After dealing with the simple but conclusive fact that I happen to be the proud owner of a dominate animal-aggressive dog, and after trying all things without advancement in the socializing end of things...I can use some help. I have come to the reality that my female 7 yr old needs my assitance more than ever. I have begun to question her further existance. Please, let me here from those that love 'that darn dog' so much that you fear the worse may come some day and your not sure what to do...

She is a great dog. You know the story. Or at least you know most of it. I want to talk about where I am now. I am absolutely in need of socializing advice from those who own aggressive do on dog, and other animal, owners. I have received various advice in the past from other dog specialists but they really aren't what I need.

My dog, Jackie, was a pound puppy. GS, Black Lab, and Chow mix, they say. I took her in at four months. She is seven now. Within the first week of her new home she made it out, crossed the street trying to visit the next door dogs who were barking, and on the return route, was struck by a car. Her front paws have pins. I never had the chance to learn how well she liked other dogs. She just never has from this day on.

She, also to this day, tries to be top dog. She never has stopped trying. I handle food 2X daily. I put it down and pull it away. I make her 'wait' before I go first. She sleeps in one spot on the floor on her blanket. She has one toy. She receives treats on special days for special commands. She gets plenty of run time, with just me. She walks perfect on a leash with humans around only. She gets plenty of good ole doggy time with petting kept in check. She knows commands as long as no other dog, or animal, is near. She is bright and loves to please when focussed.

All living critters are 'dead meat'. She dislikes them all. Has attacked a cat in the past. (It lived.) Kills birds. She is never left to roam free, for abvious reasons. Etc. Her safe zone is about 4 blocks away. Even then she becomes nervous.

People keep saying to me that I need to socialize her. Well who wants to put there dog on loan!!! I have no idea how I would socialize her. She has been around dogs in the past when I have been on her butt the whole time and done somewhat ok.

I want her to lighten up a bit so that she can be around dogs. Is this possible at this point? I have two months to figure this out. I will be moving to a place that has other dogs and kids. I WILL NOT risk a dog battle with children around.
I am not stupid.

Any and all ideas will be helpful. I want to find a way to help her so that she can at least be with me. I am hoping not to put her down. I can't believe I can even say that but what can I do to keep her safe as well as others??

Thank you for your reply.

What exactly does she do if she is on leash with you and she sees another dog? What then have you done in return?

I am just not understanding how you have had the dog this long and not worked on this issue. Ed has some great articles on dealing with animal on animal aggression on this site, have you read them?

I have a dog that is dog aggressive, aside from a few quirky moments he is manageable through FIRM obedience.

Firstly, welcome aboard.

Now to the point. What happened during the time between 4 months and 7 years? I'm not trying to sound like a jerk and I really mean no dis-respect but just now you realize it's time to socialize? Maybe I've missed something along the line somewhere. It seems like there is more missing from the story.

I think I understand what you both are asking me. I am sorry that I can't go into absolute detail right now. Seven years is seven years. I will try to explain:

When she was young, and once she healed from her her car accident, I would walk her each morning and evening. I jogged and biked a lot so her daily outings were constant and happy when no other animals were in the area. While walking her as a pup I noticed that each time she passed another dog she would bare teeth/ growl. I would redirect, frimly. Or, turn direction. Or both. Or, when I could back up away from the dog until a 'relaxed' distance was met, FAR, and try again with good girl voice, etc. Each day became months. Today, she can walk pass on command ONLY, FIRM command, and stay at my side. If she was off her lead, which is my worry here, she would right there charge the dog, or other animal down. The early times that she was approaching other dogs with full aggressiveness showing, I would command her and she would give into my commands. But, under no instance while on lead would she accept a sniff, vice versa, without intense aggressive posturing. Was I wrong to alow her to go further? How would I answer that? Would you let someone else's dog pound yours into the ground in front of you when signals are saying no way? Hard to say what else I would have done. I worked on the walks for her first 3 years. We would take breaks from heavy traffic areas and balance training with walk contacts. She would challange them all. I would need to redirect her unless I was to let her bite another dog. I love to walk with her, don't think I don't. But, now, I walk at dusk or early a.m. where dog contact is minimal and generally more positive for us both.

There have been a few dogs that have come into her space in the yard during the years that she has again forcfully attacked then bullied until I or was someone was able to go out and separate the pair, or more. All of this when no person was around and when I was close by commanding.

I love this dog. She works well with me. I guess that I am wondering how others cope with an aggressive dog in the later years.

Quote: "I have a dog that is dog aggressive, aside from a few quirky moments he is manageable through FIRM obedience."

I understand. I can command her when she is by me but not when she is close to other animals. I jus can't. This is not the norm. I have had other dogs and never had this problem. I have also never come accross this problem before. That is why I am asking these questions here.

People have offered advice. All kinds. She does great at obidience classes, while on lead, while foccued on me. If left stray, she would pounce the entire class. She is a tough little critter and I wish that she would find some way to relax around other dogs. She just can't. I have taken her to three so called Dog Behavior Specialists.
Each one gave me a different point of view. All methods were tried. I am greatful that we are as far as we are. But, I still can't trust her. That is my worry. If she is not tied to my hip I can't stop her. Her behavior towards another dog/animal frustrates her as well.

Each day is still a trying day. Some better than others. I am sorry if this seems had to understand. I am being honest.

I have a dog aggressive dog, too. She's a herding mix, and while extremely submissive with humans, always feels the need to be Queen B with other dogs. This has resulted in several fights, resulting in puncture wounds on her head and neck.
On lead, she is a great little walking companion, very alert and happy to be walking, but when she sees another dog coming, she goes into the "herding stance/stare posture" that BCs and Aussies are known for, and when they get closer, she goes berserk.
I, too, have tried *everything* in the five years that I have had her. I mean, EVERYTHING!!!!! Has she changed? Not one bit.
I don't know what sage advice I can give, other than that since your dog does well when you are in clear control of the situation, then that's what you need to continue doing. Any time you try to "socialize" her, and it ends in aggression, you are just reinforcing her animal aggression, no matter how you respond or what you do, because you are putting her in the situation in the first place. You need to always be in control, for the rest of her life. Any time you cannot be there to control her, she should be contained in an escape proof situation. When you have her on lead, it should be clipped to a slip-proof collar.
Not all of these kinds of things are a result of bad handling. Sometimes it is genetic, and sometimes it is from a previous traumatic experience. In my case, I don't know why my bitch has this problem, but I do know that it's not anything I ever did.

I am agreeing with L Swanston here. You know your dog doesn't play well with others. Simply put it is your responisbility to keep her under your control at all times. At this age it isn't going to change, I doubt it will even as she is old, deaf, and blind.

If it can be controlled on lead, that is your answer. Sorry there is no majic elixer that will make your dog a happy-go-lucky labrador that can play with any dog anytime. Not gonna happen.

I will never be able to take my dog to a dog park. I understand this and don't care. He is part of my pack, no reason to go off subjecting him to other packs of dogs. I have another dog that is female and they are able to get along because she will submit to most any dog. Unfortunately this could be from any number of things. It could have been a bad experience, it could be genetic, it could be from you unknowingly reinforcing the behavior by praising her in attempts to calm her. From the sounds of things you have tried.

I guess the euthanasia question comes down to you. Are you willing to be responsible? If not, then you know what you have to do. This isn't something you haven't known about, and if she is indeed dangerous, which it sounds like she is, you have to protect her and other animals by whatever means necessary. Even if that means the blue needle. It is really in your court.

I agree. No magic remedy for this at this stage of the game. You can try pro-active things like obedience(that never hurts), but I can't see this dog all of a sudden becoming accepting of other dogs, no matter what you do. Sometimes all we can do is just accept the hand we are dealt. Enjoy the companionship of your dog, just keep her away from other dogs.

My dog is also slightly dog agressive especially on lead. He has been well socialized with other dogs from a very young age, starting with puppy kindergarten. He has had doggy friends and playdates in the past and for about 2 years I took him to a dog park. Looking back at his behaviour now I realize that he exhibited signs of being a "top dog" from a fairly early age. He will not tolerate any B.S. with other dogs. He is usually better at meeting dogs of the opposite sex if he is meeting another dog on leash.
I try to keep walking when he's on lead but so many people use flexis now or their dogs are forging it's often difficult to completely avoid an encounter. I use a "no sniff" or "leave it" command and he has excellent leash manners. Sometimes in the summer when there are a lot of dogs being walked where I usually walk I'll put his Martingale slip-chain on him.
He is very picky about his friends and I remember when we used to go to the dog park he wouldn't play like the other dogs, but rather sniff and patrol. When a new dog came in he would join the mob and run the dog down and nip him in the behind or the back leg. I then had to call him over to me when a new dog was entering. Once in a while he'd meet a dog he seemed to really like (usually much bigger than him) and played very well. He played quite rough and it was always safer for him to play with bigger dogs. I also learned that having 2 dogs play together is much better than 3 or more. It get too pack like and the dogs get too excitable. I quit the dog park. 30 dogs at a time is way too much. They wouldn't limit the numbers.

My dog's mother was top dog in her house. All intact males and females and I think there were 7 in the house together. Therefore, I believe it is, in his case genetic.

Thanks for your replies. I am greatful that she is a good companion for me.

I am still hoping to hear from others who have found means to deal with their aggressive buddies as they age. Perhaps there is yet something else that I can try.

(As I type, my Jackie stares out the window trying to control herself as my neighbor walks her deliciously looking toy poodle named Duke...time to redirect!!!)