Hi all I need some help please,

Ok quick run down first....
my pup is 4 1/2 months old doing well with basic obedience and he is in good health etc.
Here is the beginings of a problem maybe?
From the age of 8 weeks I have had him out walking meeting other people and dogs and all was going very well. He loves women, kids and men but he would piddle sometimes meeting new men. This seems to be dimminishing quickly.

Well for the last 2 weeks or so I have continued to socialize him (Daily) with adults and kids but have backed off on socializing with other dogs OTHER than my in-laws dogs (3 adults) who he is fine with.

So yesterday we went for a walk and saw plenty of people and 3 or 4 dogs, with the people he is friendly but not overly so he used to run up wagging and jumping now he is more subdued but still happy, now with dogs he is different. The 3 or 4 dogs he came close to (5-10 feet) he was barking, raised hackles and generally acting up. I gave him a pop on the leash and continued on without saying much to him. There was no growling or whimpering but what do you all think? Is this something he will get over naturally or do I need to get back to socializing the crap out of him?

The end goal with my pup is to be a companion for my wife and I, and maybe some protection training later if he seems cut out for it. I want my wife and I to be able to walk him in area's where there are other dogs around (where are they not around) without alot of fuss on his part.

So what would you all suggest? I read on some boards and in books that I need to rush out and see a dog shrink!!! Gimme a break I am orginally from Australia and back home we just push on and deal with it..so this any advice you can all provide would be great.

Thanks

Hayden

ps hope I posted this in the right spot! I dont really see it as dog-dog agression yet the guy is still a pup

ppss <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> The reason I backed off on the dog socialization was because of the risks of dog attacks.

While it is not necessary for your pup to LOVE meeting other dogs, you do need to immediately teach him not to show unnecessary aggression. "How?" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> you ask... Same way you teach him that any OTHER behavior is unacceptable: when he shows that unacceptable behavior, he gets corrected every time in a fair, consistent manner. So, if he acts up around another dog, correct him and then distract him from the dog. He will quickly learn what you expect of him.

You as the pack leader decide when and who the dog can show aggression too. That said now reality is once a dog is attacked it's natural reflexes is to strike first. This is hard to reverse. Dog aggression is a tricky issue. Good luck.

He hasnt been attacked so I guess right now it is not such a major problem, he had the incident we talked about (off leash parks) but was not actually touched or attacked in anyway. The reason I stopped going to this particlar place was to avoid a dog attack.

Now it seems after 3 weeks or so of NOT socializing with strange dogs he has developed a what? Fear? Unsureness? Aggression? I see your point about been the leader and teaching right from wrong which I do everyday but I dont see this as agression maybe I am wrong? Today he spent over an hour of rough and tumble with one of his in-laws dogs a 6Y/O male dog.

regards thanks for the tips

hayden

Hayden, the bottom line really is not whether it is aggression or not, but rather "is the behavior acceptable?" I don't want my dogs acting up out of fear or aggression around other dogs. I would prefer they are polite and just ignore the other dogs. So, I correct other behavior. And the end result is that they react as I have taught them is acceptable/expected. And you should establish this NOW, because he will almost surely go thru a dominant/aggressive/territorial stage anywhere between 5 and 12 months, where he is wanting to establish his "adult" status. If you wait til then, you may have a REAL aggression problem!

Yes, this is on-lead aggression, which is a fear aggression. Valkyrie is correct, though, that you must correct it. However, I would caution that you do NOT over correct, as it is SO easy to reinforce this particular behavior. Just give him a quick pop, and tell him "let's go" (or whatever phrase you want) in a neutral voice (very important to be neutral), as you keep walking, keeping the lead loose. The goal is to teach him to ignore other dogs. Do not focus too much attention on the situations as they occur. Again, quick pop, "let's go", keep walking, loose lead. For the time being, you might also consider keeping him at least 10 feet away (or whatever distance he can see other dogs without an aggressive reaction) from other dogs, and only gradually decrease the distance. If you have to cross the street, or walk the other way, that's fine, just do so in a neutral fashion, as if that other dog has nothing to do with your change in direction. Breaking the cycle (of on leash aggression) and eliminating the reward (adrenaline rush he gets when aggressing) will help modify his behavior.

Make sense?

That clears it up alot thanks <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I did "pop" him on the leash BUT didnt say anything I dont think....
I'll be sure to give him the pop and tell him to "go on" I've been using "go on" when I want him to get out in front of me or from under my feet.
thanks guys/gals
hayden

I agree with J Parker. Personally I dont think its as important to "socialize" a pup with other dogs as it is to teach him to "ignore" other dogs. The whole business of people letting dogs "meet" nose to nose is a face bite waiting to happen. Though Im sure you know that. This happening as a pup could do irrepairable damage. But thats neither here nor there. Stick with J Parkers advice.