serious "aggression"help needed - Page 1

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     My 7 1/2 month old male "Duke", has recently developed a "Bad Attitude". He has become very aggressive to the other dogs that live with us. This cannot be tolerated. He means business with my yorkies. Seldom does he "boss" my female shepherd that is one month older than him.

     He does not have issue with my other shepherds. He seems to know his place with them.

     My life does not call for seperate "living arrangements" between us. We live in a situation where "all dogs" are created equal. All dogs have their own crates, where they go when I go out (which is not very often), or when they choose to go there. I will not, or can not have seperate times to socialize. Everyone must live in harmony with each other. I cannot see taking shifts on "who can be out and about". I do not want anyone to "have to be " in their crate.

     There must be a way to stop the aggression without causing, "imprisonment". I do not hit "Duke", I tell him "No", when he does this (he pins them down and growls as if he means it). I cannot lose a little dog to this behavior, but I also cannot allow this to go on ,  someone having to be locked up at all times.

     Tonite, I rolled up a newspaper and wrapped the ends with Duct tape, and "wacked him". I did it several times. He seemed to be highly insulted, and slowed down his attitude. He went to his crate on his own,.                                                   

      I don't want this to be the route I have to take.    I "yoked him" a couple times with the choker, which had no effect.

     Beleive me, I do not hurt him,(I love this dog), I don't want to use FORCE on him, I don't want to use scare tactics, I don't want him scared of a situation. I want him to "learn" to behave!

     Does anyone have any suggestions as to a "Best Way" to curb aggression???Away from home he is the perfect "gentleman". I think he really beleives that "I am his person, and not ,that he is my dog"          HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would try a shock collar in this situation. I do not like using one in general but have found a e collar to be very effective in these situations.

I understand your problem very well.   I have one bitch who is hard on everyone, alpha to the max. I'm still dealing with it.

If you must strike your dog do so in a controlled manner. 

Have hold of him by the collar and only strike his chest, do not let him go right away, hold him and explain what he's doing wrong, dont let him run and cower in a crate.

Dont beat him, one strike should do and you have to catch him at the moment he's doing wrong, then calm him and yourself and communicate, then give him think time alone. 

This would not be my first choice personally, and you may end up with a dog in your face. I know nothing about your dog. 

I would prefer the choker and a leash, raise him from the ground till he's sure your in control, again explain to him what he's doing wrong. always communicate with the dog.

Hold him till you and he both calm,  then let him go to the crate and give him time alone to think thru what just happened. Again you must catch him immediately in the act.

I had a dog once who could not or would not behave and she was no longer allowed unsupervised freedom for a very long time.   She had a thing for killing livestock.  I almost put her down over it.

Another option might be a shock collar but I wouldnt  advise it. You can easily ruin a dog with it if not done right.

I would think someone will come along with a better method of correcting your problem than I have suggested.

But one things for sure, you must be in charge no matter what it takes, think this over and look at all your options before doing anything rash.

Your dog is growing and feeling the need to dominate were he can.  You may have to keep them separate when your not around.

Again, I hope someone can give you better advise. 

There is alot you need to understand before using a shock collar, its complicated and not for the novice.

Just a friendly warning.

But one things for sure, you must be in charge no matter what it takes, think this over and look at all your options before doing anything rash.

Use extreme caution also when using the shock collar.  It might be a very last resort if all else fails and use only with someone with lots of experience.  Remember too, that this is still a very young dog too.

be very careful, if you care as much about your Yorkie as you do about your GSD - it only takes one bite, even a nip and one tooth can kill the small dog or cause major trauma.  And, not fair for the small dog who lives in the same household to be afraid for his life.  I have two chihuahuas in a household of GSDs and I am VERY careful.  My dogs get along fine but still I never let the chi's around the GSDs unsupervised and even then, they are not allowed to "get in the face" of the GSDs.  As I said - one mistake can be the small dogs' last.

molly

YOu cannot force this situation. Not all dogs are going to get along. Any breeder will tell you that they have certain dogs that can never be allowed to play together, or have the run of the house or yard together.

I have a friend who is a cardigan breeder. Her dogs are turned out in FIVE separate yards, even though her kennel isn't that large (about 12 dogs, I think.) Intact males cannot be trusted together, and, of course, must be kept separated from the females. A couple of  her bitches hate the sight of each other, so THEY have to be separated.

Yorkies are so tiny, I have to echo what molly said. I heard of an incident where a lady had her Yorkie pull the retractable leash out of her hand. It hit the dog on the skull, and killed it.

I do hope you can keep the lid on this situation, but I must say, I feel it's a very risky situation for the small dogs to be in.

neuter him..  get a 6 foot  wod privacy fence ( hard to climb or jump over it) ... follow above advice....obedience lessons... .keep up socialization & non tolerance of such behaviors...maybe find a "behavorist"  .he's young  but keep in thought,  may have to re-home him where he is "only" child  perhaps----sometimes nothing works--ALPHA is ALPHA---been there//done that..........aggressive dogs---whether towards people or other animals or both,  are a huge liability,  & alot of responsibility to ensure the safety of other people//animals,.. you will always have to "watch"  them  & be aware of the situation//environement surrounding ...,whether in the home///yard or if able to take them out in public (which i couldn't).....no expert...just experienced it 2x.....BUt...they were obdient & mannered within the home ---my last girl was an "only child"  for 12 1/2 yrs)

best of luck

******dee******

i will tell you right now, that punishing a dog for aggressive behavior  only makes it worse.  it is not unusual for large dogs to dislike little ones.  if he hates the yorkie, punishing him will only make him hate that dog all the more.  this topic has been brought up  here before and my answer was the same.  i have 8 dogs and not all get along.  i know who does and who doesn't.  those who don't get along are never allowed together.  i mean never.

pjp

Zeigenfarm has a point.  If you leap on the dog and get aggressive, in the moment of "excitement" for him - it will wind him up, not put him down.  Be VERY Assertive in every other way with him.  Go for the 24/7 - "I am Boss" do as I say, dont dare do anything I dont" attitude.  Give him a tough time with obedience, not hitting.  Make him know that YOU are the alpha, in a dogs way, by expression, not using their last tactic which is fighting.  First they will dominate - and by doing strict obedience work, and making sure he doesnt do cutey things like cuddle up on the settee or be "special" to you above the others, then he will learn quickly, and whilst doing this, dont drop your guard for one minute and leave them together, always be there when they are lose.  I have just practiced this very thing on my Border Terrier who wants to kill my cat!! Yes, kill him.  After a week, I have her afraid of the cat !!  The cat has done noithing to her,(its too dopey) I havent beaten her. and have just done what I have said here.  I could almost say I could leave them together now, but I wont for a long time.  I have seen the cat flee whilst playing around the house, which is the danger point, and still the B.T. is now looking at me and afraid.  When she starts to be afraid or ignore, without looking at me, then I will know I have won.

One thing I feel strongly about - you say you leave their crates open.  DONT.  You must be in charge of their crates.  YOU say when they go in and when they go out.  That way, they do not become so possessivbe of their own place, and you become the Alpha because you are giving them their place to rest too - also feed him last of the pack, and make him wait....and when you leave, make sure the Yorkies are in their crates in a different room, so he doesnt get the chance to sit and eye-ball them and work himself up to dominate.  When you are around and want them free, always close the crates, I have had much success with this on my One 2 One visits to peoples homes.  Believe me, they will suddenly feel that you are the Alpha if you are also in charge of letting them in and out, rather than giving them all the free rein.

Hope it works.  Remember, if dogs are dominating, at the point you get to them, as you have described above, any sort of elevation of voice, or beating even controlled could send him over the top, and one bite will do it in that position..... so if you find it gets to that, I would go to him in a very assertive manner, take him by the collar (always keep one on at present) and put pressure on him to leave her WITHOUT saying a word.  When he has left the little Yorkie, put him down on the floor still by the collar (without saying a word) and hold him there for a few seconds. eyeballing him with a stern look.and dont be too soft on the hold, he can take it.

This may sound silly, but remember................ dogs in the wild state dont talk to each other to correct behaviour, they do it by body language in the first instance.,   Regards   Mo - Mascani.