May 19, 2011
My 9 month old GSD is a great S&R dog, but she is showing signs of aggression towards the other S&R dogs in my group. Any suggestions on how to stop this behavior?
Full Question:
Hi Mr. Frawley,I have been reading many of your question/answers on your site (a link from my state SAR site). I wonder if you could help me with suggestions for my 9 month old GSD female. She is a GREAT trailing dog with SAR...the problem I am having is that she is showing some dog aggression towards the other SAR dogs. She rushes over to them with hackles raised, and looms over them. When they run and play, she runs after them snapping at their shoulders. When she is confronted by other dominant dogs she immediately submits. Her continuous barking at other SAR dogs while waiting in the car is improving with now very strong corrections, and a strong bark collar (my 5th one!) She is large, fearsome, and frightening to the other SAR dog owners and they are apprehensive about her with their dogs. It is difficult to correct her as all the dogs are loose in the field when these problems occur. She is always friendly to people...it is just dogs she tries to dominate. We are just finishing our 12th week of dog obedience classes (where she is always on her best behavior).
I would greatly appreciate ANY suggestions. I am just sick at the thought of having to give up the SAR work as she loves the work and I do too.
Thanks,
Barb
Cindy's Answer:
I am not a big fan of how most S&R groups operate. (i.e. teaching air scent work before tracking is a huge mistake.)
Allowing dogs to run in a pack is also a huge mistake.
In your case you need to keep your dog on lead- with a prong collar. Walk through the field and when the dog even looks at another dog correct her with a level 7 or 8 correction. The problem is the people in your group are clueless on this and will not understand. I can tell you that if you do not get a grip (and quickly) they will be asking you to leave because your dog is too aggressive.
You may have to work this dog with an electric collar. I am working on an article that will teach people how to train with a collar. There is NO good book on this. A big part of this will be how to deal with animal aggression.
Allowing dogs to run in a pack is also a huge mistake.
In your case you need to keep your dog on lead- with a prong collar. Walk through the field and when the dog even looks at another dog correct her with a level 7 or 8 correction. The problem is the people in your group are clueless on this and will not understand. I can tell you that if you do not get a grip (and quickly) they will be asking you to leave because your dog is too aggressive.
You may have to work this dog with an electric collar. I am working on an article that will teach people how to train with a collar. There is NO good book on this. A big part of this will be how to deal with animal aggression.
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