Socializing With Dogs We have a very sweet 6 year old mixed breed that cannot socialize with other dogs. She likes people but she cowers, sneers and growls when she is near any of our friends dogs. We rescued her from a shelter when she was 3 1/2. We were told that she was left at the shelter with her 6 new puppies. The reason for giving her up was that "she did not get along with the larger dog in the house". We have tried to help her to get to know our friends and their dogs. but the problem persists. Can you help? Thanks! Karen Hi Karen, Sometimes there are dogs that just prefer humans to other dogs due to past experiences. You can work with this but will take a lot of time and patience. If you have a friend with a mellow dog, try walking together, don't force your dog to do anything she doesn't want to, but keep moving. Start at a little distance and as she gets use to the other dog near by, decrease the distance. Give lots of treats and keep cheerful, don't reinforce negative behavior with telling her it O.K. and such. Try to keep moving, this doesn't give her time to think about the other dog. As she gets good at walking and relaxes, try sitting at opposite sides of a bench or wall. Again look for her comfort zone. Continue till you feel she has relaxed, then try and go to a friends fenced in yard, not yours or the other dogs. Let them both drag their leashes, just in case you need to grab her. Ignore them and just walk around, let them approach each other in their own time. You might have to do this a few times.Never force other dogs on her, she needs to feel comfortable. Her actions could be fear so go slow. Good luck, keep me posted, Lisa Bark & Browse

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