May 18, 2011
My pup seems to want to fight with other dogs, what do I do?
Full Question:
Ed, My pup (9 months) isn't socialized well with other dogs, particularly bigger dogs. I'm determined to remedy this. This wasn't really a problem until I moved into a new apartment complex that has lots of dogs. Specifically, should I correct my dog when she growls at other dogs, or would the correction amplify the problem by associating even greater stress whenever she encounters another dog?Thanks for your help!
Bob
Ed's Answer:
Adult dog fights are no fun. Its always better to nip dog aggression in the bud before it starts, but this is not always possible.
Some dogs are going to be dog aggressive no matter what you do. With some, it is a dominance/pack issue and it is always a fight.
What I do is put my pup in with another pup. I am always there to supervise. Its fine for the pups to play together, but if one gets really snarly or tries to fight I say "PHOOIE!!!" and I grab the offending pup and shake it by the back of the neck until it screams. I let it go and pet it to calm it down to show it that I still love it and I do not hold a grudge.
I usually only have to do this a few times before the pups respond to "PHOOIE" Most quickly learn that I am the pack leader and I am the one that says who can and can not fight.
With older dogs, I will get them used to wearing a muzzle - this can take a few weeks before they learn to ignore the muzzle. (I make them wear it in the dog crate, while on walks everywhere). Then I put two muzzled adults together and take them for a walk. They both have leashes on. I do not allow them to square off and fight. If they do I get right in the middle of it and show them who is the pack leader. If these are big tough males with a lot of protection training and they turn on me I give it to them even harder.
They eventually learn that fighting in muzzle is unacceptable behavior. What they end up doing is ignoring each other when they are out walking. This work does not make them friends and I never try and get to the point where I leave these kinds of dogs loose without muzzle (why test a fight). But I have a friend that is an instructor at the RCMP School in Canada that starts every class out like this and by the end of their 20 week course the dogs can run loose together without muzzle. I have never taken it to that point. It makes me a little nervous.
Some dogs are going to be dog aggressive no matter what you do. With some, it is a dominance/pack issue and it is always a fight.
What I do is put my pup in with another pup. I am always there to supervise. Its fine for the pups to play together, but if one gets really snarly or tries to fight I say "PHOOIE!!!" and I grab the offending pup and shake it by the back of the neck until it screams. I let it go and pet it to calm it down to show it that I still love it and I do not hold a grudge.
I usually only have to do this a few times before the pups respond to "PHOOIE" Most quickly learn that I am the pack leader and I am the one that says who can and can not fight.
With older dogs, I will get them used to wearing a muzzle - this can take a few weeks before they learn to ignore the muzzle. (I make them wear it in the dog crate, while on walks everywhere). Then I put two muzzled adults together and take them for a walk. They both have leashes on. I do not allow them to square off and fight. If they do I get right in the middle of it and show them who is the pack leader. If these are big tough males with a lot of protection training and they turn on me I give it to them even harder.
They eventually learn that fighting in muzzle is unacceptable behavior. What they end up doing is ignoring each other when they are out walking. This work does not make them friends and I never try and get to the point where I leave these kinds of dogs loose without muzzle (why test a fight). But I have a friend that is an instructor at the RCMP School in Canada that starts every class out like this and by the end of their 20 week course the dogs can run loose together without muzzle. I have never taken it to that point. It makes me a little nervous.
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