Aggression with other dogs

[Tysedog]

I am having a serious issue with my 9month old male boxer Tyson. He is a kind gentle guy when around people, but once another dog steps in his path he turns vicious. Actually, he will sniff the other dog and do the whole "meet and greet" and then he gets this look in his eye. Once he gets that look he attacks. He is a well socialized dog. We've taken him in two training classes and he goes to daycare everyday. At daycare, he did exhibit this behavior, but was disciplined and does not bully the other dogs anymore. The minute i pick him up from daycare, however, he turns viscious again, lunging and snarling at the other dogs. From what i have been instructed to do with him is to pin him on the ground and "claim dominance". I am not sure if this tactic is going to work and i am desperate for some advice on how to correct this problem. Its getting to the point that it is stressful to take him to the dogpark or even to a soccer game, where there are other dogs. SO I guess my big question is....is there something I need to do to change this behavior or is there some other behavioral training that Tyson needs. Thanks

Karen

[Dempseysmama]

It sounds more like a protective issue to me than dog aggression or leash aggression. (I cannot say for sure since I cannot actually see it for myself.)

I would contact a behaviorist. Be careful about choosing one. Make sure they ONLY use positive methods and that the have credentials and references.

Please do not try to "claim dominance" over your dog like suggested. ou are very correct in not feeling good about it. There are too many reasons not to pin him on his back and too many better and safer ways to get the message across.

Good luck.

[Louise501]

This is exactly what Lottie my 1st boxer did, it was a nightmare, some days I would come home and be in tears as she would do it without any warning that I could see. She did see a behaviourist who said it was fear related, she is better now that she is nearly 8 but still has a tendency to be like that around other dogs

[ladyluck_t]

First off, rolling the dog on the ground and holding him there to "claim dominance" is the fastest way for you to go to the hospital and the dog to get euthanized. Do NOT attempt to alpha roll your dog (this is what it is called, regardless if they are using other terminology)

I would strongly recommend contacting a behaviorist, call your local rescue (any working breed rescue will have the right contacts), call your vet, call your trainer, call the daycare. Get recommendations from everyone of them. Then start screening these trainers that are recommended. (I would star or highlight the ones that are recommended most frequently and call them first)

There is no way for us here on the internet to accurately assess wether this is a leash aggression, protection, or fear based issue. Quite frankly, you have to see the behavior in order to accurately assess it. There is a lot of information on how to properly handle such situations if you are caught unawares. Do a search on any of the aforementioned issues.

While you are getting in contact with a trainer, I would strongly recommend that you get a couple of books on canine behavior. It will help you understand what to look for in a trainer/behavioral consultant and it would put you on equal footing as far as terminology.

Don't Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor => this book does an excellent job of giving a comprehensive explination of the terminology with clear examples
The other end of the leashy by Patricia McConnell => talks mostly about the communication with canines and how to interpret their signals
Fiesty Fido by Patricia McConnell => practical help with handling aggression issues.

[Tysedog]

Thank you for your input. I am going to start looking into a behaviorist, but think i may need to read up on this first. Also, I am assuming that there must be something i need to change about my behavior, as he does not act this way with my boyfriend (his other owner) at all. Is it possible that I have done something to make him more protective of just me? I think its time to do some research! Thanks again!

[amymboxer]

This is what I've done to solve this issue, it's likely a protection issue.
You know when your dog gets tense imediately redirect him by nudging him with your knee, and for those that want to jump all over me about it, I don't mean kick just bump him to get his attention and use a command like leave it, go look at Ceaser from dog whisperer on how he redirects the dog, trust me it works, I used methods close to his in Rufus with the same issues. Some people here don't like him but I think he is fabulous with aggression issues.
Also do not allow him to get into a staring contest with other dogs. Personally I have often put Rufus in a down position when he still had issues and made him stay put, he got a correction for behaving in such a matter that was not OK with me and when he behaved and he relaxed he was rewarded with a pet and good boy for ignoring the other dog. (he loves praise)
When going into the dog park, make sure your dog is paying attention to you, make him wait while you go through the gate first.
Be careful about yourself, leash tension does not help and your dog may also be sensing your uneasyness making it worse. Calm leadership is always best!
Good luck, get a good dog trainer who understands dogs as dogs as they will be able to help you best. There isn't a real quick fix just consistancy is the key with whatever method you use

[gmacleod]

I don't really think it's a protection thing. The dog is too young for that. And if it were, then you'd have to say he's got a pretty skewed idea of what constitutes a threat or not, and what his role as a dog is. As a matter of interest - does this happen when he's off leash, or is it an on-leash only occurance? If it's only on-leash, then you've got the beginnings of leash aggression.

If it is off leash also though, well, at 10 months, the dog is in his adolescent phase, which is a time that a LOT of boxers become obnoxious bullies toward smaller/younger/weaker dogs. Not unlike some human adolescents, in fact If he's behaving that way off leash as well as on, then that is most likely the issue. The answer in that case is a lot of socialisation, and preferably with older dogs who're capable of putting him in his place nicely but firmly - and still playing with him afterward.

Get a behaviourist to help you. It is a lot easier and more effective than battling along on your own trying to think of solutions and ending up avoiding the problem. Where a behaviourist is invaluable is that they can come and observe you and the dog. Identify cause, triggers, what you're doing that helps and what you're doing that hinders your cause. They can give you direct feedback and support. And that really helps!

There is a sticky thread at the top of this forum entitled "Aggression Issues". In that are some excellent links posted by Krikkit, both to useful articles AND to a directory of behavioural specialists whom you can contact. It really would be a very good idea to find one to help you deal with this issue as soon as possible. Don't let the behaviour become ingrained, get some help now - it will be easiest to solve if addressed early.

[Dempseysmama]

Originally Posted by gmacleod

I don't really think it's a protection thing. The dog is too young for that. And if it were, then you'd have to say he's got a pretty skewed idea of what constitutes a threat or not, and what his role as a dog is. As a matter of interest - does this happen when he's off leash, or is it an on-leash only occurance? If it's only on-leash, then you've got the beginnings of leash aggression.

I have to agree now that I see the age, but please don't take our word for it. We cannot know for certain without seeing first hand. Please contact a behaviorist.
Like Gwyneth said, it is good to have a professional on your side and to curb any unwanted behaviors early.

[Tysedog]

Unfortunately, this aggression has taken place on and off leash. I havn't experienced the off leash aggression for some time, due to the fact that I am too scared to take him to the park. He did, however, go to the park with a friend of mine and two other dogs and was fine. There was no sign of any aggression. It was a relief,but at the same time very frusterating for me.

If anyone has any input on behaviorists in Calgary, alberta, Canada that would be great. I am fairly new to the area and don't know many people that would be knowledgable about this stuff.

Thanks again for the input from everyone, it is very encouraging.

[gmacleod]

As referenced above, there are links to help you locate a behaviourist in a sticky thread at the top of this forum - this one: Aggression Issues