It’s Okay That Your Dog is Dog Selective
If you know me, Michelle Baker, then you know all about Willa Mae.
Willa Mae is my 7 year old staffy/ rottie mix that I often refers to as “the love of my life”. Willa Mae is high anxiety, high energy, high prey drive and extremely dog selective. She has lived only in complete safety and comfort her entire life, having been born into a rescue group and then adopted by me at 8 weeks old. She was well socialized during her puppy months and then into her young years at various doggie daycares and yet, sometimes the color of the sky seems to flip her fear, anxiety and stress switch. Where as she is perfectly fine with one dog, she’ll turn Cujo on the next. It’s just the way she is and it’s why I fondly refers to her as the Wild, Weird and Wonderful Willa Mae.
It is relatively common for dogs to be selective about their canine companions, contrary to prior popular opinion. This can also change as they age, like Willa Mae. Just like humans, dogs have their unique personalities and preferences. Some dogs may love the company of other dogs and get along well with any doggo they encounter, while others may be more particular about the dogs they feel comfortable around.
If your dog is dog-selective, it means they may not get along with every dog they meet, almost always due to fear. They might be friendly and sociable with some dogs, while they could display signs of anxiety, fear, or stress (which can lead to aggression) around others. This behavior can be influenced by a variety of factors, including past experiences, socialization history, age, and breed tendencies. And sometimes, it’s just because that’s who they are and that is perfectly fine, like Willa Mae.
It's essential to understand and respect your dog's preferences. Here are some tips for managing a dog-selective dog:
Supervision: Always supervise interactions with other dogs, especially if you are unsure how your dog will react. This helps prevent potential conflicts.
Positive experiences: Encourage positive interactions with well-matched dogs. Gradually introduce your dog to new doggo friends in controlled, safe, and supervised environments.
Training: Continue training efforts to improve your dog's ability to find safety IN YOU. Using trick training as a form of distraction coupled with high reward treats is a great way to teach your dog that if they ignore the other dogs they get a very valuable food item, like hot dogs! Proper training can help build confidence and reduce fear, anxiety and stress.
Recognize body language: Learn to read your dog's body language to understand when they are feeling comfortable or feeling stressed. This will allow you to intervene appropriately when needed. We’ll be doing a deep dive on this topic soon. So def check back.
Avoid stressful situations: If your dog is selective or uncomfortable around certain dogs, avoid putting them in situations that may cause unnecessary stress or conflict. The rule is: if you are unsure, don’t.
Consult a professional: If your dog's selective behavior becomes problematic or difficult to manage, consider seeking help from a professional dog behaviorist. Fear Free is an organization that is taking the “pet” out of petrified and has an awesome register of behaviorist (aka, trainers) for the Tampa Bay area. Check them out here.
Remember that not all dogs need to be social butterflies, and being dog-selective is not necessarily a problem. As long as you can manage their interactions and ensure their well-being, it's okay for your dog to have their preferences when it comes to other dogs. The key is to provide a safe and comfortable environment for your dog and respect their boundaries.
