Need Help - Dog Aggression

rugersss · #1 07-22-2009, 10:53 AM

Hi everybody. I have not posted since I joined but I am having a problem with Ruger and would really like some advice. I just moved into a new place that has this great common area where everyone brings their dogs to play. It was actually one of the things that attracted me to this place because it is basically a private dog park 100ft from my door. Anyway, there is a neighbor who has an unaltered lab who is very aggressive with the other dogs. There have been numerous altercations and more stories than you would believe. About two weeks ago he attacked Ruger and ended up biting him in the face (it ended up only being only a puncture wound on his lip). After the lab bit him, Ruger went after the Lab like nothing I've ever seen. He really wanted to get to this dog. After seperating them and cleaning up Ruger, I decided to give him a few days away from the park to calm down a bit.

After returning to the park a few days later, Ruger was his same old self with the other dogs. No aggression, just being a typical playful boxer. But the minute this lady brought out her lab again Ruger immediately went after it, even before it ever made it to the grass. It was like he knew it was the dog who bit him. And this once aggressive lab wants nothing to do with Ruger and just cowers and doesnt fight back.

I have since asked this lady to check to see if I am out there before bringing her dog out, as I have agreed to do the same. But she continues to just bring her dog out without checking and without a leash. This has happened a few times and each time Ruger tries to go after her dog. He is great with all other dogs and has never had any sort of aggression issues. It is just this one dog.

Has anyone else had this happen to them? If so, how did you resolve it? I can only ask this lady so many times to check for me before bringing her dog. I would hate for Ruger to lose out on playing with all the other dogs because of one dog that bit him.

Sorry for the long post, I am just at torn as to what to do. Thanks for your help.

chrystel · #2 07-27-2009, 08:08 AM

If the lady also wants to work on this, i would see if she would agree to go on a walk with you while both dogs are walking at safe distance..

little by little, maybe bring the dogs closer..

i would try to make them walk daily together, until Rugger can see he's safe.

that's my only idea on this.. good luck!

LILYLARUE · #3 07-27-2009, 08:28 AM

What are the rules as far as dog owners and leashes go? I would go to the Rental office or the Condo Assoc. and have them reconsider rules for the park and dog's being leashed at all times.

Since this lady is refusing to make this a workable effort on her part, there may need to be some official intervention to make her comply. If her dog has a history and she refused to attend to fixing it, then official obligations put upon her may wake her up.

It is good that your dog hasn't aggressed at other dogs, only the one with the issue. This shows that your dog hasn't gotten a fear aggressive attitude. But if he were to continuously have altercations with this dog, it could develope into a fear aggression. So you need to tend to this before it goes any further. If your dog gets worked up when seeing this other dog, please allow time to recover by not allowing your dog to associate with other dogs til you see yours calm down. Dogs can have a tendancy to transfer aggression to other dogs if the dog is in a heightened energy or aggressive state. Doesn't make for a good playmate if one of the dogs are stressed.

rugersss · #4 07-28-2009, 11:14 AM

Thanks for the responses. I am glad he has not started to show aggression towards other dogs. However, I do feel him tense up when I am walking him and we pass other dogs. This has just been a very unfortunate situation and you're right, I do not want to let it progress any farther. Thanks again, I will keep you informed as to what happens...