Hi everyone,

Once again I need your help. As some of you know my male Dobe is close to 2.5 years old now. He's a very social dog, likes the people he knows. Well he's been displaying behavior that I think is dominance. I guess I better start from the beginning.

Pretty much all of our friends have dogs. Whenever someone comes for a visit they always bring their dogs. My dog always liked to play with other dogs, no problems there. Well yesterday my friend came over with her 2 year old GSD (male)that my dog know very well and always plays with and he was acting a little different than usual.

He ran up to my friend's car like he always does to greet them. When her dog jumped out of the car my dog went up to him very stiff, high on his toes, tail and ears up in the air, sniffed the other dog and put his neck up on the other dog's neck. The other dog I guess wanted to play and off they went playing.

Now, they were playing for a while and then they went to drink some water. After my friend's dog was finished drinking my dog did that same neck thing. The other dog just started running in a playfull matter. After a little while the other dog tried to do that neck thing with my dog and my dog just freaked on him. The dog lied down and my dog backed off. I called him I put him in a down and stay and gave him time out for about 20 minutes. After that I let them play again and they were playing good for a while. Then my dog put his neck on the other dog's neck once again and the other dog got kinda mad and started growling and my dog freaked on him again.

Now how do I keep this under control. I don't want to keep him locked up when people come over with dogs because he will get even worse if he's not socialized. But then again I don't want him terrorizing other dogs that come over. I don't want dog fights PERIOD. He's fine towards females. And he doesn't just go and attack another dog its not like that. He just tries to dominate and only if the other dog resists then he goes into fight mode. How do I handle this correctly and how do I control this behavior?

Thanks a bunch

Your dog is not a puppy anymore and was asserting his dominance on an dog that is not of his family group. It is hard to get two same sex dogs to live together in the same house friction free and expecting it of strange dogs is not very realistic. Past a certain age you can't expect all dogs, especially males to "play" cause somebody is going to want to be top dog and you are lucky the other dog backed down and you were able to call your dog off. You could have had a big nasty dog fight on your hands. I would crate or put your dog in a down if you have to have canine visitors and expect the visitors to do the same and all interaction would be on leash. I would not let a fight happen so he never knows it's a possibility. It can be easy for play to escalate into a fight under some conditions especially if both dogs are a bit dominant.

I have a 5 month GSD male (good working lines), am debating whether I should take him to meet my friends dominant GSD (1.5 year old), who is somewhat poorly trained in obedience. The last encounter at 3 months of age had to be aborted because my friend's GSD started to bark aggressively and lunge towards my GSD. Fortunately, my friend's GSD was leashed and nothing happened.

I guess saner opinion would say that I should not go ahead with this but my pup is now bigger.

Originally posted by tiggy2:
all interaction would be on leash. Key statement.

czechgsd,

You lucked out the first time, why push your luck? Your dog is just a pup at 5 months and if attacked it could leave a negative lasting impression on your dog's nerves, besides possibly being seriously hurt. Why chance it? I would not.

No kidding? Dominate male dog is starting shiznit with strange males entering his territory?

You could PRONG THE HELL OUTA THAT DOG! he he

Or, don't let him "play" (read as contesting strength and determining pack order) with other dogs that come to your house. Especially not with dogs that come over to your house. Territory will add to the problem.

Czechgsd,

I agree with Chuck. Why take chances? To subject your pup to a poorly obedience trained dog and hope that maybe because you pup is now bigger that it will all work out??? I'm all for socializing my pup but only with other dogs who are likewise social.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Czechgsd,

I agreed your bigger puppy will present a bigger challenge and this may cause a real fight. You don't want to risk a dog fight between a puppy and nearly mature dog. Your pup may loose his/her life. These bragging rights for dominance can turn into pretty mean fights. Play it safe, you interact with his dog and he yours.

The dogs don't need to play together unless they are both leashed and you are practicing Ob, with distractions. Then the proper corrections can be given that may help promote socailzation between them and other dogs.

Danielle, welcome to the club of dog agressive/dominant dog ownership. I have a 2 1/2 yr old male gsd who has decided he needs to rule the dog world. He was extremely well socialized from 12 weeks on, but now, when faced with another male dog that does not submit or, worse yet, tries to dominate him, we have a problem. When with me he will tolerate other dogs to a point - right up until they try to drink from his water bowl or physically challenge him. needless to say, any off lead interaction is well supervised and at the first sign of a possible confrontation/problem - play time is over. Not a lot of fun, but much better than a fight.

Danielle, my dog also has displayed this type of behaviour. He was altered at 6 months and has always been like this. He's a standard poodle. Who would have thought they could be dominant/aggressive at times? Not I. My saving grace is that he has excellent obedience, is reliable in all kinds of situations and I have really good verbal control over him if he gets a little snippy. Here are a few tips I've learned over the years, they may help.
1. It is unfair to expect any dog to always play fair on his territory. It's HIS.
2. Possessive dogs should not have toys available with a visitor. Also, 2 or more water bowls are good.
3. Only 1 visitor or playmate at a time is best.
4. Off leash introductions are best (with my dog anyways, you judge for yourself)
5. Time-outs are very necessary. Each dog needs a break from the other.
6. Each dog is an individual. Not all males will be bad partners for your dog, not all females will be good partners.
7. Don't be afraid to say "NO, you can't bring your dog" and explain the reason why. Better 2 healthy dogs then a trip to the Emergency Clinic. The reverse is also true. Don't impose your dog on others if they aren't a good match.
8. 100 % SUPERVISION.

I've found that it's nice for your dog to have friends. But I have also been realistic regarding my dog's attitude towards some other dogs. Incidentally my 48lb. poodle had a great friend in an 85lb doberman. They came to an "understanding" and did well together. By following some of these simple steps your dog could still enjoy canine companionship.