"fence" aggression

[cuppacoffee]

Hello all,
Now that the weather has been warm (excepting the snow showers last night) I've been spending a lot of time outdoors doing yardwork and gardening. When I'm working in the garden, I've been tying coffee to a tree on a 20 ft lead (we have no fence) I don't leave him for more than a couple of seconds (eg run inside to get some seeds, run around to the side of the house to get the hose) so he's not alone. Based on what I've read here, he's showing all the signs of fence aggression. When somebody walks by the house, (including people he knows) he just goes nuts, growling, barking pulling at the lead. I've tried yelling, physical corrections, showering him with the hose, but the only thing that works is if I walk over to him and put him in a down and then pet him As long as I'm touching him, he's fine.

I read a thread from last year that recommended throwing a plastic bottle with gravel in it at him. Will that work in this situation? If not, what can I do? I'd rather not leave him inside all day while I'm working outside or reading on the deck, but I can't have him charging at the kids walking by (they're way out of his reach, but it terrifies them, and rightly so) We live in a neighborhood with a lot of kids and on any given warm day there's a group playing basketball down the street, soccer across the street, on the playground at the end of the block and kids riding bikes between activities constantly. Help please.
Thanks,
Kate

[RottiMomCT]

If there is no fence between him and what he wants, it is not fence aggression, it sounds like it is frustration at not being loose to go greet who he knows and showing he's a big bad dog and "you people walking by the house better just keep moving".

Physical contact to get him to stop acting up is rewarding him for being a butthead - get him to stop acting up and THEN pet him. Walk up to him with a no nonsense posture, give him a stern "KNOCK IT OFF" and then walk away. If he continues, do it again. As soon as he stops acting up, praise him.

If he continues to act up, remove him from the situation - if he can't control himself and won't be bothered to listen, he loses the privelege (at least for the time being) of being allowed to enjoy the nice weather with you.

[Judi W]

Instead of gardening, you'll need to dedicate a number of outside sessions completely to dog training. Take him out and put him on his teather. Then have a long leash or line attached to his training collar. (I'm assuming you teather him on a buckle collar fastened tightly - if not you should) Then go some distance where you still have the long line in your hand, but watch carefully. The very second someone appears, correct him - do not wait until he is barking. Correct the second you see his ears prick, or him leaning forward to stand up, before he gets emotional. Make it a good forceful correction and tell him in a very strong voice "don't even think about it". You must continue to do this until you see the beginning of the thoughts extinguished. I would not praise him. Praising a dog for "not" doing something does't really connect the dots properly.

After a good session, put him back inside. Continue this work until you see him lying down comfortably whether people are going past or not. When you start seeing this, then you can softly (but no big deal) tell him good dog. Until he reaches this stage, do not teather him out unless it is a training session. It might take only two sessions, it might take 10, but it will be the consistency of the corrections for the thought that will turn this around.

[cuppacoffee]

See when you guys suggest stuff, it just sounds like common sense and DOH! Why didn't I think of that?? Of course I shouldn't be petting him when he gets aggressive, DUH! Of course I should keep his training collar on and correct him when he does it, DUH! I really appreciate you guys taking the time to explain the basics to me. We're gonna go out this weekend (please be warm, please be warm) and work specifically on these issues. To me, this is really important. I don't want to be the lady with the crazy dog that everyone's scared of.

Just one last, I'm sure kind of stupid question.. There have been a few nights when we're sitting on the front porch and I'm in my chair reading and petting him. We don't have any problems then.. should I discontinue that until I'm able to control his behavior? (he's tethered then, too)

Thanks again,
Kate

[SonnyRott]

If he is on the front porch behaving himself with you, I would continue to allow him to be there. And if you see him start to react, you have the perfect opportunity to correct the behavior.

Since you have alot of kids and ball games going on, I would also make it a habit to walk the dog during some of these times. Stop to say hello and allow the dog to see that kids and playing is normal in his world. He may even get a few scritches along the way!

When I garden, I leash the dog and allow him to lay or sniff near me. Bring something for him to chew or play with so he is not digging in your dirt.

It sounds like your dog is frustrated and gets his way when you walk back to him each time he behaves this way. Happy training!

[Judi W]

Personally, I am not a fan of gratuitous petting for dogs. I think it is better if that is reserved for cats who are not likely to drag you down the road after being elevated for no reason other than their presence. Dog is very responsive to you? Then OK, Dog blows you off (keeps barking when you have told him not to)? Then rethink all this admiration given just because he is within reach.