Mistys Progress

Hi All,

Just thought I would give a little update on Mistys progress. I don't know why but the last month or so she has become really scared of people and gone back to barking whenever we meet anyone on the street. We have been doing the Watch me technique and giving her loads of treats to stop her barking and this has been really effective. We went on a long walk to the park and back last night and she was a star- we saw lots of people and there was loads of noises but she didn't bark once. We also met a lady she normally barks at and she had her dog with her- we got chatting and walked home together and Misty was a star.

Last weekend we took her to the local nature spot and she was fantastic- it was really really busy and she was great. I got her attention in the car park even though there were loads of people and cars there and she was great. No barking or lunging- she really is a little star.

However there is one thing I would like to see if we can stop her doing. A few weeks ago we met a very submissive King Charles and Misty straight away pinned them down. We have met a lot of other dogs since no problems. Today hubby took her to the field and they met a lovely dog and Misty and her were having a great game of chase. Then the game ended and they were just playing next to him and her owners when Misty pinned the dog down. The dog yelped and Misty straight away jumped off and hubby said she looked shocked. The other owners were fine and just laughed and said dogs always sort it out. Misty and the other dog went on to have another game of chase.
Tonight I took her to the park and a little black labroodle ran up to us. We were in the middle of doing a bit of training, I was throwing food and giving the leave command and she was doing great.Misty was on her long line and when the dog came over she immediately pinned it and the poor dog yelped. She wouldn't get off it so I had to pick her up by her harness as I couldn't bear hearing a dog yelp. There was no biting or growling just the pinning. The other owner was fine but I really want to stop her doing this. It seems she only does it to submissive dogs. She doe play rough with her spaniel friend and she does it to him but he never yelps and its only in play not straight away when they first meet.

We have been lucky that the other owners have been fine but I really want to stop this happening- does anyone have any ideas?

Sounds like Misty is coming along great Emma

The pinning down sounds like all play to me but I can imagine how you feel when she does it to someone's pooch that you don't know. Not really sure how you can stop this other than to immediately take her off the other dog with a firm no so that she knows it's a behaviour you aren't happy with then a sit and reward

Thanks Ian, yes I like that idea of saying no but then asking for a sit and reward. I hope she will learn it quickly as its not good to watch but she doesn't jump on dogs anymore unless they are playing so I'm very confident she will learn.
Thanks for the advice!