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by Runag on 20 February 2014 - 13:02
Hi
I have a 10month old GSD bitch. Great with people, lovely temperament and mixes well with our other dogs. However, on her first meeting with a strange dog - i.e. walking calmly on a lead on a quiet country road she turned into an almighty terror. We met a person walking a white adult german shepherd towards us and on first sight, my dog went ballistic. I was not expecting that reaction - she was only 9 months at that point. I thought when I reached the op she would sniff noses and do the usual puppy stuff like fawn around and want to play but I'm afraid to say that she launched herself straight at the other dogs neck. Fortunately, I stopped her before she reached it but she was making a continual noise and was really aggressive. I have since taken her to mix with an experienced handler and an older dog, tried giving her treats, walking her backwards and forwards past the op, praising her when she didn't bark etc. and eventually she calmed down but the next visit had exactly the same result. She is really powerful and I am using a half choke - it gets to the point where she is strangling herself trying to get to the other dog but despite strong correction, she still won't give up. At that point, I just have to drag her away. She is like that with any and every strange dog we meet. I have tried all the distraction methods I can think of but no joy. Someone suggested an electric collar, someone even suggested letting her have a fight with a dog that was sure to beat her
She is just finishing her first season could it be hormonal and might she improve when she matures a bit? Has anyone else had this problem? Any suggestions greatfully received.
I have a 10month old GSD bitch. Great with people, lovely temperament and mixes well with our other dogs. However, on her first meeting with a strange dog - i.e. walking calmly on a lead on a quiet country road she turned into an almighty terror. We met a person walking a white adult german shepherd towards us and on first sight, my dog went ballistic. I was not expecting that reaction - she was only 9 months at that point. I thought when I reached the op she would sniff noses and do the usual puppy stuff like fawn around and want to play but I'm afraid to say that she launched herself straight at the other dogs neck. Fortunately, I stopped her before she reached it but she was making a continual noise and was really aggressive. I have since taken her to mix with an experienced handler and an older dog, tried giving her treats, walking her backwards and forwards past the op, praising her when she didn't bark etc. and eventually she calmed down but the next visit had exactly the same result. She is really powerful and I am using a half choke - it gets to the point where she is strangling herself trying to get to the other dog but despite strong correction, she still won't give up. At that point, I just have to drag her away. She is like that with any and every strange dog we meet. I have tried all the distraction methods I can think of but no joy. Someone suggested an electric collar, someone even suggested letting her have a fight with a dog that was sure to beat her
She is just finishing her first season could it be hormonal and might she improve when she matures a bit? Has anyone else had this problem? Any suggestions greatfully received.
by fawndallas on 20 February 2014 - 13:02
At what age did the issue start?
Was she socialized around other dogs during the 1st 6 months? If so, what was her pack order with the other dogs?
your best bet is to work with an experienced trainer for aggression . For this behavior, too much is at stake, and it is too hard for any sight unseen advice.
Was she socialized around other dogs during the 1st 6 months? If so, what was her pack order with the other dogs?
your best bet is to work with an experienced trainer for aggression . For this behavior, too much is at stake, and it is too hard for any sight unseen advice.
by Sunsilver on 20 February 2014 - 14:02
Runag, do you let her mix with the other dogs all the time? If so, how do they interact with her?
This sort of behaviour is usually the result of something that has been done to the dog by another dog. It's possible she is being bullied, therefore immediately sees other dogs as a threat, and wants to get the upper hand right away. I fthat's not the case, then somewhere along the line, she's met another dog that has attacked her or frightened her in some way, and made her feel she must defend herself.
As for the cure, you have to manage your pack better. You have to convince her that YOU are her protector, and you are not going to let anything bad happen to her when she meets a strange dog, or when she is interacting with your other dogs.
This sort of behaviour is usually the result of something that has been done to the dog by another dog. It's possible she is being bullied, therefore immediately sees other dogs as a threat, and wants to get the upper hand right away. I fthat's not the case, then somewhere along the line, she's met another dog that has attacked her or frightened her in some way, and made her feel she must defend herself.
As for the cure, you have to manage your pack better. You have to convince her that YOU are her protector, and you are not going to let anything bad happen to her when she meets a strange dog, or when she is interacting with your other dogs.
by Runag on 20 February 2014 - 14:02
>At what age did the issue start?
Was she socialized around other dogs during the 1st 6 months? If so, what was her pack order with the other dogs?<
She has mixed with the other dogs since I got her at 8 weeks with no problem, she plays with them with no sign of aggression or dominance - in pack order, she would be lower down the scale as we have an older bitch who is definitely the boss.
She reacted like that to a dog at 6 months old but I let her loose and she was fine after the initial greeting - however, to be honest, I am not willing to take that chance now. I am an experienced handler - if this behaviour is genetic as I am beginning to fear, I will have to think very carefully about her future.
Was she socialized around other dogs during the 1st 6 months? If so, what was her pack order with the other dogs?<
She has mixed with the other dogs since I got her at 8 weeks with no problem, she plays with them with no sign of aggression or dominance - in pack order, she would be lower down the scale as we have an older bitch who is definitely the boss.
She reacted like that to a dog at 6 months old but I let her loose and she was fine after the initial greeting - however, to be honest, I am not willing to take that chance now. I am an experienced handler - if this behaviour is genetic as I am beginning to fear, I will have to think very carefully about her future.
by Maxleia on 20 February 2014 - 14:02
Why does she have to get along with strange dogs?
by Runag on 20 February 2014 - 14:02
Sunsilver
>Runag, do you let her mix with the other dogs all the time? If so, how do they interact with her?<
She is in the house but mixes with the other dogs on a daily basis - outside running, tug etc. No bullying that I can see.
>This sort of behaviour is usually the result of something that has been done to the dog by another dog. It's possible she is being bullied, therefore immediately sees other dogs as a threat, and wants to get the upper hand right away. I fthat's not the case, then somewhere along the line, she's met another dog that has attacked her or frightened her in some way, and made her feel she must defend herself<
There is a possibility that the wolfhound from the neighbouring property has intimidated her through the boundary fence - she certainly has a strong reaction to her - I will give that some thought. Thanks Sunsilver.
>Runag, do you let her mix with the other dogs all the time? If so, how do they interact with her?<
She is in the house but mixes with the other dogs on a daily basis - outside running, tug etc. No bullying that I can see.
>This sort of behaviour is usually the result of something that has been done to the dog by another dog. It's possible she is being bullied, therefore immediately sees other dogs as a threat, and wants to get the upper hand right away. I fthat's not the case, then somewhere along the line, she's met another dog that has attacked her or frightened her in some way, and made her feel she must defend herself<
There is a possibility that the wolfhound from the neighbouring property has intimidated her through the boundary fence - she certainly has a strong reaction to her - I will give that some thought. Thanks Sunsilver.
by Runag on 20 February 2014 - 14:02
Maxleia
>Why does she have to get along with strange dogs?<
because I intend to compete in working trials / tracking with her and that would be difficult if she is trying to tow me across a field.
>Why does she have to get along with strange dogs?<
because I intend to compete in working trials / tracking with her and that would be difficult if she is trying to tow me across a field.
by joanro on 20 February 2014 - 14:02
My take is that your older female has her on the defensive. It's like a kid who is cowed by siblings will try to cow kids he doesn't know. Put a head halter on her so you can control her direction. STOP giving her treats while other dogs are around. Be matter of fact and YOU avoid focusing on the other dog. YOU act as though the other dog does not exist. Walk her passed without any interaction.
In order to do the activities you want to do, does not require her to interact with other dogs. YOU must take the lead and ignore the other dogs if you want her to ignore them.... stop making it an issue. Walk her passed without acknowledging the other dog.
In order to do the activities you want to do, does not require her to interact with other dogs. YOU must take the lead and ignore the other dogs if you want her to ignore them.... stop making it an issue. Walk her passed without acknowledging the other dog.
by Hired Dog on 20 February 2014 - 14:02
Animal aggression is sometimes genetic. My current male has it, always did, from the time he was a puppy. Although I do not like animal aggression, I understand it, I dont pretend it does not exist and I manage it in ways with him that leave no ambiguities in his mind of what will happen if he challenges my command to pay attention to me and ignore other dogs.
Your dog does not have to get along with other dogs to be trained or compete, she just needs to have a very clear picture in her head of what will happen to her if she attempts to "tow" you, ignore you or otherwise make this a problem for you.
No, dogs do not have to get along with strange dogs outside of their pack and I dont expect mine to do it...I prefer a socially neutral dog.
Let me add, the Electric collar used intelligently can work wonders with managing a dog's animal aggression, but, you need to find someone who understands how to use one and understand that there will be no verbal communication from you while using it.
Your dog does not have to get along with other dogs to be trained or compete, she just needs to have a very clear picture in her head of what will happen to her if she attempts to "tow" you, ignore you or otherwise make this a problem for you.
No, dogs do not have to get along with strange dogs outside of their pack and I dont expect mine to do it...I prefer a socially neutral dog.
Let me add, the Electric collar used intelligently can work wonders with managing a dog's animal aggression, but, you need to find someone who understands how to use one and understand that there will be no verbal communication from you while using it.
by laura271 on 20 February 2014 - 14:02
"Animal aggression is sometimes genetic. My current male has it, always did, from the time he was a puppy. Although I do not like animal aggression, I understand it, I dont pretend it does not exist and I manage it in ways with him that leave no ambiguities in his mind of what will happen if he challenges my command to pay attention to me and ignore other dogs."
The same for our male GSD- Bosco is very dog aggressive and always will be but he understands that he must tolerate the presence of other dogs even at very close range. We worked with his breeder, an experienced trainer, to achieve this goal- it's not something we could have accomplished on our own.
The same for our male GSD- Bosco is very dog aggressive and always will be but he understands that he must tolerate the presence of other dogs even at very close range. We worked with his breeder, an experienced trainer, to achieve this goal- it's not something we could have accomplished on our own.
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