My 1 1/2 year old female mix is showing on-leash aggression when other dogs come near her. She has always been an open and playful puppy, wanting to play and greet other dogs until just recently. Now, when another dog comes near when she is on her leash (the other dog usually is too)she may allow them to approach and check each other out, but then she lunges at them or tries to jump them. Is there a correction for this, or is this normal behavior and something that I will need to deal with? I know that some approaches by other dogs can be considered "rude" and they will react in a hostile manner as a result, but these dogs seem to be doing what she would do to them. In fact, sometimes she is the one trying to greet the other dog, then goes on the "attack". I worry that her naturally social nature is gone, replaced by an increasingly more aggressive one. She visits a dog park nearly every day and plays very well with the dogs there, but on-leash away from the park she becomes wary . Any suggestions?

Kimberly,

This is quite a common behavior for most dogs on a leash and it usually manifests itself at around your dog’s age. You should never allow your dog to socialize with another dog when on a leash, it not only is unadvisable, but can become dangerous when leashes become tangled and the dogs cannot be separated, in which case you are guaranteed a major dog fight. Dogs become more aggressive on leash because there is no avenue for escape, as opposed to when they are off leash in the park. Some dogs who are usually timid and submissive around other dogs may feel bolder because of your proximity. A lot of pet owners believe that the dog acts aggressively because it is “protecting” them. If that’s what they want to believe, it’s their business.

Try to stay away from other leashed dogs when walking on a street. Any “outburst” of aggression should be corrected with whatever method of correction you feel comfortable with. Ideally, your dog should not be paying attention to other dogs on the street. This should in no way affect her social nature.

Renee: Thanks alot for your advice. I will make sure from now on to watch her on-leash. I am glad to know that this is not unusual.

I have a 3 year old male Doberman who is dog-aggressive on leash. Has anyone here heard of the "with me" command? I went to a Terri Arnold seminar and she says that all dogs must be taught to stay with their owners on leash or off no matter what until they are relased. This is ALL THE TIME. Basically, the way to teach this is when the dog leaves, you let him go an arms lenghth away, pinch his butt/pop prong collar, and then when he turns around back up quickly, smiling and praising him for coming back to you. Eventually the dog learns to never leave your "circle of comfort" for any reason, including other dogs walking by. That is a very simplified explanation but you get the picture. Anyway getting back to the dog aggression.....I have done this when he got distracted by a dog coming towards us and left the "safe zone" around me and since he was feeling aggressive towards the other dog when I pinched his butt he spun around and growled at me. I have been told now that I have way more dog than I can handle and he thinks he is the leader. I have to disagree. I have never had any other dominance issues with him like object guarding or not letting me touch him anywhere or not getting off the bed when I tell him to. It is only when he is feeling aggressive towards something else that he has directed it at me, which of course I don't like but I hardly think it makes him a dangerous dog. Everyone tells me he is the sweetest dog they have ever met, and he has converted quite a few "doberman haters" with his extremely friendly, goofy personality. I have been told that I have to respond to his aggression with even more aggression so that he will get the message that he is to NEVER DO THAT AGAIN. I have tried that. On more that one occaision when he has tried to lunge at another dog I have lifted him off the ground by his scruff and in my most no-nonsense voice told him that he had better not do that again or I would kick his ass (of course I wouldn't actually do that). This has not worked. Is it possible that a more positive approach would be more successful? Any suggestions/comments anyone?

Kimberly, the dog park is the mistake; BAD IDEA. There's so many negative influences other "strange" dogs can have on yours if you let them run loose together. I guarantee you that's where she's learned this behavior.

Mike: Thanks for your thought. I know that there are differing opinions on dog parks, and I go back and forth about whether a dog park is the best place for her (she loves it). What I wonder is: if socializing a dog is important where is it to be done? I live in a town with city lots, not alot of running space between yards. The obedience classes I've taken our dog to have "free time" and I'm always asked if the dog is socialized to other dogs. What is considered the best way to socialize a dog? Any thoughts?

In my mind, socialization means repeated positive experiences. I would suggest that you plan one on one "play dates" with others who have nice, well socialized dogs. This way, the situation is under control and any inappropriate behavior can be stopped.

A couple of other thoughts too, it is quite possible to teach your dog to accept another dog approaching while she is on leash. It takes a lot of work and a lot of time, and I think many people see it as unneccessary or are too busy to do it. It involves setting up training situations with other dog owners several times per week, and using a systematic approach, the dogs learn to approach one another on leash and do controlled and civil butt sniffs with one another.

I have an older bitch with on leash aggression issues, and in the seven years I have had her, I have tried the gamut of remedies for this (including "level 20" prong collar corrections), but have had the most success using, of all things, clicker training, believe it or not. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Seriously. If you're interested in knowing more about this, send me a private message.

No problem. I remember reading about the dog parks in an article from this site some time ago. Here's a link, http://www.leerburg.com/dogparks.htm

To properly socialize dogs, they don't necessarily have to play together, but just be near one another. Think about a schutzhund club environment. All the dogs are aware of each others' presence, but are never close enough to make contact or to do "dog things". They become comfortable being near one another, and that's really all you should worry about. Too much contact and she'll become TOO dog social and develop a lot of unwanted dog habits. She should have the most contact with humans, especially you and your family(all the members of her pack). I would channel all of her playful energy over towards you, to strengthen the bond.

 Quote:

Originally posted by Jen Hopkins:
since he was feeling aggressive towards the other dog when I pinched his butt he spun around and growled at me. I have been told now that I have way more dog than I can handle and he thinks he is the leader. I have to disagree.

I also have to disagree, based on what you wrote. The fact that the dog only growled at you and didn’t bite is a good sign, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he bit. If you read articles on this board on how to break up dog fights, you’ll see that even the most loyal and wonderful dog will bite when fully engaged in a fight or “loaded”. You don’t even need to pinch his butt, just touching any part of his body is enough. When the dog is loaded his brain goes out of the window and he will snap at anything or anyone.

“I have been told that I have to respond to his aggression with even more aggression so that he will get the message that he is to NEVER DO THAT AGAIN. I have tried that. On more that one occaision when he has tried to lunge at another dog I have lifted him off the ground by his scruff and in my most no-nonsense voice told him that he had better not do that again or I would kick his ass (of course I wouldn't actually do that). This has not worked.”

The way to deal with this is not to respond with aggression, on the contrary, you should be as calm as possible. The trick is in the timing. If the dog lunged, he is already “loaded” and it’s too late to teach him anything. So it’s not surprising that it didn’t work. You may have to set up situations with another dog on leash and start from a distance. Watch your dog’s body language as you approach the other dog. When he as much as pays attention to the other dog, give him “heel” command (or whatever command you want to keep his attention on you) and change direction. If he complies, praise and treat. If he doesn’t, immediately, wrap the end of the leash firmly around your wrist and run in the opposite direction. He will self-correct (I prefer to use pinch collar). When he’s back at your heel, praise and treat. Repeat as often as necessary. The final goal is for the dog to look at you when he sees another dog, cuz he never knows which way you decide to go :rolleyes: . It’s not exactly motivational, but it works.

Or you can try Lisa's "secret clicker recipe" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> .