November 30, 2011
My 3 year old male is aggressive with other males only when I am around. Am I doing something wrong?
Full Question:
My 3 year old neutered doberman is aggressive with other males only when I am around. I walk him on a leash at all times, and he does not lunge at other males, but if they approach, he will attack. Unfortunately, I live in an area where numbers of people walk their dogs off-leash. If another dog approaches, I make my dog sit next to me and call out to the other dog owner that my dog is not friendly, but people don't always listen. My dog walker and the kennel where he is sometimes boarded report that he does not behave aggressively to other males when he is with them. My dog is fine with female dogs and people. Am I doing something wrong? 
Cindy's Answer:
Since the dog only does this with you, I would say you may be transmitting some tension and fear to the dog which is instigating his behavior.
If you are holding tension in your body and keeping the leash tight, you are sending the signal to the dog that you are worried/fearful, etc.
One of the ways trainers intentionally build aggression in dogs (like police dogs) consists of the handler holding the dog on a very tight leash and being very alert and tense. Many people do this subconsciously and it sends the dog a powerful signal to be looking out for a fight.
I would work on giving your dog a default behavior that requires him to focus on you without tension on the leash or in your body, I ask my dogs for a sit or down with eye contact.
If you haven’t ever used marker training I would highly recommend it. I would read our article on training dogs with Markers.
Concentrate on your breathing too, don’t hold your breath!
I hope this helps.
Cindy Rhodes
If you are holding tension in your body and keeping the leash tight, you are sending the signal to the dog that you are worried/fearful, etc.
One of the ways trainers intentionally build aggression in dogs (like police dogs) consists of the handler holding the dog on a very tight leash and being very alert and tense. Many people do this subconsciously and it sends the dog a powerful signal to be looking out for a fight.
I would work on giving your dog a default behavior that requires him to focus on you without tension on the leash or in your body, I ask my dogs for a sit or down with eye contact.
If you haven’t ever used marker training I would highly recommend it. I would read our article on training dogs with Markers.
Concentrate on your breathing too, don’t hold your breath!
I hope this helps.
Cindy Rhodes
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