Aggression towards dogs

• 09-25-2007 1:47 PM

  rolenta Joined on 09-10-2007 Alberta, Canada Posts 1,069 Points 0

  Aggression towards dogs Reply Contact Hi there. I just adopted a one year old, medium-large sized, spayed female dog. She is in no way aggressive towards humans (actually very sweet), but I have two dogs already and she has shown some aggression towards them. One is bigger and older than her, and she seems to have acknowledged him as the dominant one. However, we have a smaller dog who she just can't seem to leave alone. Any time the little one makes a move (goes for a toy, food, gets on the couch), the new dog starts barking, showing her teeth, growling, and even biting (when we're unable to break them up in time). It is clear to me that this dog is neither nervous nor afraid, meaning it's clear that the aggression stems from dominance issues. It is also clear that the new dog isn't simply trying to play. To those of you who have dealt with dogs who are aggressive towards other dogs, what can you suggest? Heidi and crew: Tojo (shiba inu), Rakka (shikoku), Skella, (icelandic sheepdog), Hester and Ridley (cats)

  Filed under: Socializing, training Post Points: 0

• 09-25-2007 6:54 PM

  In reply to rolenta

  jode88 Joined on 06-27-2006 DFW Area Posts 695 Points 25

  Re: Aggression towards dogs Reply Contact I have a wee little bit of experience with this from my female Great Pyr.  We adopted her in June and she was 7 months old. She met Sampson (my other dog) in neutral territory and they were fine together.  When we brought her home...everything changed.  She too is very sweet with humans and loves attention.  She quickly began attacking Sampon when he would get a toy or even walk by her while she was eating.  Seemed to be a resource guarding thing.  Anything Sam had...she wanted and would fight for it.  We tried correcting her behavior with verbal "eh-eh" or a squirt bottle.  We kept the squirt bottle near to spray her when she attacked him.  She has a big head and mouth and yes...we were a little afraid of her so we would break it up with the water.  There were many nights I questioned my decision to get another dog and even cried.  Sam didn't deserve what he was getting.  He even went through a funk where he didn't want to be around us much..he would hide under the bed all the time.  The only time he was his old self was on our walks.  So we walked a lot!!!   Fast foward a couple months and I just can't imagine our household without her.  She and Sampson are the best of buds....he so adores her.  She is so loving and sweet we just can't get enough of her.  She just needed time to adjust to her new home and surroundings.  She had atleast 2 other homes before ours.  It took her a good two months but she is great.  She doesnt attack Sampson anymore, they share toys and everything.  It wasnt so much of what we did, as it was just for her to come around.  Good luck. pimpyourpooch.blogspot.com

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• 09-26-2007 10:09 AM

  In reply to jode88

  rolenta Joined on 09-10-2007 Alberta, Canada Posts 1,069 Points 0

  Re: Aggression towards dogs Reply Contact Thanks for the response.  My husband made this post, which is why the post sounds like I'm talking to people who don't recognize me, haha.  Anyway, Sage/Samus (the aggressor) is doing a lot better.  We are squirting her when she growls and are having her wear a muzzle.  She doesn't like the muzzle, but she bit Tojo really hard twice, and I think every time he gets bitten the situation gets worse.  Tojo hid in the bedroom all day after she bit him.  She hasn't made a lunge at him or growled all yesterday, so I think she is learning.  Your post gave me hope.  My honest feeling is that they will adjust and learn to be friends.  Sage/Samus has a history of dog aggression, but her previous owner tells me she does well with other dogs if introduced slowly, so I think it will just take time.  Heidi and crew: Tojo (shiba inu), Rakka (shikoku), Skella, (icelandic sheepdog), Hester and Ridley (cats)

  Post Points: 0

• 10-11-2007 12:26 AM

  In reply to rolenta

  californiaglock Joined on 08-22-2007 Northern California, USA Posts 303 Points 95	Re: Aggression towards dogs Reply Contact this may sound canned but have you considered a 1 time consolation with a dog behaviorist?
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• 10-12-2007 9:21 PM

  In reply to rolenta

  Andrew Joined on 10-12-2007 Oklahoma City Posts 8 Points 30

  Re: Aggression towards dogs Reply Contact I have 2 boxers and when my male was a puppy I had a problem with him being aggressive towards other dogs when I was at the park.  Here is what I did and it seemed to work best for stubborn dogs.  Put your aggressive dog on a leash so you can control her (grayhound collars work the best).  Then have her "sit" while someone else put food down for your other dog (or whatever triggers the aggression). Once she tries to be aggressive jerk the collar and tell her "wrong" (Dogs don't know what "no" means B/c they hear you say it all day long, how many times do you say wrong in a day??) If she keeps being aggressive then roll her over onto her back and hold her head so she is looking only at you and tell her wrong.  You need to show her that you are the "donimant male"  and she needs to listen to what you say.  Putting her in the submissive position shows your dominants but does not hurt her in any way.  It takes time depending on how stubborn she is, but you should see some improvement the very first time.

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• 10-12-2007 10:05 PM

  In reply to rolenta

  spiritdogs Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 10,137 Points 735

  Re: Aggression towards dogs Reply Contact Thanks for the response.  My husband made this post, which is why the post sounds like I'm talking to people who don't recognize me, haha. Anyway, Sage/Samus (the aggressor) is doing a lot better.  We are squirting her when she growls and are having her wear a muzzle.  I don't have a problem with the muzzle part, but why would you take away her "early warning system" by squirting her when she growls?  Also, why would you want her to associate the presence of the other dog with being squirted?  My inclination would be to feed her some squeeze cheese through that muzzle when the object of her dismay appears, and I would stop feeding when he disappears.  That might change her opinion of the smaller dog over the long haul. She doesn't like the muzzle, but she bit Tojo really hard twice, and I think every time he gets bitten the situation gets worse.  Tojo hid in the bedroom all day after she bit him.  She hasn't made a lunge at him or growled all yesterday, so I think she is learning.  Or, it could be that he is learning - that his home is no longer a safe place to be.  I don't understand why you would have adopted a dog that someone described as dog aggressive, and subjected your resident dogs to that behavior.  Seems to me that the dog might have done better in a home where she is an only dog.  Not to say that this cannot work, if the description of her getting better when she is used to the dogs is true.  But, personally, I would maybe a adopt a dog that argues with my resident dogs, but not one that "bites hard", and makes them afraid or unhappy on a more or less permanent basis.  JMHO, and not trying to offend you - perhaps her situation was such that you needed to get her out of the situation she was in.   Your post gave me hope.  My honest feeling is that they will adjust and learn to be friends.  Sage/Samus has a history of dog aggression, but her previous owner tells me she does well with other dogs if introduced slowly, so I think it will just take time.  For your sake, I hope that you are right, and that there will be no further incidents.  Is the smaller dog a male or female, and what are the dogs' ages? Regional Director for Massachusetts, International Positive Dog Training Association Director, SeniorCare Pawsitive Connections Program AKC CGC Evaluator #3669 Therapy Dogs, Inc. Tester/Observer Sioux, CGC, TDInc. Maska, CGC, TDInc. Sequoyah, CGC Fergie, Retired Lap Dog, Age 19 Dancer, CGC, TDInc. (1989-2006) #1 Heart Dog "If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." - Chief Dan George "The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be." ~ Konrad Lorenz

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• 10-14-2007 3:51 PM

  In reply to spiritdogs

  espencer Joined on 09-25-2006 St Louis Posts 3,204 Points 300

  Re: Aggression towards dogs Reply Contact spiritdogs: I don't have a problem with the muzzle part, but why would you take away her "early warning system" by squirting her when she growls?  Also, why would you want her to associate the presence of the other dog with being squirted? To stop an imminent fight? Good for you Rolenta, you dont want to be having stitches on your dog or you because you let it escalate, growling is not guaranteed to stop a fight and you dont want to play coin toss with it spiritdogs: My inclination would be to feed her some squeeze cheese through that muzzle when the object of her dismay appears, and I would stop feeding when he disappears.  That might change her opinion of the smaller dog over the long haul. And once you run out of treats your dog will go back to his desire of killing the other dog, THAT IS IF he actually paid attention to the food, some dogs can have a double Big Mac in front of them and not even look at it if they have that desire of killing the other dog My best advice is looking for a behaviorist, only someone that can work with you one on one will be the best option that anything you can read in a forum "There are not bad dogs, only bad owners"

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