How do you know the difference between fear based aggression and just aggression? My rott will see a hobo/parking attendant on the other side of the street and start growling and jumping up and down and wanting to get to him. I find it even worse when we're running because as soon as he sees someone in front thats going in the same direction, ie not posing any threat, he starts pulling towards them whilst growling and going mad.

The other day a man came up and wanted to say hi and as soon as he'd touched him and moved back, think this could have started him, my dog just jumped up and let out a serious growl and attempt at the face. He's definitly nervey as he gets a big fright whenever he knocks something over at home but he's perfect with all my friends and guests at home. We have dinner parties with kids, parents etc and no problems ever. He'll go mad at the post man and most people walking by but the serious aggression generally happens on walks.

How can I tell what type of aggression this is and how can I stop it?

A little more information:

 Quote: craig brown

... The other day a man came up and wanted to say hi and as soon as he'd touched him and moved back .... my dog just jumped up and let out a serious growl and attempt at the face. ....

How is your pack structure/leadership?

What does "touched him" mean?

 Quote: craig brown

I find it even worse when we're running because as soon as he sees someone in front thats going in the same direction, ie not posing any threat, he starts pulling towards them whilst growling and going mad.

What do you do when this happens?

This is an adult or a puppy? Is it new behavior?


http://leerburg.com/fear_aggression.htm

http://leerburg.com/dominance.htm

Touched means putting his hand on his head like patting him.

I try really hard to slow down his momentum and then give him a correction but haven't been using the pinch lately so naturally its not painful.

He's nearly 2 now and it has been on going for quite sometime. Should I correct the cr@p out of him for this or what?

I'm still not sure if it's fear based or not...

Craig,
I doubt that any one here can definitively tell you one way or the the other if your dogs agression is fear based or not. We could ask questions and you could answer til we're all blue in the face, and still not get the diagnosis correct. It is that much of a must be there and must see kind of thing. There is so much more going on that average person misses in body language. Doing anything but advising an owner to seek out a pro trainer that knows and works agressive dogs is bad advise.

That being said, if I was having the problem you described, I would back up my training way back to maybe the very first steps. Work that ob. Do the NILIF. Start reinforcing the pack structure. Sloooowllly introduct distractions. You need him to center his entire world around you. Nothing else counts.

What kind of training has been done with the dog? What methods?

If my dog isn't learning, I'm doing something wrong.
Randy

PS.
And if I had a dog that sharp with unknowns, he would not be loose in the house or yard with guests of any sort were around. I think you're just asking for trouble.

 Quote: randy allen

Craig,
I doubt that any one here can definitively tell you one way or the the other if your dogs agression is fear based or not. We could ask questions and you could answer til we're all blue in the face, and still not get the diagnosis correct. It is that much of a must be there and must see kind of thing. There is so much more going on that average person misses in body language. Doing anything but advising an owner to seek out a pro trainer that knows and works agressive dogs is bad advise.

That being said, if I was having the problem you described, I would back up my training way back to maybe the very first steps. Work that ob. Do the NILIF. Start reinforcing the pack structure. Sloooowllly introduct distractions. You need him to center his entire world around you. Nothing else counts.

What kind of training has been done with the dog? What methods?

If my dog isn't learning, I'm doing something wrong.
Randy

PS.
And if I had a dog that sharp with unknowns, he would not be loose in the house or yard with guests of any sort were around. I think you're just asking for trouble.

Randy - that was a *perfect* reply.
Nothing else basically needs to be said on the matter, just follow Randy's first rate advice!

Thanks for the advice. The funny thing is he's almost too friendly when friends come over as he will basically lie down next to them and irritate them for attention.

I would actually like to get someone in a bite suit to see if he'll actually bite or if he's too scared/fearful. He's never growled at any of my family and I can basically take his bone away without a problem. He'll jump up on us but I'm not phased with that and if I am then a down will get him off.

It just worries me why he's so aggressive when in the road. I think it might be fear but is it possible for him to see the car guard on the other side of the road sitting down as a threat? Or a person on the other side of the road walking away from us as a threat too? He's the friendliest boy at home to us but a real menace to others when walking him.

Do you think I should just adopt a no petting policy now for anyone outside of our house? What signs most indicate fear vs aggression? I think he could be racist as he seems to target darker people more. If it is fear is it acceptable to correct of aggression or is this just making it worse?

Self edited out.


Randy

hmmmm?

Craig,
I'm going to say this as both a Moderator and as someone trying to give you good advice:

Not only is it hard to discuss/interpret aggression issues over the internet, but we have the added problem with you living in a country with a very different culture ( and laws ) then most of the posters here.
I hate to say this, but this discussion is going to get you nowhere.

I highly suggest to find the best quality trainer that you can find in your local area and have him see your dog's actions first hand.