agresstion against some dogs

[lovell123]

Hi just wonderd if any 1 had any ideas about dogs being funny towords other dogs when my male 17 month old staffy was about 5 monthss old a jack russle had a go at him ever since he is funny with other dogs ie.. Growels when on lead if a big dog are a westie walks past some dogs he is fine of lead with ie..There is a sheep dog who he plays great with and 2 labs.But like takeing him to vets its a nightmare growling at other dogs i only let him off if there is no other dogs in park many thanx ps i did take him to do traineing and he is fine in house soft as a brush even more with our 7 year old son many thanx again.

[andy-hughes]

The interaction of dogs is complcated, and not something we humans are privvy to, unfortunately.

Most dogs will be tiwtchy around other dogs when on a lead - they know that are not free to fight or flee, so they tend to 'get in first' by putting their aggression on the table from the off, in order hopefully to avoid a fight. Problem is, if the other dog is a similar pursuasion, someone has to back down, or there is a fight.

With regard to the Jack Russell - they are notoriously kamikaze in their attitude to bigger dogs, the bigger they come, the more a JR will take them on. If your dog is of a docile nature, he may have been upset by this, and rememebred it, which may make him nervous around other dogs.

Don't worry about problems in the vets - almost all dogs pick up on the 'freak-out' atmosphere and vibes in a vet's waiting room, so they all get twitchy and start asserting themselves because they are insecure, so behavious in a vet's can be discounted - almost all dogs don't like vets , and take out their fear and uncertainty on other dogs.

Sounds like your dog is nice natured, but any dog will turn if the circumstances are there. Try to make sure you stay calm when other dogs are near - he will pick up on your nervousness, and he may will attack to 'protect' you by instinct, so if you stay calm, he will too.

[showcatbenga]

Yes, he's had his confidence knocked but you cannot allow him to risk doing certain behaviours. The onus is on you to be in control of your dog at all times. Train the 'no' or 'leave' command & use it when he displays unacceptable behaviour. He will only do the agression behaviour while you allow it! Turn his back to the other dogs so he cannot make eye contact by distracting his attention to look only at you. Unfortunately with times as ignorant as they are for certain breeds you have to be super controlled because your dog's breed will always have the finger pointed at them first. You are doing the right thing by keeping him socialised & going out but you don't have to let him off the lead for him to enjoy the walk. Hope some of this helps.