Dealing with Dog Aggression

[Amber W]

Hi everyone. My dog, Cassie, does not like other dogs. If they come into my yard she will lunge and growl at them. Everyone in my neighborhood thinks their dogs should be able to run everywhere . I do not like them in my yard, but do not want to cause problems with the neighbors if one of their dogs gets hurt. I am also concerned about being able to take her to training classes because of the other dogs there. I have read that giving the dog a special, high-value treat every time they see another dog is supposed to recondition them. (i.e. they see another dog and something good happens.) I have also read that you should not use treats because it may cause more problems. I have been doing the treating because it is the only solution I have right now. It seems to work okay. What do you guys think of this method. Also those of you who have had problems with dog aggresion what did you use for methods of dealing with it? Any replies appreciated. :)

Amber

[kaylynn143]

Amber,

I feel your frustration. I have a dog aggresive dog also. If I can get her into a sit/stay or down/stay we do okay. She will whine and cry like the world has come to and end, but it is better than trying to go after every dog that comes into 'her' territory.

She has always been a pushy dog, but she has been getting more and more dog aggressive as time goes on. My friends think she is trained since she passed her CGC and TDI, but we have a LONGGGGG way to go!

I haven't been giving her treats since I am unsure of how that looks from her side of the leash. I am however, super alert when I have her outside or at a training class. We are also doing the NILIF bootcamp, but that is slow going on my part.

I am strugling just as you are, so I don't feel qualified to do anything, but relay what I have done and let you know that you definately are not alone.

[pbach]

Amber - Not an expert in this area, but I would suggest that you do a search on Dog Aggression in this forum. I'm sure there have been numerous threads started about Dog Aggression; this is a widely discussed issue/concern.

Being a responsible dog owner also means training your dog. Do not forgo the dog training class because you think your dog will not tolerate other dogs well. Talk to the trainer, but make sure that you get your dog into training that is one of the most responsible things a pet owner can do.

Also, as far as the treating issue is concerned - try the NILIF program. Do a search on that in this forum as well.

In our training class, when Nikki seems to be paying attention to the other dogs and not me, then I will enforce the watch-me command. She knows that when she watches me she might get a treat.:)

I would also suggest that you talk to your neighbors and let them know that you would appreciate it, if they would keep their dogs off your lawn.

Good luck

Patty

[Rott-Wiley]

Using treats as a distraction seems to work for me but it does seem like I have to keep a special treat for this situation cause just her usual cheese isn't distraction enough, I have to reach for the beef jerky to get her attention around other dogs. I can't say that I have seen this cause any other problems. I should mention that the first thing I do is tell her "NO" in a very firm voice as I'm reaching for the treat and also try to take her off in the other direction to further take her mind off the other dog.

[Amber W]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Cassie is currently on NILIF. However, she still does not really look to me as a leader. It is very hard to get her attention when she sees another dog. Getting her to sit at this point would be impossible. I do not intend to forego training classes, however, I would like her to be able to tolerate other dogs, so we do not get kicked out of classes. As far as keeping other dogs off my lawn, I know that at least one neighbor will never do that. This dog goes where ever he wants to and sleeps in the middle of the road. His owners do nothing more than feed him; he is basically a stray.

Amber

[pbach]

Originally posted by Amber W
As far as keeping other dogs off my lawn, I know that at least one neighbor will never do that. This dog goes where ever he wants to and sleeps in the middle of the road. His owners do nothing more than feed him; he is basically a stray.

Amber

Amber - Do you have a leash law in your State? Before you start a training class make sure and discuss your issues with the training instructor, I'm sure they will be able to give you some good direction and help your dog with it's socialization skills.

Patty

[Wrath]

Make sure your dog is clear on getting a reward for NOT being aggressive toward other dogs rather than the opposite.

[Carina43]

Hi Amber, both my males have issues with other dogs. Taking them to classes is the best way I've found to get them conditioned to be around other dogs and act polite.

Especially Cooper. He was a lunging, roaring idiot when his hormones hit at 10 months (prior to that he'd been sweet, and extremely well socialised, he came to work with me most of the time to all different situations.) PLUS he'd been in puppy K & all the beginning obedience classes! Anyhow, lots of classes and obedience training. Find a good, positive, class with an experienced trainer. I've seen quite a few dogs come in to where I go acting horrible at first, and gradually get much better.

But, I think you also have a problem with neighbors who let their dogs run around the neighborhood getting into other people's yards! Anything you can do to change that situation - and keep your dog safe, would be the best starting point.

[Beckysmom]

Hi,
How old is Cassie? And in or out when the other dogs come around? And has she got a safe fenced area?

I too suggest checking leash laws and if the other dogs are violating the laws, call the appropriate authorities. also perhaps a complaint in writing to the owner of the dog(s), so that you have that in case Cassie ever has a run in with such a dog. Else being a rottie, she will tend to be the dog blamed even if other dog was in her yard.

Some trainers are far better at dealing with dogs with dog aggression issues than others, I suggest looking for such a trainer.

Training is really important. If she cannot be in a group class yet, get her some private lessons. Else you will have a permanent catch 22 of can't train because probs with other dogs, can't solve probs with other dogs becuase can't train.

I think wrath's point about making sure she doesn't think she is being rewarded for aggression is important.

And try not to let her practice her aggression unchecked. She needs to know that it is not okay with you.

[Amber W]

The treats are not to reward her, but rather to distract and recondition her. It gives her something else to concentrate on besides the dog. I try to distract her whenever possible before any aggressive behavior. I do have a leash law in my county, and have thought about calling on this dog, however if his owners did not come pick him he would probably be put to sleep. There really isn't an animal shelter in my county and they don't bring the animals to other counties. Carina43, your reply makes me feel better about taking classes, which is something I really want to do with her. Thanks everyone.

Amber

[kathleen]

Hi Amber Just wanted to let you know you are not alone with this issue. I have an 18 month old neutered male Rottie with the same issues. I'm by no means an expert, Luther is my first Rottie so I'm still learning a lot myself. I have kept Luther in classes all the time and off and on I'll do two classes at a time for the extra contact. I've had to be super alert as well and learn to read Luthers body language- he becomes very still and focused and his ears move forward just before he reacts- so I try to stay ahead of the game and tell him leave it and draw his attention to me by asking for a look or a down- something to redirect him. I've learned to keep him working. I take my boyfriend to classes because sometimes I can't focus as much on the instructor as I would like to and he will catch what I was'nt able to. When I did'nt know the instructer of a class I contacted her, told her my situation and asked for a private lesson for the first time so she could meet and get to know us before a group lesson when she was comfortable with that. I can tell you it helped me tremendously to find this forum and be able to share with those who understood. I've had several instructers tell me that I have to work twice as hard as a lot of the others in classes because of this issue but they say you'll be a better trainer for and your next dog will be easier. Another thing I do with Luther is take him to as many event as possible with other dogs, but arrange to have the space he needs and make the experience as positive as possible. Hang in there and good luck. Keep us posted.

[HOLYTERROR]

My dog and I have never gotten past the aggression issue although through a few years of private training it has made the issue much easier to deal with.

I don't know what I would have done if it hadn't been for all the obedience training we did. I'm a big advocate of training, training and more training. For the record.... I think I needed the training more than Casey did.

Kimberly

[Beckysmom]

Amber, I understand that the intent of the treats is not to reward aggression. The problem is that they might have that effect, even if it is not what you intend. Sort of like stopping a child from having a tantrum in supermarket by giving it a piece of candy. It learns that tantrum => candy. Treats are more likely to help with overcoming a fear situation, than in getting rid of an obnoxious behaviour, I have found.

I think you might be better off trying to train alternate inconsistent behaviours--like "quiet" "Leave it" "settle" etc. But even then can get in trouble with treats if you end up with having trained a chain that begins with aggression => "leave it" => to dog does leave it => treat reward. I would personally tell the dog very firmly in a deep no nonsense voice that you do not like it when the dog does x. That may not be enough.

See threads on "serious corrections" and similar that have been posted recently.

classes will do you both good. When you find a possible class, I might suggest that you post about it on training board--how it is run, philosophy,etc. and you may get good feedback about if it sounds like a good one. I wish I had done this myself at one point.

Keep us posted!

[clastala]

My 13 month old female Roxie is also dog agressive or seems to be ( I have never tested this, she has never been in contact with a dog she has issues with). For some reason some dogs are A OK, such as her friend the brown lab and others are not.

I had been making progress in class and then came the dreaded TPLO surgery. We are now 18 weeks post TPLO and it is like starting over.

I have been walking her and she has been fine and I thought "WOW" she is maturing and then.... it happened again, so discouraging. Just when I think I have made great progress she sees a dog that sets her off. For some reason this is black lab type dogs and let me tell you those are very common.

I have her wear a pinch color and have it tight right behind the ears and she does not even feel it when she is in that state. My arm is sore today from correcting her. I had to do it so hard and said several harsh no's. She is the toughest dog I have ever had.

She has such a high prey drive in fact, all her drives are high. I have had a female Rottweiler before and this one is like her but everything is exagerated. She is just more dog. It keeps me on my toes. She comes from a line of working dogs and show dogs so maybe they are just more dog. She is absolutely beautiful and I am very taken with her and she with me. I have never felt this way about a dog before.

I have to get her back in class ASAP! It is always such a big job tho. I cannot go and relax like others. When class is over I am a sweaty mess. I cannot take my eyes off of her for a second.

She is the sweetest, smartest, most wonderful dog I have ever owned at home and on walks until...

She is very tuned into me since she had to rely on me or my husband for every move she made after the surgery, every morsel, every move. Now I can take of the leash (in our fenced yard) and she stays right by me and heals. She was getting very honery with her leash and trying to bite onto it and lead me where she wants to go. I took it off (in the yard) and she is a different dog. Go figure.

I am not going to give up but I think I will find another way to exercise her until I get her more under control so this does not become a habit.

Good luck to all of you! Carol

[Judi W]

Although some classes prohibit aggressive dogs, many do not providing that you can control the dog. That means that you have physical control and that the dog does not drag you towards the other dogs, that you have enough sense to keep a distance so that your dog is not interferring with the other dogs' training. If you cannot do those things, then you really cannot and should not attend group classes as it is unfair to the other class participants.

So, start by asserting authority with your dog, praising it when appropriate and correcting when called for but mainly making sure that you have some control. If you are not in a position to do private lessons, roll up your sleeves and take control until you are confident that you can manage the dog around other dogs. Then your instructor will be able to coach you as to how to and when to praise, treat, correct get response to your commands, etc.

You are not going to turn your dog into a social butterfly but it can certainly learn to behave and quit acting like a jerk everytime another dog shows up on the horizon.

I would be more concerned about my dog than about whether the neighbors like to let their dogs run at large or not. I'm assuming that your yard is fenced and that the at large dogs are not actually entering your yard where your dog is. I hope that is the case.