shelter dog loves people, hates other dogs!

Question
QUESTION: Hello there...

About two weeks ago I adopted a 25 lb. spayed female dog from a shelter. She is between 6 and 8 years old. She is a mix of several different breeds, and neither the shelter nor the vet is certain exactly what's in there, but our best guesses are that she contains some dachshund, blue heeler / cattle dog, some sort of terrier, and maybe even a little black lab!

She is super sweet with people. Every single person she's ever met has been greeted with kisses and love.

Other dogs, however, are a different story. I take her to work with me everyday (a small web design firm) where she sits quietly by my desk. However, there are two other dogs here: a young male grey hound, and an older male brittany spaniel. Anytime one of them gets remotely close, she barks her head off at them, scaring them away. I have to keep her leashed constantly and be ready to restrain her as soon as I hear either one of them getting anywhere near. It's quite a tense environment.

We've taken them on walks together at lunch time, and she does great with the other two. They walk alongside each other, sniff and get near, we tie them together to a pole while we quickly run inside a restaurant to pick up our food, and they do fine together. As soon as we get back inside, however, she's back on patrol, waiting for them to get near so she can bark and lunge at them. If we sit with our dogs a safe distance apart, they can do all right, but we can't be off our guard or let them anywhere near each other.

She does the same thing with the other dogs she sees indoors: my father's two collies, and my girlfriend's large chocolate lab. Interestingly, when I take her on walks and she sees another dog behind a fence, they get right next to each other, sniff and kiss each other and everything is fine.

It's very strange how protective she gets indoors. She's still protective outdoors, but she warms up much better. I need her to become better behaved or else I won't be able to bring her into work and she'll be home alone all day. Is there anything I can do?

ANSWER: Hey, Jonah,

Does she have any games that she likes to play? Does she ever get a chance to play outdoors with other dogs? Have you considered crating her when she's at the office?

Let me know,

LCK


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks, LCK. I'm not sure of any games she likes to play. She's not big into fetching and tricks. We usually just take them on walks outside. What games do you recommend?

I guess crating is an option at the office, but I would like for her to be able to roam somewhat freely.

Answer
I'd recommend tug and fetch. There are ways to induce a dog to play these games. See this article: http://www.tiny.cc/jumpstart

As for wanting her to roam freely thru the office, that's fine in theory, but it makes the entire office into her "den." Which then creates this kind of "territorial" thing she gets into with the other dogs, even though they're her friends when she's walking with them.

Also, and I don't know this sure, but it sounds to me like a lot of her behaviors are coming from the dachshund side of her genetic background. I think having a crate, her own little hidey-hole, if you will, of her very own, may make her less protective of the whole office, and only protective of the crate.

To me the primary thing, though, is to get her to play. Play is essential for a dog's happiness and well being. Plus it stimulates brain growth factors, dopamine, endorphins, helps develop social skills, and reduces a lot of tension.

I hope this helps. If not, let me know.

LCK
(Sorry for the lateness of my reply; I thought I'd already answered your follow-up question!)