Anti-Social Behaviour when out

[JaJa]

Hi, I wondered if you could advise me on an issue I have with my 15mth old German Sh x border collie. When she is off the lead and happily running around and meets other new strange dogs, she is fine, she is cautious, sniffs, plays then moves on. However when she is on the lead and a strange dog walks past, minding its own business and is not agressive, she goes balistic and sounds quite menacing as she growls, barks, snarls and lunges. This is quite distressing behaviour for us as she is such a sweetie normally. She sometimes also lunges and growls at the waiters in restaurants when she is dozing under the table. But she never bites (we have spend many long mths teaching bite inhibition). We run our own business from home (we run a B&B)and are with her 24x7 and she has free run outside the house and in the small hamlet we live in. She knows all the kids, neighbours and other dogs and they all play together. She greets our guests who are nearly always strangers with no problems at all. Are we doing something wrong? Is our response to this unsociable behaviour encouraging her?
Any sound advise much appreciated. Thanks.

[Dragonfly]

What is your response to this behavior?

[JaJa]

Hi, well it varies from saying 'hey, whats that all about' in a calm light voice and pulling her back with the lead, whilst simultaneously apologising to the other dog owners, to grabbing her by her harness, pulling her back and saying no, bad dog in a stern voice and making her sit. She usually then settles, until the next time.

[JaJa]

Hi guys, I have just found another thread in the dog training forum dated 4 Nov 2004, dealing with this issue and have read their advice so thanks anyway. Sorry to have raised an issue already raised but I am new to the forum and still trawling thro' all the great q&a.

[Puppyluv]

JaJa, Glad you found the info you were looking for. No one minds old topics being brought up (I do it all the time), but it's great that you were able to find it!
BTW: Extremely jealous that you live in Thones, and can bring your furbaby to restaurants!

[jesse's mommy]

There are places that you can really do that at? That is so cool.

[kayla]

Apperently there is a little cafe on St Laurent you can bring your dogs into!

[jesse's mommy]

I need to move to Canada!

[jesse's mommy]

Oh, but wait, I forgot about the Pit Bull bans, I think I have to think this over because I can't imagine putting a muzzle on my baby.

[JaJa]

Hi, should have mentioned that I live in the Alps in France, and France is a country that still allows dogs into restaurants....or should I say well behaved, non growly, non-lunging dogs - not like our Romi! They actually have a very laid-back approach to life over here and a pesky dog/child is just treated with wonderful disdain that only the french can do. Great! Anyway, we'll be working on her going forward and just wanted to say what a great web site this is . I shall be forwarding it to all my english speaking french dog-owner friends for them to check out too !

[Puppyluv]

Originally Posted by jesse's mommy

I need to move to Canada!

LOL Thones is in France! Not Canada, we may speak French here, but we're still in the Western Hemisphere

[Puppyluv]

Originally Posted by jesse's mommy

Oh, but wait, I forgot about the Pit Bull bans, I think I have to think this over because I can't imagine putting a muzzle on my baby.

ARRGGHH Canada is MORE than just Ontario!!! (Although most Torontonians seem to disagree )

[jesse's mommy]

I thought it was in Canada because I saw there was also a London in Canada...

[Prin]

Ya, London, Ontario, Canada. There are still 9 other provinces and 3 territories where pitties are ok.