Dog aggression

[jasper's_mommy]

I just wanted to share this. I was walking Heidi at the park yesterday. There was a lady with beautiful German Shephard. When her dog saw Heidi she went crazy (the dog) barking and growling and pulling at the leash. Heidi has become a bit more dog aggressive lately, and this is something I am trying to work on with her. So when this dog started up, Heidi started with the pulling and barking, too. I popped her leash and said "Heidi, NO", in my most stern voice. She immediately stopped and looked at me. I then said "good girl." She was so impressed with herself she started jumping up and down all excited, completely forgetting about the other dog. Meanwhile, the other lady is wrestling with her GSD who is still going crazy. We just went about way... me walking and Heidi bouncing. It was so funny, and so cute.

[Patty1231]

Good job to both of you! I'd say 3/4 of the dogs we pass act the way that GSD did. I've just gotten to the point of considering it as a good training tool Funny, it's the little dogs that are the worst. I wish I had a dime for every time an owner has said to their barking little mutt "that dog'll tear your head off". I just laugh to myself.

[jasper's_mommy]

I think that's why Heid has such a problem with smaller dogs is because they are always yelling at her! lol This happened not to long ago at a fair; lots of other dogs around but for some reason a little chi decided she did NOT like Heidi and just started barking her head off. Everyone who was standing around just started cracking up.

[Judi W]

That shows that your bitch cares what you think when you let her know how you feel about things.

congratulations

[jasper's_mommy]

Originally Posted by Judi W

That shows that your bitch cares what you think when you let her know how you feel about things.

congratulations

Thank you, Judi. Yes, I do think she really cares, and is really trying hard to be good. This makes me very, very happy.

[Storm]

One has to be so careful, just one incident where a dog may fly into your dog and your dog will then adopt a mindset of if I don't act first then I will be at a disadvantage.

[Brooke&Ryan]

Congrats on Heidi's awesome behavior. Big thumbs up!

[Laura]

Way to go, I had to work on that one too.

[RottieGirl86]

Congrats! Sounds like you two are doing great! :)

[jasper's_mommy]

Thanks so much, y'all. And you know what? I was applying what I have learned here. There is no way Heidi and I would be where we are if I hadn't happened upon this website. I would be lost, still trying to apply the "old" rules of dog rearing to my special girl. And for that I am grateful.

[lcarothers]

Impressive! Thats an event that will keep you smiling for days!

[Katie's-Mom]

Hello! I'm new to this website (and don't know the first thing about "quick replying" vs. "replying with "quotes" vs. "post replying", etc.!, so please forgive me!) Anyway, I was reading about your Rottie girl and how she reacted so well with that gsd! How impressive! I've adopted an older Rottie female (@6-7 yrs old) from a rescue group about 1 1/2 yrs ago. I absolutely adore her! I knew nothing about this breed. It was her personality that won me over. Her only two vices seem to be: (i) wanting to lunge at cars as they drive by - a real problem since we don't have sidewalks on my street; and (ii) other dogs (hmmmm...). When she sees another dog, she will pull and wine and make gestures like she wants to meet them, but then when the other dog approaches and they start that "sniffing ritual", she will "snap" and want to attack! was wondering about what you've learned from this website to teach your dog such good manners around other dogs. Did she ever have issues with other dogs? Looking for any kind of help. Thank you!

[jasper's_mommy]

Katie's Mom,

Hi, and welcome! You have certainly come to the right place to learn about your girl. First and foremost, get her into a training class immediately. This will allow you to bond, and also help in establishing a clear line of communication between you and your dog. Heidi is my first rottie. I never gave formal training a second thought with my other dogs and never had any problems. I just don't think it is an option with this breed. They need a strong leader. Do you know the history of this dog?

If I were you, I would do a search on "training", "aggression", and the like. There is a lot of valuable information to be found on this site. I do think you'll find the very first step is ALWAYS training.

[Luvs]

Originally Posted by jasper's_mommy

Thanks so much, y'all. And you know what? I was applying what I have learned here. There is no way Heidi and I would be where we are if I hadn't happened upon this website. I would be lost, still trying to apply the "old" rules of dog rearing to my special girl. And for that I am grateful.

You two are doing well because you not only learned a great deal here, YOU went home and applied what you learned! Good for you!

Originally Posted by Katie's-Mom

Hello! I'm new to this website (and don't know the first thing about "quick replying" vs. "replying with "quotes" vs. "post replying", etc.!, so please forgive me!) Anyway, I was reading about your Rottie girl and how she reacted so well with that gsd! How impressive! I've adopted an older Rottie female (@6-7 yrs old) from a rescue group about 1 1/2 yrs ago. I absolutely adore her! I knew nothing about this breed. It was her personality that won me over. Her only two vices seem to be: (i) wanting to lunge at cars as they drive by - a real problem since we don't have sidewalks on my street; and (ii) other dogs (hmmmm...). When she sees another dog, she will pull and wine and make gestures like she wants to meet them, but then when the other dog approaches and they start that "sniffing ritual", she will "snap" and want to attack! was wondering about what you've learned from this website to teach your dog such good manners around other dogs. Did she ever have issues with other dogs? Looking for any kind of help. Thank you!

Katie's mom, welcome to the forum. We are happy to have you join us. Stick around and I am sure you will learn a great deal!

Do you have your girl in obedience classes? That is a good place to start with your girl no matter what her age is. If this was my girl I would stop letting her interact with other dogs if she is consistantly exhibiting this behavior. My first Rottie bitch was VERY dog aggressive. I had to constantly watch her around other dogs her entire life. Thru some serious obedience training she was controllable, altho never totally trustworthy. Some dogs just don't play well with others.

[Katie's-Mom]

Thanx for the replys! Yes, I have spent $$$ on a behaviorist and lessons for Katie. The behaviorist claimed she had no dog agression (but he never had her and another dog interact without a chain-linked fence between them)! I "started" her a few times with lessons, but for one reason or another, we never finished the course. She acted agressive towards most of the dogs in the class (regardless of size), but after one class, during "meet-n-great", a 6 mo. male beagle came flying over to her (she was still on leash), and Katie actually laid down and played very gently with the puppy! Does this maybe mean that she is "dog-assertive" rather than "dog-agressive"??