Aggression Issues

[Bob Boxer]

I wear a gentle leader and it's okay, kinda makes my face itch but I let my people put in on, woof.
My people like it because they can control me better when I act silly.
I like other dogs who are non-threatening and have some friends who I am used too. But if I don't know you I might try to rumble and be the boss.
I live with a old grumpy Schnauzer..sometimes he'll even play with me, WOOF.
Bob

[Simba]

I just wanted to say thanxs for the GREAT links they helped in a large way!!!!! GOOD JOB!!!!!

Teri and Simba

[LokiGem]

Thanks for the links Krikkit. I read a couple and plan to check the other out too.
I have just recently had this aggression problem with Loki and would like to nip it in the bud. Loki is a neutered male and will be 2 years old on 6-19-04. I have had him since he was 8 wk.s old, he was neutered at 6 months and graduated puppy K. Since Loki was a young pup I have taken him to the dog parks for socialization and play.
Lately he has shown aggression to certain dogs at the park, really only males, and especially intact males. I was told that he may feel threatened by their testosterone and/or his insecurity about his place within the "pack" at the park. I am very concerned because before Loki was 1 yr. & 9or10 months, he has never hassled the other dogs. Why would he suddenly show aggression towards these other males?
Loki is the biggest love-bug you could ever meet. He LOVES people and has a mellow personality. He is very fond of children and most other dogs. I never thought he could growl and go after another dog like he has to these other male dogs. Could anyone give me any insight to this new aggressive behavior? I'm at a lost.
Thanx,
Kim & Loki

[Jan]

Originally Posted by LokiGem

Why would he suddenly show aggression towards these other males?
Thanx,
Kim & Loki

Because he is maturing. I would watch out for unneutered males and call him away. Now would be a good time to work on his recall so that he comes no matter what.

[LokiGem]

Will Loki always feel insecure around intact males? Why does he act aggressive towards them? Other than avoiding intact males, how can I curb this behavior? I would hate for him to become an outcast at the park because he has enjoyed his playtimes there since he was a pup.

Sorry for so many questions, but I'm trying to feel out this new problem so that I can handle it properly.

Thanks.
-Kim

[tcarlisle]

Originally Posted by LokiGem

Will Loki always feel insecure around intact males? Why does he act aggressive towards them? Other than avoiding intact males, how can I curb this behavior? I would hate for him to become an outcast at the park because he has enjoyed his playtimes there since he was a pup.

I know this is an old thread, but I see no other responses.

The intact males should not be at the dog park. Loki is probably not initiating aggression towards the intact males -- they are probably aggressively challenging him in very subtle ways that you cannot sense.

At the dog park I use, 90% of the time when an intact male is brought in it will conflict with another dog. 50% of those times I can read the dog and see it coming. Most people have no experience, and/or they fail to look at these dogs as animals, so they think it came out of "nowhere". Or they don't realize the intact male was actually the aggressing first (although maybe not physically).

I am not saying that no intact males exist that are not aggressive. But among the sampling I am exposed to at the ball park, it would appear that way.

Here is an example -- intact male stares down another dog, the other dog growls. Dog park people think the other dog "started it".

Another example -- intact male mounts a nuetered male. Dog park patrons laugh becuase it is cute/funny, and then become horrified that the nuetered male snaps at the intact male.

Another example -- intact male is brought to the park and is obviously aggressive to even the most inexperienced dog owner. It doesn't attack, but uses behavioral cues. The owner acknowledges that the dog gets a little aggressive toward neutered males, and the owner seems to manage the problem well. But over time, situation presents that is unmanageable for this experienced owner and a fight results.

You should not have to condition Loki, the solution is that intact males should not be in the dog park. If you are at the dog park and an intact male is brought in, keep your dog away from it and remove your dog if you have to. I recall my dog and play with him until I see the intact male interract with the others, and I get a read on the dog. If I decide to let my dog play at will, I watch carefully and if the intact male shows non-physical aggressive behavior (like staring), I recall my dog and remove him if I have to.

I find that trying to educate the owner of the aggressive intact male on the dog park ettiquette is pointless. Most are in denial, or don't care. Sometimes the owner is as big a jerk as his dog and should probably be neutered as well.

I can recall many instances of physical aggression that involved an intact male. After that, unspayed females. After that, neutered males & females.

My experience also correlates aggression incidents with breed stereotypes -- pit bulls are definately #1. Incidents with Rotties, Dobies, GSD, Akita are very prevalent as well. I have seen few incidents with Boxers as the aggressor (unfortunately our guys are often the recipient). But I have seen intact male boxers initiate an incident.

[celtgoddess]

Our puppy, Chopper, is showing some very agressive/dominant traits at 8 weeks old. He actually puts our older dog, Harley, on his back! He growls at us in a "mean" way, and also does this when I pick him up. He has started the "humpy" thing already, and refuses to be house trained in any way, shape, or form!!!! He has also bitten me twice (once on the face). I took him to the vet the other day for his 2nd set of puppy shots, and discussed these things with the Vet. She suggested a few things, 1. put 10-12 pennies in a can, and when he does something, shake the can really loudly. 2. When he growls at us, pin him down, and growl back even louder. 3. before giving him his food, make him perform a task, such as sit, shake, lay down. 4. (this is the one I'm not sure of) She also suggested a "pinch collar". She said she had always hated them, until she had an agressive Greyhound. She had resorted to it as a last measure, and it had worked for her. She said that she never did it hard, just enought to mimic the mother biting the neck. What do you all think????

[Jan]

I think your vet has given you some very bad advise! Your puppy is only 8 weeks old. He is just being a boxer puppy. Do a search on biting and you will get lots of advise!

[celtgoddess]

Jan, thanks for your advice. I wasn't sure, that's why I asked!!! His behavior is not "normal" (I know, what is normal?? lol), for an 8 week old puppy, I'm concerned by it. His growling, and biting aren't the typical puppy growl, it's far beyond that. I'm just worried that if I don't get it under control now, I'll have a problem on my hands. Thanks again!

[celtgoddess]

OOPS, that didn't sound like I meant it..I don't mean Chopper will be a problem, but that the behavior will be the problem!!!