Beginnings of dog aggression?

[Picklepaige]

Maggie (I adopted her from the animal shelter where she was turned in as a stray, so I'm not sure of her breed) has always been fine with strange dogs, until recently. She turned 3 in May, and for the past three or so months she has been getting steadily more reactive to other dogs. She's fine with our other dog, Reecie, and she loves my friend's German Shepherd (he comes over to play all the time) but with any other dog, she wants nothing to do with them.

It's mainly when walking. Like today, I was walking both the dogs and had a run in with three loose dogs while walking both of mine. She wanted to murder them. They were very friendly and wanting to play, but she was snarling her head off and almost bit one of them. Also noted is she never redirects her aggression on myself or Reecie, it's always focused on the strange dog.

Thoughts?

 

[sammgirl]

Hi Pickle,

I'm sorry to hear about Maggie.

IMHO, I would consider not taking her out in public anymore. It sounds as if her severe aggression could eventually get her (and you) in trouble.

What I would do is find alternate, safe areas to play and stop trying to socialize her until you can find a way to do it safely. For instance, I would think that hiring a professional dog trainer who uses lots of positive reinforcement to train would be a good idea.

It could be that she needs to be on medication. Some dogs do need that extra bit of "help" just like people sometimes do.

That is an extreme fix, however, and every attempt should be made to rehabilitate the animal naturally.

While you are waiting for all of this to come to fruition, make sure you find fun and creative ways to keep Maggie stimulated at home. I know that the rolling food dispenser toys are popular in my neck of the woods when keeping puppies and adult dogs occupied.

There are several type of "educational" dog toys that are designed to hold their attention for an hour or two. Well, hopefully it will be that long! ;-) Depends on how drivey your dog is.

I know that lots of people play "tug" and dogs really seem to respond to it.

Good luck with your pooch.

 

[elegy]

were these dogs playing at a distance or did they rush up in her face? because if they rushed up in her face, i think she deserves a great bit of pardoning. a LOT of dogs don't tolerate that very well, and when they're on a leash, they don't really have any options except to snap/bite if they're that scared and feeling that defensive.

i certainly wouldn't see it as grounds to stop taking her anywhere or to medicate her.

how does she respond to other dogs who are under control and not in her face?

click to calm is a great book that's been discussed here many times. control unleashed is another. both deal with reactivity in similar ways with similar games, and i think either one would be helpful to you.

a lot of what i'm worrying about with my own dogs in situations like that is putting myself in the faces of those oncoming dogs to head them off before they reach my dogs. stepping toward them and telling them "no. go home" in a stern bossy no-nonsense voice goes a long way toward setting oncoming dogs back on their heels. i'd also consider carrying citronella or pepper spray.

 

[Picklepaige]

Elegy: You know, now that I think about it, the only time she does react with aggression towards other dogs in when on a leash. I'd wondered why she liked my friend's German Shepherd so much, and now that you mention it, she met him at our house while not restrained.

Also, she used to be very playful with dogs who approached her, but I do remember this one time when the approaching dog acted aggressively and more or less "jumped her." Could this be why she had started to act like this all of a sudden, out of fear? Or is it just her reaching maturity?

 

[Maura]

I would be inclined to think it is because, as Elegy stated, she feels vulnerable because she is restrained by the leash. When being approached by a loose dog I usually drop the leash, allowing them all to do their sniff thing, mark, etc., Most dogs are not aggressive when not in their own home territory unless they are fearful.

 

[elegy]

Also, she used to be very playful with dogs who approached her, but I do remember this one time when the approaching dog acted aggressively and more or less "jumped her." Could this be why she had started to act like this all of a sudden, out of fear? Or is it just her reaching maturity?

could be either, imo. it is *rude* for dogs to come running up straight into the face of a stranger dog. but it's also *scary* for some dogs. so it could very well be either.

Most dogs are not aggressive when not in their own home territory unless they are fearful.

there are many dogs out there who just don't like stranger dogs.

 

[bradny78]

without seeing the dog myself it sounds to me what we like to refer to as leash aggression. try concentrating on how you are holding the leash and on how you are reacting when another dog comes up to you on a walk. sometimes these outburst can look like extreme dog aggression when in reality it is just a high anxiety dog being leash reactive try keeping the leash slack when approached by other dogs.

also try picking up this book it has worked very well for people that i have recomended it to


FEISTY FIDO - HELP FOR THE LEASH REACTIVE DOG, 2ND EDITION
by Patricia McConnell and Karen London

- Welcome to Good Dog, BRAD Dog!