[RhodaTse]

I am wondering why Charlie just hates big dogs.
I think I found a reason but not sure. Our neighbors across has at least 4 big dogs, constantly barking, howling, and usually chain barking. It is very annoying and Charlie would echo their bark then the whole neighbors dog will follow too. It is like a symphony street, arrrrooo howling, and barking.
Ever since they move in, just 1/2 a year ago, this became a problem. One neighbor even call the police on them. I'm so worry that they 'll call on Charlie too.
So back to the big dog issue, He never like them, and bark at them each time he passes their yard. Of course, they will also.
When he sees big dog on the street, he will lung at them, small dogs seems ok. Can Charlie tells the difference? Or it is just the intimation issue, he is small too.

 

[Deenyb]

Hmm, maybe he does relate seeing a bigger dog he sees with the annoying ones that drive him nuts.
Interesting...

 

[Jennifer]

They can tell the difference between large or small dogs and their different colours etc. but if the large dogs that your neighbour have upset charlie then he may well have developed a dislike for all large dogs. Rosa doesn't like black dogs because when she was a puppy a large black lab chased her and frightened her half to death. Now if she sees a black dog in the distance she will howl at it.

She also recognises and dislikes dalmations because again when she was a young dog one bit her.

Experiences in their lives affect them more than we realise and they make that association everytime they encounter similar things or situations.

 

[Smeagle]

Maybe he feels intimidated by dogs larger than he is? Has he been socialised much with bigger dogs in a positive way? Do you have any friends with well behaved big dogs that you can socialise him with?

Daisy was raised with a bigger doggy and I was careful to socialise her with dogs of all sizes, she thinks she's a big dog too, lol.

 

[Erin]

My Daisy was HORRIBLE with big dogs when we first got her. The people at the shelter said she couldn't even be around them. Well, this upset me because I had been under the impression that she was great with other dogs. We'd already gotten attached to her so we decided to keep her and work with her. The first time I took her to my parents house (they have two big yellow labs) she was AWFUL. I was so stressed out. If she even looked at them she growled and snarled and barked and her hair would all stand up. Fortunately the labs are very well behaved with other dogs so I was able to work with Daisy. It's been almost a year and we visit my parents every month or so for a few days. Now, we can let them roam around together and there are very few incidences. Daisy even tries to play sometimes. I think she just gets intimidated, because she's usually ok until the female lab starts barking. Then Daisy gets a little upset, but it's sooo much better than before. If you can find a neighbor or friend that has a well behaved big dog it will help tremendously. We're still working on Daisy not being toy possessive with other dogs but hopefully she'll get there.

 

[Zookeeper]

I agree with the others that controlled socialization with bigger dogs may help Charlee.

We had 2 yellow labs when we got duke, so he has always been used to big dogs and wants to play with them. With Violet, we just got lucky and she has no big dog issues (which is good, with Cassie around).

And it can be a bad experience that makes Charlee wary of them. When Cassie was 9 months old, my stepdaughter's Sheppard attacked her and she has had a problem with female dogs ever since. We were able to overcome it for the most part, but there are times she still tries to get dominant with Violet once in a while. Though I think part of that is jealousy and Queen Bee syndrome. LOL

 

[RhodaTse]

Charlie plays well in the dog park with big dogs, we go at least once a week. But once on leash, he attacks big dogs, he is only 26 lb.
I do not know how to react, to tell him NO, leave it, or tell him nicely to be good friends. I think I should be firm and be an alfa dog to tell him NO, leave it.
When asked the trainer, he said just go back to the rules of acting as an leader.