Overly aggresive dogs?

Elvish Legion · 01-21-2005, 12:31 PM

Well I have two dogs, and mostly they get a long fine. When I walk them each by them selves and other dogs are around they are fine. When I walk them both my lab(mix?) gets very aggressive and trys to attack other dogs (normally dogs that are bigger, smaller dogs she ignores) Could this be a result of when she was a pup her and my other dog (both females) got into a fight and she almost lost her ear so she feels the need to lash out at bigger dogs? Or is it just she wasn't socilized enough earliy on?

Pugdawg1 · 01-21-2005, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elvish Legion

Well I have two dogs, and mostly they get a long fine. When I walk them each by them selves and other dogs are around they are fine. When I walk them both my lab(mix?) gets very aggressive and trys to attack other dogs (normally dogs that are bigger, smaller dogs she ignores) Could this be a result of when she was a pup her and my other dog (both females) got into a fight and she almost lost her ear so she feels the need to lash out at bigger dogs? Or is it just she wasn't socilized enough earliy on?

I think it's just lack of socialization. JMO. I am sure others can pipe up and give their educated opinions.

GSD · 01-21-2005, 02:27 PM

I think you got both parts right, its from socialization issues ( bad experiences) and from the attack when younger. A lot of times when a young dog or pup is attacked they fear other dogs. They learn that by acting aggressively or attacking first they can "win" and not be attacked themselves even by dogs taking no interest in them. Its a tough situation, i have to deal with that to an extent myself. The best solution i've found is to socialize it with other dogs i know and let my dog see that I can interact with the other dog before she does. this usually helps a lot and stops the aggressive behavior. After i've done that once or twice she's fine with the other dog. Strange dogs I just keep her away from, I don't really want her playing with strange dogs anyway, its not a good habit of getting into IMO. I can usually keep her attention and when we're working/training she ignores them completely (most times) so its not a problem anymore, but that took some work.

poodlesmom · 01-21-2005, 04:47 PM

Your lab mix is fine with other dogs when it's just her on the walk with you and only does this when your other dog is with you. It almost sounds to me as tho perhaps she feels as tho she needs to protect your other dog. She might be doing this because of the fight that happened when the 2 of them were together that time.

I would suggest continuing to walk the 2 of them together around dogs that you know aren't aggressive and try to desensitize her of the need to protect her housemate. When other dogs come around try to keep her attention and make it a positive experience even if you have to use some really yummy treats to hold her attention.

flyndog · 01-21-2005, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSD

Strange dogs I just keep her away from, I don't really want her playing with strange dogs anyway, its not a good habit of getting into IMO. I can usually keep her attention and when we're working/training she ignores them completely (most times) so its not a problem anymore, but that took some work.

I agree with GSD. Letting our dogs play with strange dogs isn't a good idea. You don't know how a strange dog will act or how healthy they are. People hear so much about the importance of socializing their dog that sometimes they just go overboard (usually too late) with trying to make their dogs meet and greet and like all other dogs. It's just not necessary. Dogs aren't going to like every dog they meet just because it's another dog. I don'' like every person I meet just because they're human. I have the same situation as GSD has with Cozy. It takes work to keep her mind off of other dogs when we're in a group. Of course, Cozy has the attention span of gnat...
Kit

Elvish Legion · 01-21-2005, 05:05 PM

The one trick I've learned to avoid her out bursts is to lightly tab her under belly with my heel, not hard just a little tap enough to get that "hey you look at me not the dog" my other dog can be agressive when another dog comes near me out of nowhere, or jumps on me (protective of me, where as lab doesnt want anything to do with MOST dogs near me)

GSD · 01-21-2005, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyndog

Of course, Cozy has the attention span of gnat...
Kit

That might be a good thing, if her attention span is anything like some of the gnats up here in the summer time. They seem to never stop paying attention to me

01-21-2005, 12:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
Elvish Legion Lab Lover Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 30 Rep Power: 73	Overly aggresive dogs? Well I have two dogs, and mostly they get a long fine. When I walk them each by them selves and other dogs are around they are fine. When I walk them both my lab(mix?) gets very aggressive and trys to attack other dogs (normally dogs that are bigger, smaller dogs she ignores) Could this be a result of when she was a pup her and my other dog (both females) got into a fight and she almost lost her ear so she feels the need to lash out at bigger dogs? Or is it just she wasn't socilized enough earliy on?

01-21-2005, 02:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
GSD Herding dogs Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: WI Posts: 1,147 Rep Power: 140	I think you got both parts right, its from socialization issues ( bad experiences) and from the attack when younger. A lot of times when a young dog or pup is attacked they fear other dogs. They learn that by acting aggressively or attacking first they can "win" and not be attacked themselves even by dogs taking no interest in them. Its a tough situation, i have to deal with that to an extent myself. The best solution i've found is to socialize it with other dogs i know and let my dog see that I can interact with the other dog before she does. this usually helps a lot and stops the aggressive behavior. After i've done that once or twice she's fine with the other dog. Strange dogs I just keep her away from, I don't really want her playing with strange dogs anyway, its not a good habit of getting into IMO. I can usually keep her attention and when we're working/training she ignores them completely (most times) so its not a problem anymore, but that took some work.

01-21-2005, 04:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
poodlesmom Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: upstate NY Posts: 1,389 Rep Power: 114	Your lab mix is fine with other dogs when it's just her on the walk with you and only does this when your other dog is with you. It almost sounds to me as tho perhaps she feels as tho she needs to protect your other dog. She might be doing this because of the fight that happened when the 2 of them were together that time. I would suggest continuing to walk the 2 of them together around dogs that you know aren't aggressive and try to desensitize her of the need to protect her housemate. When other dogs come around try to keep her attention and make it a positive experience even if you have to use some really yummy treats to hold her attention.

01-21-2005, 05:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
Elvish Legion Lab Lover Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 30 Rep Power: 73	The one trick I've learned to avoid her out bursts is to lightly tab her under belly with my heel, not hard just a little tap enough to get that "hey you look at me not the dog" my other dog can be agressive when another dog comes near me out of nowhere, or jumps on me (protective of me, where as lab doesnt want anything to do with MOST dogs near me)

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