dog training question

[dfw75201]

Need some help.

We adopted a dog a year ago. She's about 2 years old now and about 40 pounds. She is very, very sweet and playful with humans. BUT she gets aggressive around new dogs. She lives with our other dog who is a 70 pound male and they get along great (albeit with aggressive play fighting). We have introduced her to other male and female dogs and invariable there are fireworks for the first couple of minutes. A couple squirts from a water bottle calm her down and then they get along fine.

But, we don't always have the water bottle and sometimes during walks unleashed dogs come up to her and we panic. She has never bitten another dog (or human) but she snaps and it's not pretty.

Can this aggression be trained out or do we just have to acknowledge that this sweet dog can't be around other dogs?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Woland]

What kind of dog?

Some dogs are just dog aggressive. You just have to learn to manage them and the situations they are in. I have known aggressive dogs that were owned by excellent trainers. Sometimes the aggression is triggered by particular situations and you can just work to avoid those situations.

You say that you panic when unleashed dogs come up, so the dog may be sensing that and a protection mode is switching on. On the other hand, any dog that comes up to a strange dog deserves to get snapped at.

 

[dfw75201]

She's a mix of lots of things. The vet just called her a brown dog. She has some doberman coloring and most see some pit in her too. So, there is probably some natural aggression.

And we "panic" really in our own minds. We generally just guide her away on leash and she will ignore the other dog. Thankfully, she is not one to just bark endlessly.

Today, though a stray dog came up to play and before we could react, she was going after the little thing. Scared me, but we pulled her back and separated them with a stern "no".

 

[Woland]

Sounds like a management issue. By no fault of your own, the dog is no doubt dog aggressive. I know some excellent obedience dogs that exhibit the same behaviors. Continue to try to socialize her to other dogs, but make sure it is on leash. Praise her when she acts appropriately. Teach her some incapatible commands (sit, down, etc. )

Ive also been there myself. A loving dog to people, ready to attack another dog for no good reason. You will learn when problems are about to arise before they occur.

 

[TXEX96]

If she's anything like mine she'll probably be that way forever. Started obedience training when he was about 8 weeks, and he is perfect in every other aspect but damn aggressive toward other dogs that he doesnt know. We tried everything the trainers could come up with to "cure" it but it just wasnt meant to be. I think it's mainly because he grew up an only dog. Even though I socialized him a lot he really never more than tollerated another dog.

 

[Campus Loop(y)]

A guy in Austin, does not help you given your username, named Lee Mannix specializes in agressive dogs. Give them a call, maybe they have a phone fee consult. Check their website, maybe that has info.

It is never a great idea for one dog to be on lead and another not. The dog on lead is in a precarious position and will tend to be edgy.

Does your dog accept the alpha rollover w/out any problems or fighting? She may not totally accept the subordinate role and think of herself as an equal of sorts. Get the dog's temperment tested. Many kennels or training places will do this test for about 25 bucks. Is the dog hand shy if you pretend to hit her? Does she shy away or is she oblivious. things could have happened earlier in life.

By no means is this not correctable. But it will not be easy. Lots of patience, positive reinforcement and controlled tests of progress will be important. Good luck.

 

[dfw75201]

We are taking her for an assesment with Man's Best Friend up here in the D/FW area today.

She and our male dog have some sort of treaty about who is dominant. It's very conditional, but when he wants his way (which is rare) she let's him have it. She let's him through doors first, etc.

I know about introducing a dog on a lead to one that is not. I learned that the first time I tried to take my other dog into a dog park on lead and got yelled at by all the dog park mommies! We try to avoid that situation now.