After thorough soul searching, I have realized that I created a spoiled brat. She is a three year old dog, intact, who is wonderful with people. But, when she arrived, even at 13 weeks, her first thing was to run under my chair and growl when another dog came close. That seemed to stop for a long time. Now that she is mature though, she is in general intolerant of other dogs in her space. I have made steps to correct this- she is not allowed on furniture, and she is working for everything. But, she has serious discontent with the proximity (not all the time) of other dogs who are either simply milling around, or coming near her- now, this includes the cat. Her behavior, when they are not really close is to quiver, and turn her head. If she is particularly snarky, she will snap. Then there is the full on aggression, which occurs but much less since I have instituted the changes. What are some specific things that I should do? If I have to keep her away from the other dogs permanently, I can, but if I can get her to stop this animosity, her life would be much better, and so would mine, and the other dogs....

How many dogs do you have? Are they all allowed out together?

Also, please describe the "animosity" and "full on aggression" exactly, including distance, what the dog does, whether the target dog is known or unknown, what you do ...

Hi
I have four dogs. Yes, under supervision they are out together, and that's the one place where I don't see trouble. Animosity, meaning extreme dislike, but what I am going on is what I observe. Hostility- hackles raised. Full on aggression is just that- going after another dog, and having to separate. What I do when that happens is calmly separate the dogs, and put the dogs in a down. It appears it is all over in their eyes when it's over. The target dogs are known. I believe she is extremely insecure, and some how, I fostered that. I need to know what I can do to get her to be comfortable that she needn't protect herself from things that should not be an issue.

She is a relatively soft dog, so correcting goes a long way.

If they are under supervision (and you don't see trouble), how are they going after other dogs? I'm a bit confused about what you do when the dogs are out. And if you see warning signs, why do you not step in then?

As a first thought - stop letting all the dogs out together. Is it all the dogs that do this, or just the one? If so, don't let her out with the other dogs. "crate and rotate" (I just love rhyming sayings)

Even when she's out alone, keep her tethered to you. She needs to learn that what you do sets the tone, you control things, and she needs to learn to look to you. Tethering will help this.

I would start with those 2 things. Do you do NILIF, groundwork, marker training, any of those things? How much exercise do the dogs get?

The trouble is inside, in close quarters- say, the snarky one meets another, and boom- game on. Then, once recently, I had them all sit for a treat, I left the room, and boom, she went after another dog. They all spread out outside (it's a big yard) and in fact, she plays with a couple of my dogs. I am loathe to tether her to me, because that's pretty much what she wants- to be by my side, and not let anyone else there. I would like distance from her until things get re-set in her mind.

Ground work- yes, as pups, all my dogs are afforded this training. All the dogs get play sessions daily, and this one works sheep.

I wonder if I video-taped her behaviour- the slightly snarky stuff, not the aggression, if that would help?

Okay, update, just because I thought this was very telling. Dog used to be allowed to hang out under my chair- but then took it a step further and growled at anyone coming near. So, she is no longer allowed there- she recently thought that if not there, then adjacent to this. Well, I made her move- she went straight into a crate and stayed there. Then, I brought the dogs into the living room, had them down stay for a treat. The dog who she most targets was invited, and put in a down stay- she (the snarky one) wanted no part of being near that dog- in fact, she jumped up on the couch to avoid her- it looks as if SHE is afraid of this dog. I got her off. When the treats were gone, each other dog left purposefully, as if they had an inkling that this snarky dog would let loose. Clear as a bell to me things are much worse than I was realizing.

 Quote: Julie A Williams

The trouble is inside, in close quarters- say, the snarky one meets another, and boom- game on.

Don't do this. Separate them - I mean actually separate them - so that they don't meet in close quarters.

Do they all have crates?

 Quote: Julie A Williams

Then, once recently, I had them all sit for a treat, I left the room, and boom, she went after another dog.

Treats can be high value. Don't feed them, and don't treat them together, and ESPECIALLY don't give them food and leave the room. You shouldn't be leaving them alone together sans food, and especially not with it in play. My dogs get along and I wouldn't leave them alone with food.

 Quote: Julie A Williams

I am loathe to tether her to me, because that's pretty much what she wants- to be by my side, and not let anyone else there.

I'm suggesting you have her out on her own, i.e., no other dogs, and tether her then. She needs to learn you set the rules, and you control situations, not her.

 Quote: Julie A Williams

The dog who she most targets was invited, and put in a down stay- she (the snarky one) wanted no part of being near that dog- in fact, she jumped up on the couch to avoid her- it looks as if SHE is afraid of this dog. I got her off. When the treats were gone, each other dog left purposefully, as if they had an inkling that this snarky dog would let loose. Clear as a bell to me things are much worse than I was realizing.

This behaviour may very well be fear-based. And if it is, it's all the more reason why she needs to learn that you control all situations, so that she can trust in that and in your leadership and know that you will handle things, and she doesn't have to try to.

ALL of your dogs should trust that you will keep them safe.

hi jenn
just one clarification- the treats were gone (they were kibble sized) when I left the room.