I reallly would like to help him to build confidence. As far as I know him if he got himself into a fight he will stand up for himself but also will try to back up. But on the lead it's a different story .

Thank you Jola. I was trying to explore what could be different now you are in Poland (apart from being attacked by a dog). It could be that Debo's confidence has been shaken by the attacks, and if you could find someone (preferably several people) with calm, relaxed dogs that you can walk Debo with, on leads, that would probably help him a lot.

The only other thing I can think of is that the attacks have, understandably, made you nervous and you tighten the lead and become stiff and tense, which will "run down the lead" and Debo will pick up on that and become defensive. If that's not the case, then please forgive me for mentioning it.

Has anyone else any suggestions?

I will try to find some nice dogs. Also was thinking of teaching him to ignore other dogs. And yes,you right I do feel nervous when we are about to walk next to dog. So it could be me.

Kennys going though a simular thing. I some times think he's frustated not being able to meet dogs properly. Once at the beach, a lady came over with her off lead bitch staffy, she was happy running around, came over to sniff Kenny, who was ok with it. He tried to run and play with her, but im not confident that he'll be ok. She kept coming back and fore, really playfull, as we tried to leave, kenny got a bit aggresive with her. I do think it's because he wanted to just run and play, but i couldnt take the risk. I hope things work out for you, sorry i cant really advice you, but im sure theres some1 here who can x

Today my OH took Debo for a walk. They've met female in season,very friendly. She was off the lead, my OH kept Debo on the lead because of the season. And they played together fine. I'm more and more convinced that a) he has problems only with dogs when on the lead, b) I might be the problem too. Someone told me to teach Debo to react on command let's go to avoid lead pulling.