Ask Me Help Desk - Dog Aggression.

I have to say it may not be cured completely, but it can be controlled. I don't let Lady decide where we can and can't go.

She has severe dog aggression, but we are to the point where she can ignore other dogs, and not become stressed out or nervous. We can be in public places and I have no fear of her attacking another dog if it approaches. I also now how to intervene before it ever becomes an issue.

She used to hate my other dog Max, couldn't even stand to be in the same room as him. Now I can take her in the same vehicle as well as camp in samller quarters with out a fight breaking out.

Lucky are you saying your dog would snap at a person who approached them in public?

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Lucky are you saying your dog would snap at a person who approached them in public?

No, she has no aggression towards other people, and quite honestly, I don't know how she'd react if someone's dog came over and stuck its face in hers.

She's very well under control. Very laid back and easy going in crowds of people. She loves little dogs. Very friendly towards little dogs and puppies. She never offers to lunge, snap or growl at other dogs. She ignores them. Some people allow their dogs to wander up to her. She tolerates it for the most part. The dogs she doesn't tolerate under any circumstance would be tall, black, hairy dogs. They're her #1 trigger. My Pit was my demo dog for some obedience classes. She can be in close quarters with other dogs as long as they don't sniff her.

My dog doesn't need to be friends with anyone. As long as she's not pulling me across the street to attach another dog, I'm good :) Which she has never EVER done that lol

But like I said, she's great with people. She's also great with my moms dogs and my boyfriends hairy Golden. She's selective who she likes and who she doesn't. But I know how she is, so I just simply don't allow other peoples dogs to sniff her.

Ok good. I didn't think so, but I just wanted to ask to clear it up for me. :)

There are lots of different methods that can help you Emily. It's going to be trial and error for what works for you. I used clicker with Lady, along with behav mod. I really hated clicker, thought it was kind of stupid. But it worked. I am all for positive reinforcement.

I just thought I'd update you guys a little bit. I started teaching Duke the "Leave it" command, he was doing pretty good so we decided to take him to the dog park. Well he actually tried to fight a boxer and I said leave it, well he did for a short time but then tried again. I put his leash on him and made him sit beside me, I let him go again and he tried to fight another dog. A gentleman then approached me and said he worked with the local rescue and helped them with aggressive dogs. He asked to "borrow" my dog for a second. I said sure and he walked Duke around the park and then took him back up to the boxer and Duke growled and then went to snap at the boxer, the guy grabbed took put him on the ground and held him there. The guy said this is how dogs in the wild discipline each other... Supposedly you hold the dog down until you feel it go calm and then let it back up... I just don't know if this sounds right?

Definitely no a method I practice. And no this is not how they "discipline" each other in the wild.

I've heard of this method and it's my understanding it creates a frustrated dog (from being pinned down).

I am MORE concerned that you handed your dog over to a complete stranger AND allowed that complete stranger to put his hands on your dog and discipline your dog.

How old are you?

Judy, Emily is 16 I think, and honestly, I think she is trying to do every thing she can to help her dog. Her family really isn't on board with the obedience classes, and as far as I know, has been using Lucky's training methods.

From what I can tell, her dog needs to see a behaviorist; but I don't think Emily has the funds at the moment. Last I remember she is trying to get a part time job to foot the cost of proper training.

I had no idea how old she was; however, at 16 I wouldn't allow anyone to put his/her hands on my dog. Perhaps you can explain - more gently than I did - that this is dangerous and certainly not helpful to/for the dog. Who knows who this self-proclaimed expert is? As I said - perhaps you can explain it more gently to her.

Trying to make your dog less aggressive by showing them you are the boss is a waste of time, Emily, aggression feeds aggression. From my experience pinning your dog and showing aggression is dangerous and could do more harm than good by making aggressive behavior in dogs worse.

When you are pinning the dog to the ground, your dog feels that he is not in control, as he is not, which will only instill more fear in your dog. When a dog is frightened he is more likely to lash out, snapping at anything in his path.

When you have an aggressive dog like yours Emily, unfortunately the dog park where he is off leash is not something you should be doing. Your dog is a liability and one of these days if you continue to let him be in these situations, he is going to do serious damage to either human or dog. Your dog will be euthanized and your family could be sued. And if I am not mistaken this is a pitbull mix is he not?

You need to be in control of every situation you and your dog are in. He needs to be leashed at all times. When your dog is showing aggression, you remove your dog from the situation. Yelling, jerking chains, hitting and pinning are only going to feed his fears. He sees that you are upset, but most likely will not associate your anger or fear with his actions. He picks up on your tension and will feed off that.

Emily, I know you are young, and I know you love your dogs and animals, but think of it this way, would you ever let a STRANGER in the park discipline your kids?

Would you send your kid off with a stranger to walk around the park, and then allow him to spank your child? I know there is a difference between kids and animals but, the theory is still there. YOU need to be in control of your dog, not some stranger from the park. And just so you know, you would have been held liable if your dog turned and snapped at this man.

I HAVE a protective dog - she's 140 pounds and I wouldn't call her aggressive. If she even thinks I'm in danger she begins to respond. I would NEVER take her to a dog park - even on lead. It makes her nervous and upsets her. She is absolutely under control and I can call her off with a snap of my fingers... BUT, again, she's not an easy dog.

And as far as the stranger and the dog - there are all sorts of crazies out there. OP is probably fortunate she even got the dog back. People are kidnapping dogs in NY (where I am) and using them as bait in dog fight rings.

Sixteen or not - you HAVE to be aware of the World when you have a living creature under your control.

Has anyone suggested SPCA (or something similar) training? In my area it's free.

I think she lives in a Provence where I used to live and as far as I know the town she lives in does not offer such a program.

Lady is aggressive towards other dogs, I could never take her to a dog park, leashed or not. She only weighs 65 lbs. Not that a 65lbs angry dog running towards me wouldn't make me crap my pants.

I hope I explained it well enough for her.

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Originally Posted by Emily94

I just thought I'd update you guys a little bit. I started teaching Duke the "Leave it" command, he was doing pretty good so we decided to take him to the dog park. Well he actually tried to fight a boxer and I said leave it, well he did for a short time but then tried again. I put his leash on him and made him sit beside me, i let him go again and he tried to fight another dog. A gentleman then approached me and said he worked with the local rescue and helped them with aggressive dogs. He asked to "borrow" my dog for a second. I said sure and he walked Duke around the park and then took him back up to the boxer and Duke growled and then went to snap at the boxer, the guy grabbed took put him on the ground and held him there. The guy said this is how dogs in the wild discipline each other... Supposedly you hold the dog down until you feel it go calm and then let it back up... I just don't know if this sounds right?

The "leave it" command is a good command your dog should know.. However, its not going to prevent your dog from showing aggression towards other dogs.

Don't ever let someone else handle your dog. Pinning a dog down in public in a place that they feel uncomfortable in the first place is very dangerous. Your dog could have bitten that man. Don't just let anyone handle your dog because they say they can train dogs. Every person has a different training technique. You should be the one using those types of methods. Your dog knows who you are and is less likely to snap at you (and yes, your dog can turn on you as well). He should have turned it into a lesson, not take over. This is your dog. All anyone can do is give suggestions, not take the bull by the horns and do it to prove to you it can be done. Pinning your dog accomplished nothing. Pinning your dog is a very VERY dominant move on your part. It is a dominance move and it means business... It is not a training technique I would ever advise anyone with an aggressive dog.

I'll say it again.. aggression is triggered by fear. It doesn't matter what kind of aggression it is, it is still fear based. The raised hair on the back of a dog means "I'm scared and I'll fight if I have to" Even tail wags can mean different things, not necessarily that the dog is happy... Many dogs have bitten that have wagging "happy" tails.

I strongly suggest you work with your dog more before you venture out to a park with other dogs. You may never have the opportunity to take your dog to the dog park.. Its not the end of the world. Your dog is not friendly with other dogs. You need to find an alternative for your dogs outtings. Forcing him to behave around other dogs is just going to make the situation worse. You yelling, snapping his leash, throwing him to the ground is only going to escalate the situation and make everything worse. Do you want him to fear people as well? Allowing others to take your dog and pin him to the ground in an area he is uncomfortable in is going to cause your dog to create another aggression feared response.

Do you honestly enjoy taking your dog to the dog park? Yelling at him every time he growls? Feeling embarrassed because your dog snapped at someone else's dog? That honestly can't be any fun on your part. Now just imagine how your dog feels. Everyone's in his space trying to be around you. He's in an area he doesn't like. Other dogs continue to pester him... Why are you trying to force your dog to be dog friendly? Its not going to happen. Even going to a behaviorist and spending the big bucks is not going to cure is dog aggression. The only thing that will be accomplished (and yes, it needs to be accomplished) is you learning the signs of your dog. Your dog learning your commands and both of you learning to ignore other dogs. You still can't go to a dog park, but maybe on walks with other people.. Going to functions where dogs are allowed. Dog parks aren't for everyone.. You need to start to accept that.

Another thing.. Teaching your dog a command for a short period isn't good enough. That command needs to be concrete. From your description, its not concrete enough.. Leave it means LEAVE IT.. Not to go back and do it again.

Good luck..

Just my 2 cents but I have found with my weenie's that if you are the pack leader from day one they behave for the most part lol. I can whistle and stop my male from aggression. He hates new people coming into the house. Always has. He is very protective. He does get along with other dogs though.

Human aggression and inter dog aggression are totally different. It is important to establish yourself as leader, and it sounds like you have great control over your dogs.