Attacking other dogs

kalihar

Hello,

I have a 1 and 1/2 year old black lab cross. He is a very gentle and loving dog. His life's ambition is to get his belly rubbed as much as possible. However lately he is starting to be aggressive towards other dogs. At first I thought this was just while on the lead but now it is off the lead as well. He is well socialised. I walk with friends and their dogs, he has done group training and always got on well.

What could be the reason for the change? Would getting him neutered help? I walk him with my young kids so I really want to put a stop to this behaviour before anyone gets hurt.

Thank you.

kylith

kalihar wrote: »

Hello,

I have a 1 and 1/2 year old black lab cross. He is a very gentle and loving dog. His life's ambition is to get his belly rubbed as much as possible. However lately he is starting to be aggressive towards other dogs. At first I thought this was just while on the lead but now it is off the lead as well. He is well socialised. I walk with friends and their dogs, he has done group training and always got on well.

What could be the reason for the change? Would getting him neutered help? I walk him with my young kids so I really want to put a stop to this behaviour before anyone gets hurt.

Thank you.

Getting him neutered certainly could help as he will feel less reason to be agressive to other male dogs, it also has the benefits of lessening his urge to roam, safeguarding against some cancers, and means he won't be distracted by all those hot girls he can smell. It's not a guaranteed cure though and he will probably need more positive association training, especially if the aggression has become habit.

I've seen trainers recommend distracting your dog with treats when passing another dog. This way your dog comes to associate strange dogs
with tasty treats and begins to look forward to seeing them.

As always; when in doubt contact a professional.

kalihar

thanks for that advice. It looks like we're off to the vet!

belongtojazz

My guy went through a phase where he was not very dog friendly. It took me a while to figure out why but eventually I realised he was trying to protect me and our little dog.

I had to spend time retraining him to understand that it was my job to do the protecting not his. I did this by finding some helpful people in the park and introducing the dogs carefully. I also made a point of petting the other dog and giving them both treats and love.

It took time but now he is absoluely fine with 99% of dogs. The other 1% he barks at and then runs away to hide behind me :rolleyes:

cyrusdvirus

My fella was the same when i picked him up from the pound OP, if another dog came within sight of him he'd be barking snarling and straining at the lead to get at the other dog.

One vets visit later and he had calmed down a good bit, then did a LOT of training one on one with my trainer (and her 2 dogs, a gorgeous rottie and a collie/springer mix) and also group sessions.

Now the only problem i have is that every other dog is a potential playmate and i STILL have lead strain!! I prefer this version though

I also got a new pup just before christmas and the 2 of them are getting on great. Here she is 'supervising' him digging at the weekend....

kalihar

Ahh that photo is so sweet. I think I will go for both options. Get him neutered and then go for some positive association. I do think he is being protective of us but I'm the boss not him- I say the same thing to my huband

Thanks everyone

belongtojazz

Sounds like a good plan

Best of luck