| Back again. I'm not going to go over details on same species aggression as we have done quite a few threads on that, but I would like to comment on a few things.
If it were his hormones kicking in, he would be wanting to meet the bitches to make love, - not war. As I said earlier, a dog that attacks bitches, whether known or not, has something awry in his thinking. You might be very alpha at home, but if you have not stopped his bullying of his housemate, he can be seeing that as permission, so on the homefront, you need to stop that behavior. Alpha away from home? Not perhaps as much as you might think or he would not have repeated something you corrected and certainly not so quickly following the first episode. Usually opposite sex interaction is peaceful and complimentary. Within the home, the bitches tell the dog what to do even if they are somewhat soft bitches, and the dogs cheerfully comply. This is mother nature's device so that when mating time comes around, the bitches will welcome the dogs.
Dog school. KPT is designed to have a certain amount of socialization. As an instructor, anything beyond KPT is for training in obedience and especially in a class, we need to keep to the subject at hand. Do not blame the class for not continuing baby stuff for your dog's lack of canine manners. I do not want my class dogs interacting or frolicing with one another prior to class because it carries over to the dogs focusing on one another rather than their handler. This is particularly true in the lower level classes where the dog does not yet have enough training to change its focus from play to work. I also don't want it done on my clock as we have much to do. Sometimes students whose dogs are congenial with one another will decide to spend a bit of time after class or to make dates to let their dogs play another day. That's fine as it is their own time and does not take away from the training.
What to do?
Number 1, forbid him to behave in a bullying manner towards his housemate. Although the poor little thing might accept it (what other choice does she have?) that encourages his misbehavior and makes him think it is OK as far as you are concerned. Make sure you message to him is clear and firm.
Number 2, use the standard techniques for interupting any "thoughts" he might have about interjecting himself in another dog's space. Again, make sure he understands that minding his own business is not optional. It doesn't matter what the other dogs are doing or not doing.
Sorry you have to deal with this, but it is something that can be done and with clear messages from you shouldn't be too difficult. Dog aggression is certainly easier to deal with than people aggression.  |