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My 20mth old dog is being aggressive

My dog has just recently been more aggressive to other dogs while on the lead since my wife was pregnant. We have used a choker chain but still looks to attack other dogs and won't stop. This happens even when it is just me walking the dogs. HE plays with other dogs happily at the off the leash dog park in town.
He has been desexed since 6mths old
my wife is becoming more nervous now with my 7week old son around the dog even though not aggresive to people


Asked by Member 1091286 on Feb 10th 2012 Tagged aggressive in Behavior & Training
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Bruno

You should probably stop with the choke chain. In some circumstances, the choke can amp up a dog's aggressive behavior instead of suppressing it. I would switch to a front-clip harness if you need something to control him more than a flat collar.

On-leash reactivity to other dogs is a really common issue. Here are some good links that explain it:
www.aspcabehavior.org
www.4pawsu.com

The Behavior and Training forum on Dogster is a great place for advice too.

Keep in mind, it's never a bad idea to consult a professional if you're in over your head. See if you can find a trainer in your area that commonly works with reactive dogs. This probably is usually treatable with good training and owner diligence, though it's never a quick fix.


Bruno answered on 2/10/12. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Dinah Saur

Dinah can occasionally be aggressive on the leash but is always great at the dog park.
The reasons we've found with her are:
1) low confidence- she was a rescue dog and dogs know on leash makes them vulnerable
2) bad leash manners or another dog's bad leash manners (when dogs strain to meet each other it heightens energy and can heighten aggression)
3) WE are nervous. Think of the leash as an extension of you. The dog can feel your tension through the lead. When I pull back she feels my tension and takes that to mean I am getting into fight or flight mode because of the oncoming dog.

Try having your wife take the dog to easy obedience classes just to work leash skills and confidence building. even if he's done it before.

Also I saw a dog almost die this summer from a choke collar. It can collapse their throat. There are various harnesses that might work better for you.


Dinah Saur answered on 2/11/12. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Dieta

dogs can become super protective over women in uteran with babies.
and some dogs also are leash reactive, there is a big difference between being leash reactive(that's being frustrated and panic on leash) and aggression.( aggression happens on and off leash it has no time frame but might have a trigger and in this mode the dog bites to kill another dog ect) and that is serious and should be handled. sounds like the dog is leash reactive, not sure can't see the dog :)
if the dog pulls you can have a Sensation Harness fitted for him it helps with pulling and it does not hurt the dog, it also has the snap ring on the chest not the back :)
make sure you excersise young dog daily he must get enough exercise to burn off all that energy


Dieta answered on 2/12/12. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


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