Aggression

[Jordan123]

Dear Forum Members,

I need some sound advise on this problem. My Cindy (Rottie in her terrible twos) shows signs of aggression. She is the sweetest rottie at home, but she gets unpredictable outside the apartment. I assume it is 'fear aggression'. I have two dogs walking them with two leashes (not connected) and with a halti. I just would like to describe instances for my worries: We walk and she tries to lunge at people/dogs. I try to get her under control and tell her immediatly to sit. And after a struggle she will do that. I don't go near people to avoid anything to happen. She is fine with people we know - she will run up to them and just give kisses. I don't know how to predict her 'lunging' anymore. I can't even say when or when she won't do it. It seems like certain people/neighbors she just can't stand. Of course - I can sometimes understand her reaction - the other day a child came with a bicycle from behind and surprised me and the dogs - and they both went wild. I told the boy to stay away and don't come up on strange dogs like that. The dogs are not familiar with bicycles. Or the other instance a whole bunch of children came up with bikes and swinging a football - she got scarred and then tried to scare the kids away. I don't say that her behaviour is ok. I know I need to do something about it. I just don't quite now how. Since I believe it has to do with fear - how do I boost her selfesteem? I tried Tug of War - but she will not play with me. She won't pull on anything with me - just wants to cuddle and give kisses. I train her at home and she does just great and I give her lots of praise for everytime she follows a command. On the other hand I need to correct her in her behaviour outside - I don't think the halti is capable of doing that. I can't use a choker because if she wants to go somewhere she pulls me behind - I don't have the strength to controll her with a choker. She will follow my commands in the house, when we walk she does what I want - but everything is forgotten when other dogs/people are around. We also went to the dog park - to further her socialization - she seemed to be overwhelmed by all the dogs/people. It took her a while to get used to the surroundings. She would walk up to every person and just give kisses and would at times not leave my side. She didn't walk around a lot and every dog that came around she would growl at and they would then get away from her. I know that dog parks are not the ideal place - I just thought it would help to socialize her a lot more - I see a need for socialization for her.

Please let me know what to do?

Thanks for your advise.

[WorkinDogz]

Jordan,

I'm not going to tell you to "put the dog on a prong collar". The problems you're encountering call for a prong yes; but more importantly...no...wait...MOST importantly call for YOU to accept that you need the help of a professional trainer.

Your home training is NOT transferring to the street.....and obedience is ALL THE TIME and ESPECIALLY when you NEED for them to be obedient.

You're attempts to socialize her now are not what this dog needs IMHO. Over-whelmed is a good word. Put a dog who is unsure already in a situation where they become overwhelmed and what you get is UNPREDICTABLE and potentially dangerous for the people and other animals around her. It's really important to take things slowly.

The very first step I would take is contacting a trainer who also specializes in behavior modification and behavioral problems.

Secondly......forget the idea that it's ok for you to walk both dogs (whether they're on a coupler or individual leashes) at the same time for awhile. The control is lacking both from the dogs and your ability to handle them when they BOTH lose control. (yes.....BOTH dogs have the need for a professional trainer.....they both are having "issues" that seem to be above your ability to correct.)

There is no shame in contacting a trainer. In fact...the shame is when a situation becomes out of control and the owner DOESN'T contact a trainer for help!

You'll be taught how to help your dogs...... Go for it :)

[rottie597]

Jordan,

I tried to send you a PM but your box is full:)

[Mick Trainer]

Originally posted by WorkinDogz
Jordan,

I'm not going to tell you to "put the dog on a prong collar". The problems you're encountering call for a prong yes; but more importantly...no...wait...MOST importantly call for YOU to accept that you need the help of a professional trainer.

Your home training is NOT transferring to the street.....and obedience is ALL THE TIME and ESPECIALLY when you NEED for them to be obedient.

You're attempts to socialize her now are not what this dog needs IMHO. Over-whelmed is a good word. Put a dog who is unsure already in a situation where they become overwhelmed and what you get is UNPREDICTABLE and potentially dangerous for the people and other animals around her. It's really important to take things slowly.

The very first step I would take is contacting a trainer who also specializes in behavior modification and behavioral problems.

Secondly......forget the idea that it's ok for you to walk both dogs (whether they're on a coupler or individual leashes) at the same time for awhile. The control is lacking both from the dogs and your ability to handle them when they BOTH lose control. (yes.....BOTH dogs have the need for a professional trainer.....they both are having "issues" that seem to be above your ability to correct.)

There is no shame in contacting a trainer. In fact...the shame is when a situation becomes out of control and the owner DOESN'T contact a trainer for help!

You'll be taught how to help your dogs...... Go for it :)

I agree with the entire above reply. I do not care what equipment really and think you can get the results with a Halti etc but you do need the help of a professional trainer who can truly help you gain true control. Without gaining control over this dog and systomatically reducing its fear through correct training, confidence lifting and an overall reconditioning the dog as too the correct response this problem will esculate further.

Mick.

[JGulley]

I'm not always the first person to jump on the "get a trainer" bandwagon- but in this case I agree. DO NOT TAKE THIS THE WRONG WAY- but I don't read any of the confidence that you need to have in your email. (Yeah I know that's a hard thing to convey.)

If you can find a trainer that can restore YOUR self confidence in your abilities to control/train your dog it would be the best thing you can do.

I say this because some of the "drop off" training that people do when they get frustrated really doesn't help much- (I would never drop my dog off to be trained.)- the dog needs to recognize that you are the boss and that some behavior is not acceptible and that YOU make the rules.

I would not be so quick to dismiss the Halti. They really do work wonders when used correctly.

Good luck.

[Jordan123]

I already looked a little while back to get into training classes. Unfortunatley the 'school' I picked is full until the middle of December. I contacted several 'private' trainers and also contacted rescue organisations to recommend me a good one. I picked one out and went to their evening classes just to see how they are. I was just wondering if I could get some kind of advise how to handle this until I can get in class. I preferred group classes to individual classes because of the 'aggression' problem, since she doesn't show that kind of behaviour in a 'single' person situation.

I hope you guys agree on me on that step to enroll her and then the second dog into group classes rather than individual classes. Or should I just do individual classes for both - but then the problem I have really doesn't show. My second dog is fully trained (individual and group classes) and I don't have a problem with him at all.

Thanks for your advise and please let me know what I can do until I go to 'school' with her.

[Jordan123]

Rottie 597

Please PM me - I emptied my mailbox - would love to hear from you neighbor!!!

[WorkinDogz]

If the dog is unable to handle a group class...becomes overwhelmed and generally does nothing but make the other dogs in the class miserable; and is learning nothing in the process...then No. I don't agree with your desire to be in group lessons.

The dog has issues. The dog will decide what she can and can't handle and how much of it.

The whole idea behind obedience courses is for you to learn how to train your dog. If the dog is constantly lunging and/or being unruley.....it's impossible for YOU to get the most out of the class; therefore; the dog won't either.

You have to walk before you can run.....the dog will be the deciding factor of how fast the trip will move.

In the meantime...walk the dogs separately, keep them out of situations where they have, in the past, shown an inability to conduct themselves properly and talk to the Instructor of the course. Be honest and tell him/her the problems that you're having.

A couple of weeks isn't going to make a huge difference. The behaviors are already there....they aren't just "suddenly" appearing.

[Jordan123]

So you guys think I should have her in individual class first and then go to group classes?

I truly care about my dogs and don't want anything bad happen to them.

the thing is that she is at times unpredictable - one day everything is just great - the next day she could jump. It also seems to be that certain people/neighbors just tick her off. When we went to the dog park she cuddled with everybody. But one of my neighbors she just goes nuts over.

Bottom line - I guess - In individual class and continuing with group classes. Does that sound like a good idea?

[WorkinDogz]

Why not allow the Instructor to evaluate the dog and make a suggestion based on the evaluation OF the dog.

The person doing the evaluating is in a much better position to make suggestions of how things should be handled that will best benefit the dog.

As far as the neighbors go....it's really not up to the dog to do the deciding of who they "like" and who they don't. They don't have to LIKE anyone....but they certainly should not be given the ability to act upon their notions.