Monty - scared stiff about dogs

He never used to be like that when he was younger...he was always a bit shyer with dogs than Milo was but he was never "afraid"..

then for the first time about 4 mnths ago on our walk we came upon a rottweiler offleash...she was approached us and i just kept walking..but as soo as she was within 5 metres of us Monty just stopped, sat down and would go any further, put his head up and started howling/squealing....i was a bit suprised and just picked him up and started walking...but i just dismissed it then because the rott was a big dog and if i was as small as monty id be afraid too...

quite recently however when any dog (big, small whatever) comes right up to him he'll squeal like its about to kill him and run right behind me and sit there behind my legs and continue squealing until you pick him up and comfort him...we had a little maltese come chasing after monty and he was scared out of his wits!

is this normal?? i thought most cavs are extremely friendly with all dogs?? is there any way of stopping this from happening because it'll be hard when people bring there dogs over...

thanks in advance..

oh btw just adding that i have no such problem with Milo...he is extremely friendly with dogs..not scared at all...

hi ,how old is he,because alfie has only recently got quite brave and he is a year old now,so maybe it ihs age.but i am just guessing.

Poor little Montie.

A couple of things come to mind. First up, if possible I'd take Monty to puppy training (is he still classified as puppy?) or dog obedience where he will get to meet lots of dog. If you've got any friends with big, well behaved, well mannered dogs, I'd organise some outings with them.

Second thing, is that it is probably not a good idea to pick Monty up if there is no real danger. I am thinking that by picking him up, you are re-inforcing what he thinks.... that there is danger. Also, by picking him up, he is not learning to socialise with & communicate with other dogs at his true level. That is, you are making him much higher than he is. At some stage he is going to have to learn to communicate up-hill with dogs much bigger than he is. If possible, just walk on by the big dog, calmly and do not respond to Monty's negative behaviour. If Monty puts the breaks on and you can't budge him, then I'd just stand quietly & calmy until the dog has walked by, without making any fuss over Monty at all.

I have a few similar issues with my two but in their case I can understand why as they have been attacked and they have not been properly socailised.

I would agree with not picking him up unless of course he is in danger and also with doing some or some more training.

I would suggest however walking them seperately and training him seperately so he can develop at his own pace and socialise at his own pace and have some time to develop his own personality and find out about himself and what he CAN DO. I say this as having terrible twins I often see one allowing the other to take on a certain role in a certain situation rather than experience it for themself or really get involved. I have also noticed a massive change in Harry's confidence (my most scared boy) when Digby is not around and he gets walked seperate.
Good luck. Poor little chap. Don't you wish they could just speak to tell us what the problem is !

Today when we were in puppy school I saw something that amazed me (cause it was so stupid) & puzzled me that the lady taking the class didn't even comment on it. There is this little fluff ball of 18 months with aggression/fear issues. I have no idea what it is doing in baby puppy classes, but anyway it was there. Every time a dog came near it, it went burko, and it's owner hurled it up in the air by the lead, so it is suspended above the other dogs in its harness. :bang: So I could immediately see two major issues happening here. 1 by elevating the dog, she is placing it in an alpha position way up high, which it sure hadn't earned, and 2 with it dangling above the other dogs with it's tender bits exposed it must have been extremely threatening for the little dog.

Nisha, that is not aimed at you. How you responded is quite understandable & reasonable. I only bought that up because it so flabbergasted me.

Ok..first of all thankyou for responding...

hi ,how old is he,because alfie has only recently got quite brave and he is a year old now,so maybe it ihs age.but i am just guessing.

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Monty is now 1 year 5 months old....but the thing is he used to be fearless and everything only now is he becoming scared..

A couple of things come to mind. First up, if possible I'd take Monty to puppy training (is he still classified as puppy?) or dog obedience where he will get to meet lots of dog.

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Thanks for that however Monty has often been around dogs and it hasnt really bothered him..its only now (well the last 4 mnths) he's started which really puzzles me

Second thing, is that it is probably not a good idea to pick Monty up if there is no real danger. I am thinking that by picking him up, you are re-inforcing what he thinks.... that there is danger. Also, by picking him up, he is not learning to socialise with & communicate with other dogs at his true level

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Thanks for the advice...i was actually thinking that maybe i shouldnt pick him up incase it makes him think whenever he makes a fuss ill pick him up....

If possible, just walk on by the big dog, calmly and do not respond to Monty's negative behaviour.

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Yeah i wouldve done that except all the big dogs that he's encountered have been offlead on walks and one of them (the rottweiler,who i know is pretty safe) has attacked me and my dachshund (ally) on a different occasion...though i think it Ally's fault as she always seemed to bark at dogs and aggravate them...however i didnt want to take the chance with Monty so i picked him up...also another time it was a really energetic lab that kept pouncing on my two (and although he was just playing)..i could see my two basically being crushed by him and monty was whining again so i just picked them up and went on.....
so although i just walk on whenever i can, if i feel the dogs are probably going to be hurt or anything i probably will pick them up (sorta giving mixed messages then).....i cant really help it because its always some off-lead big dog!!!..but i will try my best

and it's owner hurled it up in the air by the lead, so it is suspended above the other dogs in its harness.

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what in the world! so the poor dog was dangling in mid air!!!! that is so terribly mean!

im just really puzzled as to how this started because a) he never used to be like this and b) he has never had a bad experience with a dog so i dont think its some past incident that has made him like this!

Not wishing to sound like a smarty bum or like I'm being critical but maybe put yourself in his position. He is reaching teenagehood (I think?) in the doggy world and if you think about when we were kids we are mostly pretty fearless and laid back but then as we get older especially the teenage years we start to get our insecurities and become more aware of our surroundings which is scary ? I know dogs are not humans and definately do not have this sort of thought process but even so there may be a fraction of similarity that could help to explain the sudden change ?

I realise all this been said it still does provide you with a solution and it is an issue you want nipped in the bud.
Maybe then you need to work with a trainer a little to reinforce his abilities and give him some confidence, also try and make sure (a lot easier said than done) that his interactions with other dogs are largely positive even if that means getting in touch with your local obedience club and walking him or working with him around some other well trained dogs with responsible owners ?

I do feel for you having two anti social worry warts on my hands myself I realise it is something that you need to address asap. Good luck, hang in there and I guess just read him all the time looking for triggers.

Sorry couldnt reply earlier..have been away for the week...
Anyway thanks dor that..i understand what your saying and it does make a lot of sense....i think maybe i should just start socialising him more..when he was a pup we had lots of dogs with him now and then..now however they dont see many except in passing..

ill work on it and hopefully all will go well!