Dog aggression, is it treatable??

the mama · 01-14-2008, 09:22 PM

My best darling friend, Lucy, is an 8-year-old shepherd mix (she's in my signature pic). She's about knee-high, and 38 pounds. I've had her since puppyhood. I divorced when she was 2 years old, and was single for 5 years. During that time, Lucy became very protective, and perhaps a bit insecure. She now barks at anyting walking within her line of sight; and is a bit dog-agressive. I do mean, a bit. If she's engaged in fetch, she ignores other dogs. If she's at the kennel, she has not problems with outside time with the rest of the dogs. But, when we walk, or hike, she gets aggressive with most dogs we meet. She will raise her hackls, sniff a bit, then snarl and lunge. There's never been any damage, and most events are simple scuffles. However, she's a dog--it could happen. However, she's totally appropriate with our new puppy.

I spoke with a dog trainer in our area who specializes in aggressive dogs. He said it will be hard to do anything much, since she's so old. This surprised me, as I always believed a dog could be taught at any age.

What are your thoughts? Any advice on how to deal with her issues? The barking isn't nearly so worrisome as the aggression.

I appreciate any advice!

TooneyDogs · 01-14-2008, 10:25 PM

True dog aggression is totally different than what you describe. There is no barking or lunging. The intent is to literally kill the other dog...a rather rare thing for dogs to do. Your description sounds like resource guarding...you are the resource...and she's going to make sure no other dog interferes.
I suspect that you kind of encouraged that attitude from her after the divorce....to protect you..to be there for you...to watch out for you...and, most importantly...be out in front of you on your walks and head off any trouble that comes your way. And, it sounds like she's doing a great job.
If you want to tell her that she no longer needs to protect you, you have to go out front on those walks. Step inbetween her and the other dog at the first sign of arousal....you are declaring that you will handle these situations...that it's not up to her. Turn and walk away from the other dog...you're taking the leadership back and she has to follow. It will take
awhile for her to reliquish the job but, once she realizes that she doesn't have to do that anymore she wil relax immensely.

Spicy1_VV · 01-15-2008, 07:36 AM

I think tooney has good advice. Most dogs I know that want to fight don't have the behavior you describe. They just stare at the other dog, whine or get a very intense look on their face. It sounds like she is being protective over you and isn't exactly dog aggressive. This is going to take patience. I'm also surprised at what the trainer said. Its is usually possible to modify most behavior.

Shalva · 01-15-2008, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TooneyDogs

True dog aggression is totally different than what you describe. There is no barking or lunging. The intent is to literally kill the other dog...a rather rare thing for dogs to do. Your description sounds like resource guarding...you are the resource...and she's going to make sure no other dog interferes.
I suspect that you kind of encouraged that attitude from her after the divorce....to protect you..to be there for you...to watch out for you...and, most importantly...be out in front of you on your walks and head off any trouble that comes your way. And, it sounds like she's doing a great job.
If you want to tell her that she no longer needs to protect you, you have to go out front on those walks. Step inbetween her and the other dog at the first sign of arousal....you are declaring that you will handle these situations...that it's not up to her. Turn and walk away from the other dog...you're taking the leadership back and she has to follow. It will take
awhile for her to reliquish the job but, once she realizes that she doesn't have to do that anymore she wil relax immensely.

I agree with this..... and I would give her treats and such before she sees the other dog and gets insecure..... she needs to know that you are going to handle it AND that good thigns happen when she sees other dogs.

I would also add that your anxiety about how she is going to react goes down the leash..... she only perceives that as anxiety..... she doesn't understand that you are nervous about her reaction only that you are nervous and that feeds into her wanting to protect you.... and as such she gets nervous.....
try to calm down when she sees another dog....(I know I did this myself and as soon as I worked to not become stressed with one of my dogs it seemed to get much better)
s

Elana55 · 01-15-2008, 10:10 AM

Her behavior is more typical of resource guarding the dog aggression. Everything said so far is good but I would read up on resource guarding and work this from that angle.

Certainly your body language is helping to signal the dog.. and it is only natural.. you tense up and shorten the leash when you see another dog and she sees and feels it ALL.

I would get really HIGH END treats as well.. you know.. bits of steak, hot dogs, cheese,.. stuff the dog just LOVES. If you can find someone with a thoroughly reliable dog, you might try walking toward the dog... and as soon as your pup starts to raise hackles, walk stiff.. any of that.. turn and walk the other way.. and offer a treat as soon as the dog relaxes.

I would try several sessions until you can get up to the other dog with your dog focused on you. Do not allow your dog to engage the other dog physically (nose to nose etc.). Dog Fights are easier prevented than broken up!

I also recommend two books for you:
MINE! A Guide to Resource Guarding in Dogs
and
FIGHT! A Parctical Guide to Treatment of Dog - dog Agression

Both books are by my favorite author, Jean Donaldson. I have learned a huge amount from her books.

rogueslg71 · 01-15-2008, 12:22 PM

i dont think you should step out between the dogs because that just might escalate the tension between the two. but i would practice keeping her by your side and silghtly behind you during walks to let her know youre leading her and you've got things under control now.

also i've had problems with my neighbors dogs charging at the fence (theyve broken it a few times), but i notice that if i dont let my dog look at them and get mine to just ignore them, both dogs on both sides of the fence calm down and are quiet. so if you walk at a good pace and keep her focus on following what you are doing, this will help with her not trying to refocus on other dogs near by cause shes busy following you

TooneyDogs · 01-15-2008, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogueslg71

i dont think you should step out between the dogs because that just might escalate the tension between the two.

For claification: you step in front when the the dog first reacts...that might be 50 yards away.... not, when you're already top of the other dog....that's way too late. You're right that at that point things can escalate.

rayter · 01-16-2008, 10:19 PM

yeah it is...in most cases. It, however, requires patience and knowledge to rehabilitate an aggressive dog. Consistency and timing in dealing with behavior.

***Please do not spam our forum***Warning #2

SMoore · 01-17-2008, 11:50 AM

I've been going through a similar thing with one of my dogs. She's so much better now and I got her when she was over 3-4 years old. I basically eased her into meeting other dogs. She was attacked by two dogs and hurt badly so her issues are to defend herself. She doesn't really want to go after other dogs she just wants to scare them away from ever hurting her again.

So, first I did everything to make sure she knew I was the boss and I was the leader. She had to work for everything: food, walks, treats, attention, toys. If she wanted her food she had to sit for it. If she wanted attention she could not demand it, she had to wait patiently until I came to her. If she wanted treats she had to do something to earn it. Nothing was given to her. I wanted her to know that I was in control and that I would take care of her. It's a lot of stress on a dog to be leader when they don't have to be.

When walking her and we would come up against another dog I would make her sit (not lay) and then I would stand over her. I wouldn't put pressure on her i'd just straddle her basically while giving her treats and praise. I did this so she would understand that I was still in control and would protect her and she didn't need to be aggressive.

It took a lot of time and a lot of patience and many many dog treats but it worked. I didn't read all the replies someone may have already said something similar but I thought I would share my experience.

rosemaryninja · 01-18-2008, 09:32 AM

Yes, dog-aggression is treatable. I recently dealt with a bout of fear-aggression towards dogs in one of my beagles - I never really found out what provoked it. By the way, she was 7 years old when it started and it was pretty much solved in a few months.

In any case, like several others have said, the key is to show her that meeting other dogs is a very normal thing. Your dog has a "safe zone" - once other dogs enter this zone is when your dog starts feeling unsafe and insecure. It could be a mile away, or twenty feet away, or ten feet away.

Take a bag of high-value treats with you when you walk. When you see a dog approaching, the first thing to remember is to stay calm. Tense up the leash and she will immediately sense it. Roll your shoulders back, take a deep breath, don't dread what's coming and keep an eye on your dog. It might help to talk to your dog - with mine, I would say things like "oh look Honey, there's a golden retriever coming this way. Isn't she pretty? It's just her and her owner, out on a walk, just like you and me when we go to the...etc" and basically just talk rubbish, in a normal tone. It keeps both of you calm.

When you sense your dog getting edgy and insecure, that is when you need to "break" her out of her fixation on the other dog. For my dog, it was when I noticed her gaze start to concentrate on the other dog, and her ears lift slightly. It might very well be different for your dog - I can't tell. At this point, bring out the treats and do all you can to distract. Say her name, make high-pitched noises, squeeze a squeaky toy...for my dog, I waved the treat right in front of her nose. The minute she looks away from the other dog, treat immediately and praise.

If she goes too far and starts lunging or snarling, it means the other dog is too close and you weren't quick enough to notice her starting to get uncomfortable earlier.

The message is: "seeing other dogs is okay, it's a good thing."

Slowly, with my dog, the "safe zone" got smaller and smaller. After about a month, we were able to walk by other dogs with me only having to distract her with words and tone of voice. After about a month and a half, we could walk by other dogs without me having to distract her at all, as long as they were on the other side of the street. After two months or so, she was completely fine with walking by other dogs.