Generally gentle male Rottie displaying dog aggressive behavior

[Xena & Bosley's Mom]

I have always received great advice from the Rottie.net forums, so I hope you'll come through for me again. I have an almost-3-yr. old neutered male Rottie. We rescued him at age 1 from Rottie Rescue, and he's been a wonderful member of the family. We took him to "puppy" training group classes, which he completed successfully. Then, because we feel so strongly that this breed of dog should be on its best behavior given the rotten stereotypes that exist, we also enrolled him in private advanced lessons. He was always very friendly with other dogs -- regardless of breed, gender, size.

However, about 3-4 mos. ago, he started exhibiting aggressive behavior toward other dogs. He's fine with people, kids, strangers, etc. At first we just noticed it with little dogs and chalked it up to a developing prey drive. We treated with disciplinary pops of his collar and extreme vigilance when passing near smaller breeds. Unfortunately, now it seems to be happening with any sized dog. Our dog, who listens so well (part. when he's on the prong collar), becomes a lunatic: pulling on the leash (he hyperextended my finger, requiring an ER visit), barking, crying, lunging. FYI, he's not baring teeth or snarling.

What in the heck is going on here?:( Why is he developing this behavior NOW?

I don't want to take him around other dogs now. It's a shame, because he's such a sweet and mushy boy. But I just don't trust him.

Any help? Suggestions? Ideas? Insights?

[Soapie&Buddy'sMom]

Sorry, I don't have an answer for you. Just putting it back up towards the top in case someone else might be able to help.

[kala]

Have you tried to desensitive him to other dogs? Lets see if I can explain this good enough. Take him out where you know there will be other dogs. Keep him far away from them and when he first sees them give him a treat while he is being good. Don't let him get out of his comfort zone. Just give him treats as long as the other dog is in sight and he is behaving. Try to work his comfort zone closer to the other dogs. When he starts acting up move back. As long as he is being good and the other dog is in sight, treat. If there is no dog in sight, no treat. Let him get used to getting treats if there is a dog in the area. Using this method he should get the idea that good things happen when there is another dog in sight.
good luck
sue

[Xena & Bosley's Mom]

Thanks, Kala, for the feedback.:)

I'll give that a whirl. There are certainly plenty of dogs in the neighborhood!

[kala]

It might help if you had a friend with a dog that would work with you. That way you can set up the situations. Then you could judge the distance better. And make sure the treats you use are VERY special treats. That way the dogs in eye sight mean really good stuff.
hope it works for you
sue

[Judi W]

What I suspect has happened is that you removed him from group activities just as he was entering adolescence so he went through that critical period without learning how to behave around other dogs as a young adult. He now sees them as foreign, and feeling his strength as a young adult, is behaving very badly. The answer is to get back in training. If he is that uncontrollable, you will need to start with private lessons, but then I would suggest that after you get him to where is responds to you and your instructions regardless of temptations, you get into group classes again. It is a mistake to discontinue socialization training until a dog is completely into adulthood and much more work on your part, but he can learn to behave like a gentleman.