Hello, I'm new to the web board, a new home owner, and a proud parent of two 6 year old Boston Terrier boys I recently got from a Boston Terrier Rescue group. They are litter mates and the condition was that they go together. I thought taking them into my home was better than being two of the 7 that were in their previous home. I found this website through my search on aggressive dogs. My two boys are good with me and have learned to be good with people. They have only shown to bark at someone once when I first brought them home. Yes, they bark when they are napping on the couch and someone comes in the door but its mostly to see who is there. And believe me - their bark is so funny it wouldn't scare a fly.

My main problem with them is their aggressiveness towards other dogs. They tried lunging at a mini poodle, a pug, and a few bigger dogs that are in our family. They are the only dogs in my household. At one point in time they each latched onto my brothers rot and wouldn't let him go. Zues the rot just stood there looking around at us wondering what was going on. He didn't try to fight back. He didn't even provoke it. He was just walking in his own yard. My boys, Foster and Oliver, have tried lunging at my neighbors dogs (a great peranees and two hunting dogs) through the fence and once went completely nuts barking at them through the fence. I am trying to finish up my own fence. They have also been aggressive on walks. I've got them on a leashe so they can't just launch themselves.

I have read through some of the tactics on the website. They are not sleeping with me in bed. They have their own chair in my room and also their own crates downstairs. However, I need to know if I am doing things right. Oliver sits great but Foster won't sit right away. I tell him once and then make him sit. He has gotten much better since first coming home. I use a deep and firm voice when I tell them "off" so they get off the furniture or guests, and I have started some obediance with them. I have done the quick yank with a firm no when they have been aggressive on a walk. I have even grabbed them by the scruff and faced them towards me so they could look me in the eye. I have also flipped them over on the ground and held them down using a firm no when they have tried to lunge at the neighbor dogs from the outside of the fence. Things have settled down but we are not there yet. I try to hold each of them once a day while on their back and give them praise and good pets for being submissive. Any time they do something good I use a high pitched voice to tell them good job. However, Foster has cowered down a few times and went straight on his back offering his belly when he is being praised and when he thinks he is in trouble. He's done it twice when I've had to leave in the morning for work and am ready to put them in their room with their crates and babygate them in. Is this normal? Oliver has only done this once.

Also, is a prong collar something that should be used with such a small dog. (15 lbs) And are treats as a method of reward when working on obediance a bad thing? I just need to know if I'm on the right track or if I am going to have to pull my hair out here. My family is a big dog family and its important to know if my dogs will be able to interact with the other family dogs.

Thanks for any help,

Barb

 Quote:

......two 6 year old Boston Terrier boys I recently got from a Boston Terrier Rescue group. They are litter mates and the condition was that they go together. ..........My main problem with them is their aggressiveness towards other dogs. They tried lunging at a mini poodle, a pug, and a few bigger dogs that are in our family. ..... they each latched onto my brothers rot and wouldn't let him go. Zues the rot just stood there looking around at us wondering what was going on. .....

You have several questions.

Easiest first (IMO): If the dog is exposing his belly when he's being praised, I guess I would consider my praise voice to be faulty.... <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The "good" or "yes" voice is a pleased-sounding voice. High-pitched isn't exactly what I mean. Higher than a stern "No," I guess, but mainly a light and pleased-sounding "yes" voice.

The dog aggression: How come they were off-lead and able to grab the Rotty in his own yard? Regardless of size, a dog who is aggressive toward other dogs has to stop. Immediately. No hemming and hawing or negotiating. This is just as dangerous with small dogs as it is for big ones. I found this thread about it, and it has good advice, IMO, especially Mike Schoonbrood's post:
http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/showf...rue#Post4183959

and Cindy Easton Rhodes: QUOTE:My solution would be more leadership with your dog, controlling him with a long line or ecollar END

Sounds like some things are being approached OK, but I'd keep them off furniture, period. They don't need their own chair. I think maybe you'll get some good info from listening to podcasts and reading Ed's articles. I would also order a couple of videos.

These guys aren't going to stop their dog aggression until you make it happen. You must correct them, and you can't do it when they are off-lead around other dogs. I think that's a big mistake.

http://www.leerburg.com/dogtrainingpodcasts.htm

http://www.leerburg.com/groundwork.htm

http://www.leerburg.com/philosophy.htm

http://www.leerburg.com/qadogfight.htm

http://www.leerburg.com/dominantdogs.htm

http://www.leerburg.com/dominac2.htm

You can do this. You are the boss here, and you don't allow aggression! <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Thanks so much thanks so much! I'll be up all night reading! The day my darlings latched on to the Rot was the 2nd day I got them and they were on a lead. This is the first time I have had to deal with aggressive dogs. They are starting to listen but we are not there yet. And boy they don't like being told they can't sleep in bed with me. lol Go me and my assertiveness!!!!!

Anyone have any thoughts on using a prong collar? I'm really hesitant to use one because they are so small. But the regular collars aren't the best.

Thanks again!

Barb

They do make micro prong collars which work well for smaller dogs. They also sell them on this site. http://www.leerburg.com/prong.htm#micro

I use a small prong with my daughters 20 pound mini Eskie. Small dog, big attitude. He no longer tries to rip around in circles when we walk, and is a gentleman on lead. I just allowed him to self correct a few times, and he changed his behavior. He still loves me, so I guess the prong is not too harsh for a small dog.

My prong collars are on the way and I'm educating myself on how to use them and basic obedience. Thanks to everyone for their help! I'll keep you posted. Barb

All the good reading will help. And the prong collars. But I ALSO recommend taking the dogs out separately, because agressions tend to feed on each other in situations like this. And sometimes dogs will act very differently when they don't have 'backup' with their friend by their side.

I'd also recommend a good instructor for YOU so you can learn about your TIMING, praise, real corrections, TIMING, proper leash, properly sized collar, TIMING............... I've raised 3 practically perfect dogs, and when I get my next, I'm again off to DOG class so I learn fast and well and with less stress and confusion.

Thank you thank you thank you! I'm so glad I found this website! I've learned a lot and plan on educating myself more. I will definately take them out seperately.