2 yr old aggresive towards other dogs

[Gabbysmommy]

Hi I am new at this so hopefully someone can help me understand my beautiful Gabby a little better. I just got Gabby a week and a half ago. We are currently fostering her so we can make sure she is a match with our family. I am hoping VERY MUCH that we can get Gabby to relax around other dogs. She is a great addition to our family and we all love her to death, but when we are out for walks and she sees another dog she goes WILD...I MEAN WILD!!! She has pulled me the other day thankfully my finace' was there to get ahold of her and settle her down. I love to walk with Gabby and unfortunately I have opted to do it later at night when there is less chance of a dog being out. Unfortunately this also is altering with the schedule that we were adjusting to. I have been told by so many people that I should use a pinch collar to get her behave while on walks and not try to go after another dog? I am just not sure that they aren't cruel and that they don't hurt her!! As I don't want to do that to her!! I just want to be able to take her for walks without her taking off when she sees another dog and she looks so aggressive when she does that and she is so loving and gentle.

Rotties already have enough negative things said about them unfairly!! I just want everyone to see they aren't bad dogs. Your dog is what you make of him or her!! If someone could please give me some advice that would be greatly appreciated!! I want to take her to an obiedience class, but I am trying to let her adjust to our house first and I dont want to not be able to go walking with her everynight. PLEASE HELP!!!!

[brunie's mom]

Sounds like she is poorly socialized...and she may never like other dogs.
Taking her to obedience classes will teach her to ignore other dogs and not try to go after them. It will also help socialize her...so that she may not go so crazy when she sees a dog.

Do you know any history of this dog? Was she living in a backyard all of her life?
Often if they have missed meeting other dogs when young, and interacting with them...it can be an uphill job.

I would be getting some professional help. They will have suggestions on what kind of collar she needs...maybe a Halti or Gentle Leader for now? The prong is good...but you must learn how to fit it, and use it and also it may make her more aggressive if she thinks the pinch is happening because of the other dogs.

Gina

[AngelBunny]

You said you're fostering her so "we can make sure she is a match with our family." Is Gabby a shelter dog and you're fostering her for the shelter?

Despite what you may think, prongs aren't cruel. They're far better for some dogs than metal choke collars which can damage the dog's trachea.

The sooner you sign Gabby and yourself up for obed class, the better. She's been in your home a week and a half. That's enough time for her to get the lay of the land.

[SWEETBREW]

I would definitely take her to obedience class, a trainer may be able to help you without using a special collar. Having said that a prong collar can be agreat way to manage poor leash manners until you can get help in training her. I would not use a choke chain. Get some advice on how to use the prong collar first so that you are using it correctly. I'm sure if you contacted a trainer they may instruct you how to use one in the meantime before taking a class.
Good luck with her, and I hope that she fits in to your family.

[EmmysMom]

Emmy is also dog aggressive but we have had her in training since she was 4mos old and she has finally learned that she needs to listen to us and to tolerate another dog in her presence! We did use the prong and it was a great tool but we used under the guidance of our obed instructor. I can't stress enough how useful the classes have been!!! Last week she actually initiated play w/a male gs that has been in our classes for a couple of years now!! It was wonderful and everyone was shocked because they have all watched her "grow" and knew how difficult she was in the beginning.

So, bottom line, training, training and more training!!

[CanineCoach]

Yes, you definitely need to get her into classes. However, I would have a professional trainer come to your home first and evaluate Gabby. Prong collars, when used properly are much more humane that choke chain collars! If you are using a leather strap collar you probably don't have a chance as when she decides to go after something all you are doing is activating the opposition reflex by trying to stop her. That leather collar is on the strongest part of her neck and she will win that battle every time! Believe me, I've been pulled down by the best (or worst?) of them!! But I finally learned my lesson (takes me a lot longer than it takes them) and figured out that in the strength dept. I was never going to end up on top -- I'm 5', 95 lbs -- my Molly is shorter than me (on all fours!) but weighs about the same, but is four times stronger! These dogs just don't respond well to compulsion, IMO.

I agree with EmmysMom -- training, training and more training!

[Gabbysmommy]

I want to thank ALL of you for your help!! Yes Gabby is from a shelter and all we know is that she was a stray and noone claimed her! =( how sad is that she is a beautiful little girl and she is great with my daughters I have no doubt in my mind that she is going to stay with us I will do whatever I have to to make sure she stays a part of our family she is such a GREAT dog!! I don't know what her upbringing was, but I can only guess that it wasnt good as she "ran away" we give her unconditional love just like with our kids and I only hope for the best with Gabby!! =) I will definately be getiing her into classes!! Thanks again for all of your help =)