Baffled

muggsmom · 07-29-2007, 02:03 AM

As some of you know, I am having trouble with Muggs being dog aggressive. My ex lives on the 2nd floor of a 2 floor apt. building facing the front door. There are 4 other dogs in the building, all small. One is a tiny little thing, Scotty, 17 yrs old that his owner carries a lot. Muggs goes ballistic when he sees or hears any of them, but Scotty is the worst. He will also carry on if he sees them through the window. However, the other day we were sitting on the balcony and Scotty and his owner were coming in to the building. No reaction from Muggs at all. Couldn't believe my eyes. Of course, I praised him like he'd just discovered a cure for cancer. Today one of the dogs went by, Muggs was in the apt. He saw Kelsey through the door and went crazy like always. I opened the patio door (couldn't tell you why) and as soon as Muggs' feet hit the patio, he instantly stopped and just stood watching them through the railing. Later today I took him for a walk and Kelsey was out, and he went nuts like he always does. Any idea what the blazes is going on? I'm totally baffled.

borzoimom · 07-30-2007, 03:20 PM

Okay I will give this a shot.. I think on the balcony, having some idea of height, to your dog, its not as much as a territorial threat- orrr- being above them has raised the status of your dog in " his mind" that they are not on the 'same level' with him so there is no reason to 'make his point". Verses- being on the same level- there is in his "mind" " reason to make the point of just "who is top dog around here". As far as handling the situation, I think you need to get a good trainer or behaviorist to help with the situation. Without seeing all the body language etc, trying to help with aggression over the internet- is similar to trying to help in some health issues. . Let us know what the trainer/behaviorist has to offer as far as how to fix this when the dogs are on "the same plane"- ie off the balcony..

muggsmom · 07-30-2007, 05:24 PM

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense. Scotty, the 17 yr. old, is always being carried by his owner. Muggs instantly goes off as soon as he sees the man, even when he doesn't have Scotty. It's like he doesn't even wait to see Scotty, just assumes he's there.

I hadn't even thought of the height difference. I have spoken to a behaviourist and see is quite confident we can fix this problem. She doesn't think I'm being alpha enough. Just have to come up with the $.
Thank you so much for your help.

07-29-2007, 02:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
muggsmom Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ontario Posts: 99 Rep Power: 33	Baffled As some of you know, I am having trouble with Muggs being dog aggressive. My ex lives on the 2nd floor of a 2 floor apt. building facing the front door. There are 4 other dogs in the building, all small. One is a tiny little thing, Scotty, 17 yrs old that his owner carries a lot. Muggs goes ballistic when he sees or hears any of them, but Scotty is the worst. He will also carry on if he sees them through the window. However, the other day we were sitting on the balcony and Scotty and his owner were coming in to the building. No reaction from Muggs at all. Couldn't believe my eyes. Of course, I praised him like he'd just discovered a cure for cancer. Today one of the dogs went by, Muggs was in the apt. He saw Kelsey through the door and went crazy like always. I opened the patio door (couldn't tell you why) and as soon as Muggs' feet hit the patio, he instantly stopped and just stood watching them through the railing. Later today I took him for a walk and Kelsey was out, and he went nuts like he always does. Any idea what the blazes is going on? I'm totally baffled.

07-30-2007, 03:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
borzoimom Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 192 Rep Power: 0	Okay I will give this a shot.. I think on the balcony, having some idea of height, to your dog, its not as much as a territorial threat- orrr- being above them has raised the status of your dog in " his mind" that they are not on the 'same level' with him so there is no reason to 'make his point". Verses- being on the same level- there is in his "mind" " reason to make the point of just "who is top dog around here". As far as handling the situation, I think you need to get a good trainer or behaviorist to help with the situation. Without seeing all the body language etc, trying to help with aggression over the internet- is similar to trying to help in some health issues. . Let us know what the trainer/behaviorist has to offer as far as how to fix this when the dogs are on "the same plane"- ie off the balcony..
borzoimom Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 192 Rep Power: 0

07-30-2007, 05:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
muggsmom Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ontario Posts: 99 Rep Power: 33	Thanks, that makes a lot of sense. Scotty, the 17 yr. old, is always being carried by his owner. Muggs instantly goes off as soon as he sees the man, even when he doesn't have Scotty. It's like he doesn't even wait to see Scotty, just assumes he's there. I hadn't even thought of the height difference. I have spoken to a behaviourist and see is quite confident we can fix this problem. She doesn't think I'm being alpha enough. Just have to come up with the $. Thank you so much for your help.

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