Dog gone "crazy"

[APBTs2005]

My dog, a 1 year old, 60lbs, pit bull mix always loved to play with other dogs. He is fixed, but just two days ago at the dog park he suddenly attacked this male dog. The other dog, pit bull mix, was fixed and showed no aggerstion. My dog, Ivan, was shaking this poor dog back and forth. I ran and grabbed him away from the other dog. I was SO mad he stayed on the leash the whole time.
What i couldnt figure out was just 5 mins berfore this he was running around playing with another fixed male dog. I think the fight happened because the other dog might have went after my other dog(my two are very conected.)
The next day he started playing way to ruff with Razz(my other dog), to ruff to where he grabed his troated took him to the floor and dragged him. Even know he is trained to heel, sit, stay, down, shake, and come.... i almost want to have him put to sleep....and keep other dogs out of danger.

[mulroony]

For right now I would just keep the dog seperated until you can consult a behavorist. Do not leave it alone w/ the other dog. I am willing to bet w/ work this behavoir can be mostly prevented. You might want to get the dog checked out. It could be a medical reson for the aggression. Does it look like he was just taking play oo far or actually attacking your other dog? You probably should not let him offleash at the dog park for a while, but you can bring him and judge his behavoir while you still have control. Good luck, and don't give up on him yet

[princessjodi]

I agree 100% w/ Mulroony! Figure out what is going on in his mind and go from there. He is still young and just might be going through some growing pains.

[doberkim]

well, in my humble opinion, a pit bull (even a mix) has no real business at a dog park, period.

your dog is one that was bred for years to have dog aggression, and having it show up is NOT something that is horrible -- many dogs live quite well with dog aggression and a responsible dog owner. diligence, responsibility, training, and most importantly *NOT PUTTING YOUR DOG IN SITUATIONS HE MIGHT REACT INAPPROPRIATELY IN* is the key.

elegy on this board has two dog aggro pit bulls, and both of them are wonderful dogs who live together and have quite a full life. luce has her CGC and trains in obedience and hopefully will make her debut in rally soon, and shroom is her newer dog who is also training in obedience.

[Raised By Wolves]

Good post Mul!

Yes, please, no more dog parks.

I would see what a behaviorist or trainer/behaviorist has to say first. Sometimes, having a friend, or group of friends, who are also working with their dogs, can be of great help to each other. Walking in a parallel formation, with each dog and owner working independently of each other, can be a very good exercise. But the help of a professional is crucial to make this work, if you have no personal background in dog training or behavior.

D.Schaferhund, has mentioned groups like this in some of her posts. I would personally like to hear a little more about this...

[elegy]

he's a pit bull. what he's doing is completely normal and to be expected. he's not a danger to other dogs UNLESS YOU ALLOW HIM TO BE. you can train him to not act like a jerk while under control (read: leashed) in the company of other dogs, but he will never be safe loose around strange dogs in an uncontrolled environment. that does NOT make him a bad dog and is no reason for him to be euthanized.

like kim said, i have two dog-aggressive pit bulls. they are fine with certain dogs they know, and they are extremely aggressive toward others. they lead a fairly uneventful life. luce spent sunday morning at a rally obedience match surrounded by other dogs, and despite her aggression, and BECAUSE of her training and all the work i've done with her, she was perfectly well behaved, even though there were numerous dogs she'd have fought with in a heartbeat if she had been allowed to run free with them.

pit bulls do not belong in dog parks. see here. and here. and last but not least, here.

[rmci]

Great articles Elegy

[Ritz459]

Originally Posted by elegy

he's a pit bull. what he's doing is completely normal and to be expected. he's not a danger to other dogs UNLESS YOU ALLOW HIM TO BE. you can train him to not act like a jerk while under control (read: leashed) in the company of other dogs, but he will never be safe loose around strange dogs in an uncontrolled environment. that does NOT make him a bad dog and is no reason for him to be euthanized.

like kim said, i have two dog-aggressive pit bulls. they are fine with certain dogs they know, and they are extremely aggressive toward others. they lead a fairly uneventful life. luce spent sunday morning at a rally obedience match surrounded by other dogs, and despite her aggression, and BECAUSE of her training and all the work i've done with her, she was perfectly well behaved, even though there were numerous dogs she'd have fought with in a heartbeat if she had been allowed to run free with them.

pit bulls do not belong in dog parks. see here. and here. and last but not least, here.

I agree. I have a dog aggresive Labrador mix, and he lives a perfectally fine life. I had him in an obedience class, and he now tolorates other dogs that are on leash and/or not bothering him. Even though he now doesn't act out, I would never ever, ever, ever, ever, let him offleash with a strange dog. He has never hurt a dog before, but boy, he sure has went after them.

[APBTs2005]

on the leash he has been getting worse, he rasies he tail and hair...even while there far away....he doesnt growl but kinda whines? When he marks he terriroty he flicks dirt back at where he marked, what does that mean??

[elegy]

he's growing up. it's normal that he's going to get worse. 1-2 years is typical for a dog to reach social maturity and that's when the dog-dog aggression generally shows up, though the potential is always there. his hackles being raised means he's excited. he needs training, period.

i'd suggest checking the apdt website for a trainer in your area.

[APBTs2005]

OMG read the whole thing he IS trained

[mulroony]

Training never really ends w/ a dog. What they were sugguesting is more like getting a behavoirist to come to your home/where ever (most do), and evaluate the behavoir and suggest methods for correcting the problem. It is really hard to evaluate a behavoir w/out being there to see the dog. You might be leaving some things out that you do not even realize that could sugguest two completely different methods of correction.

Everyone here is just trying to help YOU. Keep that in mind.

[APBTs2005]

and if it doesnt work, if there is no helping him then what??

[GSD]

Originally Posted by APBTs2005

OMG read the whole thing he IS trained

i suggest you read the whole thing and see what people are trying to tell you. at 1 year old, you dog is not trained, he may have some training, but no dog learns everything they need to know by 1 year of age. This is also the text book age when dogs such as yours start to mature and dog aggression can become a real problem, this was also mentioned. And no matter what type of behaviorist, or trainer or book you read whether it works or not, you will always have to watch your dog very carefully around other dogs and always be in control of every situation.

[mulroony]

Originally Posted by APBTs2005

and if it doesnt work, if there is no helping him then what??

Then you cross that road when you come to it. I bet there are few dogs out there that with constant work, dedication, and consistancy would not be able to achieve an acceptable level of behavior. Maybe yo will never be able to have him at a place around dogs, or even really out in public, but that does not mean he cannot live a healthy happy life in your home.