Dog Aggressive to other dogs

whatanidiot

Hey all,
I need some advice about my dog. He's two since February, neutered and generally the sweetest guy ever....that is until he sees another dog. I got him when he was about 5 months old. He had absolutely no training whatsoever. His mom had been taken in by friends of friends and she had puppies a few days later. I'd always said my first dog would be a staff and I just fell in love when I saw him a few months later (he's a staffie cross). He took to almost everything straight away. He was ok with most other dogs up until about 8 months ago when he got into a fight with another dog. We were playing ball in the back garden of a friends house and a dog came bounding in the side gate to join in. My guy went mad, growling and snarling at the poor guy and trying to get at him. I guess this was a territorial thing but I don't understand why so dramatically when it wasn't even his "home", we were actually just visiting for the weekend. Now its gotten so bad I'm actually embarrassed to take him anywhere that we might meet another dog which makes walks impossible. He's pulling to get to any dog in sight and where as before he'd sniff the dog and let them sniff him and even play now he just gets in a mood and if the dog even looks sideways at him he's off again growling. I totally blame myself for this, I just don't know what I've done wrong and its really getting me down that I've failed him. It was a week after the fight he got neutered, I spoke to the vet at the time and he suggested I give it a few months for that to settle but although he listens a lot more in other instances, with this I may as well not be there. Would anyone have any suggestions what I should do?
Thanks for reading, I know I've rambled so sorry it's so long

DBB

You poor thing OP, you seem so upset by the whole thing.
To cut a long post short, the problem you're having there is really common (I hope that makes you feel even a little bit better!), but it is also a really difficult problem to deal with on your own, without some really good professional help.
It needs a very controlled, systematic approach which is tweaked to suit the individual dog (and owner), and a properly qualified behaviourist should be well able to help you design and carry out such an approach that suits you.
Is this an option for you? If so, let us know where in the country you are as we may be able to send you in the right direction.
I wish you luck, you have one definite positive on your side... You really want to fix this! A session with a good behaviourist will reveal a huge amount about where your pup is coming from, you'll no doubt find it really interesting!

Tranceypoo

I can totally sympathise, when I got my 2nd dog she was fine at first but after being ran at by various dogs whilst out walking, she started being really defensive when meeting any dog and then would lunge at them, barking and screaming - embarassing, upsetting and potentially an accident waiting to happen (depending on whether the other dog was with a person and on a lead or not, my dog is always always on a lead), I posted about it on here and actually it was DBB who recommended this
http://functionalrewards.com/

Now it's an ongoing training situation with her and we have good days and not so good days, it's more difficult when I'm walking the two together, but I am persevering and she has had some positive experiences with other dogs, it's like 2 steps forward and 1 step back, but there has been a definite improvement in her and also in me and the way I handle situations. It's not always easy or practical to do it but have a look at the website and maybe give it a go. I know I used to pull her and shout and get really het up and that it just the worse thing you can do, but it's easier said than done to remain calm and collected, I have to work on it!!

Good luck with it!

Bannasidhe

I am having a similar problem with a rescue dog I got a month ago. She is a lovely, lovely affectionate dog and has become very attached to our other dog but when she meets a strange dog 9 times out of 10 the hello sniff ends with her snapping and snarling at them. Even if she sees a strange dog in the distance her hackles come up and she goes into hunter/stalk mode.

We are praising her outrageously when she ignores dogs in the distance or just sniffs hello to ones she meets and then moves on and it seems to be working. She had 3 walks yesterday - 2 on leash and one runaround in an enclosed dog walking area and she either ignored other dogs or had a quick sniff.

But I do have to watch her like a hawk and keep talking calmly to her -telling her to be 'good' and assuring her it's ok. Then lavish the praise on her with a quick tummy rub.

Tranceypoo

Bannasidhe wrote: »

I am having a similar problem with a rescue dog I got a month ago. She is a lovely, lovely affectionate dog and has become very attached to our other dog but when she meets a strange dog 9 times out of 10 the hello sniff ends with her snapping and snarling at them. Even if she sees a strange dog in the distance her hackles come up and she goes into hunter/stalk mode.

QUOTE]

You could be talking about my younger dog!!

cjf

I have a very fear aggressive dog. She reacts to both people and dogs. We did loads of puppy socialisation classes when she was a pup and obedience classes which slightly improved her tolerance of being around other dogs. We started agility during the summer and must say its the best thing I have done for her she is doing amazing. A staffy x too she just loves it and was so quick to pick it up. While she will never win any prizes for being a social dog and we don't meet and greet with any dogs she is now comfortable being in a place with other dogs and her confidence has grown so much. Now out walking if we see a strange dog she doesn't react we just walk on by no bother. I don't let her within touching distance of any other dogs and it seems that she is now confident knowing I won't allow her in a situation she isn't comfortable in and so trusts me to take control of how close we are to other dogs. I found the agility has really built a great trust and I leave class every week with a huge smile on my face and a really happy dog! We are so busy working together her focus is on me and the course and not on what the other dogs are doing. We only a few months in but iv seen such and improvement I wish I'd done it sooner. Best of luck with your doggie :-)

whatanidiot

Thanks so much for all the replies I haven't been on all day so just saw them now @DBB I'd love to take him to a behaviorist if there was one close by. I'm in college in Waterford at the moment so if anyone knew of anyone that does it here I'd definitely give it a shot? @Tranceypoo Thanks so much for the link....Im totally the same. I get so embarrassed I just try to get him away from the situation as fast as I can. He gets a telling off and he's always so sad after wards. He'll literally stay in his bed for hours until I forgive him (which maybe I do too soon). It's very odd how his behavior is...I found a dog on my street a few weeks ago, it was absolutely lashing and late into the night as I had collected a housemate after a night out. He was so wet and miserable so I brought him in for the night. (Found his owner first thing thank god). My guy was the best ever with him, running around playing. I was so proud, only for him to return to himself on his walk the next day! I saw the other thread on here about the doggie thats aggressive to bishons....Mines the exact same but I know where he got it from. A neighbours dog would torment him at the side gate every morning, barking and growling. Almost like he was bragging that he was allowed run around the estate freely. Maybe this was when it started with the bad attitude. @Bannasidhe and cjf: Thanks for the replies, although I wish it wasn't the case for ye I feel a little better knowing I'm not the only one and hearing that ye are doing well with your little guys gives me hope :)