My newly adopted male Husky/Pit mix has started showing some dominance aggression with some other dogs - on leash and off. It's been pretty mild compared to some of the stories on here, but a recent unprovoked and sudden open-mouthed lunge (off leash) at a passing female's hind leg particularly worried us.

I realize that he's still learning his new pack hierarchy, and I probably shouldn't have had him off leash yet. We're also going to start obedience training classes shortly after he recovers from being neutered. I also know with his bloodlines that it's going to be a slow, challenging process.

My question at the moment though, is how to start socializing him with other dogs. I've been told that I shouldn't do much on-leash socialization at first because it can be stressful and it's not a good gauge of his true intentions. On the other hand, I've been told I'd be crazy to let him off leash around other dogs until I've had him longer, he's more secure with his "rank", etc. Still, most people seem to agree that we should try to socialize him (safely) as much as possible. So what do you suggest?

Thanks for the help!

JMO, I'd probably hold off on all socialization until he settles in, recovers from surgery, and (most importantly) learns his place in your family and what is expected of him. This is the most important thing he needs to work on right now and establishing a good, solid foundation with him first can only help when you tackle the dog aggression later on.

For dogs that are already settled, but need social skills, I take them for walks at the local county park. It's a large area that has a small dog park and where other people walk their dogs for exercise. All dogs are on leash per county ordinance so theres no loose dogs but you have to watch for the retractable leash crowd.

It's a good place to have your dog exposed to others without worrying about them being accosted by loose dogs. As the handler, I decide how close my dog will get to others. Any aggression is corrected on the spot. If my dog is being good then I will allow them to get close enough to smell the other dog but no contact is allowed. So far it's working out well. I've been going there for a few years and I use the place to work with clients' dogs.

Howard

Howard,
Can you describe the appropriate correction that doesn't make the dog in training more aggressive? That is where I have trouble and have gotten conflicting information from different trainers.

I hope my question makes sense.

Lisa

Hi Lisa,

The dog dictates how I correct. If its just a longer than casual look, then I'll give a verbal correction. If no response, the dog gets touched to break the eye contact. If he starts pulling in that direction, I give a leash correction whilst changing direction myself. teaches the dog to always be aware of where I am at and what I'm doing.

If the dog displays aggressive body language, I give a leash correction that he will respect, and I make sure he changes his focus to something else. Depending on the dog (and I learned the hard way) I may, or may not use a pinch. Normally if the problem is fairly deep seated I use the dominant dog collar, its very effective.

I'm talking about working with dog aggressive dogs only. Those that have already demonstrated that they are going to be a problem. Hope this helps.

Howard

I used to have a rescue GSD that was dog aggressive. She got more aggressive after a run in with two off leash dogs and never really got over it.

I just like hearing from a trainer who specifically works with dog aggressive dogs. I wish I was in your neck of the woods when I lived in Florida!

Thanks for the information, Howard.
Lisa

Right now I wish I was up your way. Heat index here today is 105 deg with very high humidity.

Thank goodness for swimming pools and air conditioning!

Thanks for the tips!

Howard - from what you've said, it sounds like we're doing the right things. I haven't taken him to a park since my first message (and it's only been 4 days since his surgery), but when we come across other dogs on our walks, I pretty much follow the steps you mentioned. He's still learning to respond to his name/my voice, and gets easily distracted. I often have to stand in front of him to get him to make eye contact and sit on command. Of course, the Elizabethan collar probably doesn't help in this regard.

So can I assume you think on-leash socialization is OK? I spoke to a very experienced trainer briefly on the phone, and she said if I tried to socialize him on-leash, I could end up with on-leash aggression problems, since they sometimes feel more vulnerable when constrained. That was the reason for my original post - I felt like I was damned if I did, and damned if I didn't!

Hi Eric,

My reply is in a PM. I didn't realize you had it posted on the open forum as well.

Howard