Are my dogs aggressive??

[ca_dao]

My 7-mo-old puppies are just about the sweetest things around human, young or old, even strangers, but become aggressive at the mere sight of other dogs. They do not growl, bite, nor attempt anything physically, they would just stare at them and bark their hearts out, and there is nothing I can do to make them stop except take them away from the situation.

Is this sign of their aggressiveness? and how do I train them to be more friendly to other dogs?

Thanks, CD

PS: Oh, I tried to sign them up to puppy class, one by one, but the teacher wouldn't let us come in because of this unstoppable barking! I'm totally embarrassed. Help!

 

[DanL]

I think thats a pretty normal thing for dogs to do. Our GSD did that from 3 months old on. It's not easy to break them of it, but the main thing is to get them to not focus on the other dogs and to focus on you. If you have to remove them for a while to do that, thats what has to happen. We are now at the point where we can walk by dogs that are fenced in and barking their heads off at us and he barely gives a glance. Situations with closer encounters are still questionable- small dogs he ignores if they walk by, but big dogs he might bark at from time to time. Even there, he's doing much better, maybe a bark or 2, not going ballistic like he used to. Just be patient and stay relaxed- if you tense up, they can tell and that is only going to add to their stress. I'm sure some others will give you tips on what to do and what not to do as well. It just took time for us, and we are still working on it. I didn't expect him to be perfect right away so as long as I understand he's sometimes going to react, then it's no worry to me, as long as we make progress.

 

[misticaleclipse]

I am not sure if its agresiveness since they are also not growling. Charlie has been starting to bark at other dogs,and its not agresive, its becase he wants to meet them and play with them. I would suggest teaching them the quet command. It takes practice, but charlie is pretty good at it now.

 

[~Tucker&Me~]

If a teacher isn't willing to work with barking, then I would switch. He/she doesn't sound competent.

~Tucker

 

[good_dog]

I agree with Tucker. Barkers should be welcome in group classes... the high exposure to other dogs in a controlled setting makes it easier to desensitize them.

Try a REAL trainer.

Beth

 

[DanL]

That's exactly why we took Gunnar to basic OB 3 times- not because he didn't know the commands, but to get him used to being around other dogs.

 

[Doberluv]

I echo Dan's post and the others. Dogs are generally so deprived of getting to interact with their own specie, since they're so often leashed, that sometimes they just act like that because they want so badly to have some kind of relationship with other dogs. Some are definitely aggressive but sometimes it just looks like they are but they're really just very frustrated.

I don't usually like the idea of dog parks, but if you could find a friend or two who has friendly dogs and if you could all go on a walk together...walking parallel, with a purpose... without sniffing noses or coming face to face....and have some free playtime in a fenced area (provided they get along)....say, like a couple 2-3 times a week, that might relieve some of that frustration. Dogs need to socialize with one another. The more variety in dogs as playmates, the better.

You may have to be very active in searching out some people to help you, but that's where I'd start, in addition to trying to find a class where the trainer is willing to help you out. Be careful to find a trainer who isn't harsh. Yanking and punishing a pup for that behavior can make it worse as he begins to associate other dogs with a rotten time of punishment.

Like Dan said, teaching your pups to watch you and get their attention on you BEFORE they alert to another dog helps diffuse their excitabilty a little. But practice "watch me" at home.

You hold a treat up to your face and let the dog follow with his gaze. The second he looks up at you, treat and praise. After he does this a lot, start adding the words, "watch me" or "watch" or whatever you like. Then try giving the cue when the dog isn't paying a whole lot of attention to you, but is not too occupied with something else. If he doesn't look, you know it's not time yet to be asking for it ahead of time. Go back a step to where you show the dog the treat, he follows it up to your face with his eyes while you say, "watch" and you treat. Then go from there, adding a few mild distractions, little by little. Make sure the treat is something the dogs really, really love....even on a slightly hungry tummy helps.