Starting to get aggressive.

MacEachernB · #1 11-04-2009, 08:55 PM

Sorry this is so long.

So my guy Jager is starting to get aggressive. He is a great listener and a great dog, but there are 2 things that bug me and Im wondering if they are realted and how to solve them.
My property is right beside a boulevard that cuts through the subdivision, and there is only a chain link fence in the back yard on that side so Jager gets to see everybody walking by. He used to love to go out and see everybody and everybody would say hi and some regulars stick their hands through the fence to pet him. It was great. But it all changed, I think when the now ex started having her lab here a lot, who has a whole bunch of problems on her own, but one of them was anyone who walked past would get a viscious barking at. Now Jager has learned to do the same. Sometime I even let him out and he tears over there like he is on a mission just to bark at people. Anytime I am outside and he does this i try to correct this by distracting him and geting him to come to me, which he does. But I dont really know what else to do?? The other day I was up at my dads and he did this to someone walking down the road and scared the hell out of them.
I like that he is protective of my stuff, but Id rather him be a friendly dog.

The other problem we are having, and I dont know if its related or not, is that we used to go to the dog park all the time with no problem he would get along with anyone and was even submissive if need be. But lately he doesnt take anything from anyone, and its almost like if anyone challenges him a fight will start. He isnt always the first to start it but he doesnt back down either. I have tried to watch for the signs of him getting in that mode and then distract him and give him prase when he is calm again, but there have been a few times when I am too late and they are fighting.

Any help is greatly apreciated.
Cheers,
Brian

SteveL · #2 11-05-2009, 02:19 PM

How old is he?? How does he act if they stop and talk to him. Boxers are very mouthy. Mine will bark at me and people around me think he is going to attack. I have to remind them to always look at the body language before they judge. I also think it is in thier nature to not back down. The few times my little Rocky has been attacked he has never run. He wants to play but is not afraid to fight.

larrygs · #3 11-05-2009, 04:05 PM

I was going to ask the same question, how old is he. He may be going through a stage. I think it is part of figuring out adulthood.

Our Layla began to go the same direction. Every alert to anything in vision and being protective. We have been correcting her, took awhile but it has now paying off. Basically having her watch us, getting between her and whatever, being calm about what she focused on, telling her to be quiet, essentially letting her know it is not acceptable and it is our job not hers.

I suggest not letting him be alone outside for awhile. Every time he does it and doesn't get corrected will reinforce the behaviour. In addition, the people will natually leave and reinforce what a great job he did scaring them away. Rather than calling him to you, you might try going to the fence and getting between him and whatever and get his attention, etc.

Just some thoughts.

MacEachernB · #4 11-05-2009, 04:38 PM

Sorry forgot to mention he is just about to turn 2.

Kilby'sMum · #5 11-06-2009, 06:11 PM

Yep I think around 2 is when Kilby started the barking at EVERYTHING that goes past our place. It is sooooo annoying!! We are still working on it (she'll be 4 in January!) but it is much better. We did the same as you in calling her out (if we're lucky, before she starts), ignoring the barking (which led to a period of crying instead) and also we praise her when she doesn't bark at someone going past. I'll be interested to see what others say about that.

In terms of the fighting at the dog park I would avoid it for a while; certainly not saying he's the instigator but you can only work with your dog, not the other dogs/people at the park. We opt for playdates with dogs we know instead. Kilby is the gentlest dog I've ever known (which is more than I can say for Kona!) but if another dog goes her she can and will hold her own. Kona on the other hand is really rambunctious and has an aggressive streak so we don't let her meet any new dogs unless she's on lead. We've never really had a 'fight' with either dog, touch wood!

On a side note, the silly lab next door taught Kilby how to dig when she was a puppy and I lost count of the number of times I had to go collect her from the neighbours yard after coming home from work. In the end, the neighbours wouldn't do anything about their dog so we now have chicken wire dug a metre in to the ground under our fence. That dog drives me nuts!!!

Murp.mm · #6 11-07-2009, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacEachernB

Sorry forgot to mention he is just about to turn 2.

His age says a lot. Ms. Ali would play with every dog until she turned two and then everything changed. I was devasted the first time she became dominant with another dog. She was always so playful with all the dogs. I quickly learned that she was getting mature and wanted to show her playmates that she was the boss. Well she has lots of doggie friends but she has no time for golden retrievers or most labs. I don't know why. But once she makes friends that's it ... she's their friend forever.

I think your boy may have learned the barking behaviour from his lab friend. Our poodle barks at everything and Ms. Ali caught on and now she barks everytime she hears someone coming. So they can pick up bad behavior from other dogs. And as well he's just turning two and wants to make a statement. Good Luck.