snappy dog

peppermama2009

Hi all ,

I am new to this forum. I have a beautiful 1 year old baby but I have one minor problem:

my dog is not sociable at the park and snaps at other dogs mouths when they try and come near her. she is not an agressive dog she is a staffy x border collie. she is very well behaved other than this and we have chihuahuas at home and she is fine with them. she play fights with the littlest chihuahua who often bites at her mouth is this the cause? and how can i prevent this from happening with new dogs that she meets. we take her to the dog park every day but she keeps doing it and doesnt like socialising with other dogs .

Would love to get your advice on this!

Thanks

peppermama

kmes

I have 2 thoughts...
First, when she snaps, is it play or warning the other dog not to come near???

Second, If it seems that she doesn't like playing/socializing with new dogs then why are you taking her to the dog park??? There are lots of other ways to socialize your dog that she may enjoy.

Tess

I guess one thing would be to figure out if she is actually a little afraid of other dogs. That is often the case when they snap and such. The fact she is not hurting the other dogs is good, and means she has some "bite inhibition" and is probably just telling the other dogs that she does not want them nearby. She may just be a dog who does not want to play with stranger dogs, and that is probably just fine. If she is also a little fearful, then working with her to help her get over her fears might be rewarding.
There is a poster here named "Criosphynx" who is an expert on this!

I would not worry about her playing with your other dogs as a cause for this issue. In fact, that is a nice healthy thing for her, so long as it appears to be enjoyable to both dogs, as it seems from your description.

pawzaddict

If she is not enjoying other dogs and actually snapping at dogs she needs to not be at a dog park.

What is the situation? Is she just standing there and when a dog approaches she snaps at them? Is she growling? Does she have a toy? Is she sitting by you or off running around? How are the dogs approaching her?
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Criosphynx

you asked your question and answered it in the next line...shes not a social butterfly. Thats OK. Just like not all people like rave parties, not all dogs like dog parks. Its like going to a company christmas party every day.

I'd find one or two dogs shes likes and set up playdates, if that doesn't work...once again thats OK for her to not be social...it sounds like you want her to be social, so you are trying to force it...alot of people do this...its a human thing

listen to your dog, she doesn't like the park, don't take her anymore Find som'thing she DOES LIKE, and do that instead.

peppermama2009

Thanks everyone for your prompt replys, it is all really helpful. In a nutshell she ddoesnt growl, bite or show agression just snaps at other dogs when they come over to her and sniff her. she loves going to the park and running and chasing her ball it is her favourite activity- so it isnt that she doesnt enjoy going to the park. She isnt protective of her ball because sometimes other dogs chase the ball with her and she doesnt mind its when she is running back to me and they are trying to play and get the ball she drops the ball and runs to us. you asked when she snaps and it is only when she is waiting for me to throw the ball. we have tried taking her to the park without the ball and she doenst really go far and the snappy thing happens in this case too so we dont think it is the protection of the ball. it doesnt just happen at the park- my brother has a blue heeler and he is a work dog and even when he comes over for a play she does the same thing in our house and his house. when she is walking dogs bark at her she just ignores them and doesnt snap in this instance. we are not trying to force her into anything because to us it really seems that the park is her favourite place to run and be free, we take her for walks as well. thanks guys