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BIG black lab has issues with certain male dogs.
I have a 103lb Black Labrador Retriever named Chewy.He has never had an issue with dogs until my grandma brought her black lab mastiff mix cujo over they are close in size (cujo was not yet nudered and he is no longer my grandmas dog) and as soon as they saw eachother they were barking and snarling like crazy up on their hind legs pulling at the leashes.Now Chewy does not like certain male dogs, he will stand tall over them and sniff them with his tail up and then he may or may not growl then try to dominate them. Chewy IS NOT aggressive toward male dogs but he is dominant and advice on how i can break this habbit?? he was never like this until his encounter with my grandmas dog cujo.He is only domiant toward big male dogs or dogs close to his size he is very friendly and playful with small male dogs but big ones he tends to act more serious but not aggressively.
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Chewy
on Feb 13th 2011
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in Behavior & Training
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I know my answer will be controversial, but does Chewy NEED to mix with other dogs? I ask b/c, while humans enjoy having their dogs be sociable w/other dogs, it isn't NECESSARY for him to have a great life, if YOU are his best friend (food for thought). I do understand, tho, that walking your dog is easier if he's not lunging & snarling when you pass other dogs
1- don't keep testing him & letting him practice aggressive displays
2- I avoid letting my dog greet dogs while ON leash b/c it usually adds anxiety. It IS safer than off leash if he's got issues, BUT leashes complicate proper greetings
3-If you insist that Chewy interact w/other dogs, I recommend hiring a trainer specializing in behavior modification using dog-friendly techniques, such as desensitization & counter-conditioning, to help Chewy overcome his anxiety around large dogs. Try these referrals - tiny.cc or tiny.cc
Good luck!
Leigh Sansone, CPDT-KA
Ruff Customers Training
tiny.cc
Miss Alabama, CGC - "Allie"
answered on 2/14/11.
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Well, it sounds like the easiest solution is as the previous person mentioned, just don't let him interact with the type of dog he doesn't like- big unneutered males, it sounds like. Don't take him to dog parks, and call him to you if you see a big male dog coming towards him on a walk. Work on improving his focus on you with tasty treats for watching you. Eventually he may even associate this type of dog with tasty food, and get excited instead of aggressive! Perhaps this will fade away if you don't let him meet big male dogs- every time he gets to practice this inappropriate behavior, the habit gets stronger, so stop letting him do it.
If he HAS to be around a particular big male dog, introduce him slowly and with lots of treats for calm behavior. Don't let him get close right away, and remove him at the first sign of trouble. Keep your own body language calm and collected, he will be picking up cues from you. Good luck!
Bruno
answered on 2/14/11.
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