Aggresive with other dogs.

railNtrailcowgrl · 08-03-2008, 12:49 AM

Ok, so it was such a nice sunny breezy day her today I decided Pebs and I would go to the park so I could take some pictures and then we would go to the dog park. BAD IDEA!

We get there and things start off just fine I kept her on the leash for awhile and let her and the other dogs introduce themselves and things seemed to be going fine. There was a flat coated retriever and a dane "puppy" (biggest 10 mo dog I've ever seen). She was totally fine with the retriever and they pretty much ignored each other.

Things were going well so I decided to get her ball out so we could play a GOOD game of fetch (I have no yard where I live). We fetched for awhile and the dane just wanted to join in on the chase. He never tried to take her ball or initiate the aggresive activity, just wanted someone to run with. She FLIPPED out on him, which I find semi-amusing (not really though) because his head was as big as she is!

We broke up the fight, no one was hurt luckily (thank God!) and I put her on the leash and made her down, and the danes owner made him lay down and stay as well. Then we made our goodbyes and left as I didn't want to be responsable for any more fights.

She was like this at home (with my Mom's JRT and Mini Aussie she ignores the golden) for awhile (when I first got her) and when she relised that they we not going to take her toy she decided that they were not to bad to be around. Her previous owner also had multiple big dogs (a mastive thing and a BC mix, as well as cats) and she seemed to run the show. They didn't bully her or exhibit any particular aggresive behavior towards her (aka I don't think she was bullied) She will not play with other dogs and would rather be a little recluse.

Is there ANY way I can fix this behavior? I live away from home right now and don't have any friends that have dogs that I can socialize her with. What is the best way of going about this? I know she probably won't ever want to play with other dogs (she's already 3) but can I at least get her to be civil? I really think she enjoys being able to go to the park and run but if I can't trust her I don't want to put her or any other dogs in that situation.

HELP

ohrats9 · 08-03-2008, 01:48 AM

Stop bringing a ball to dog park. One of the biggest problems I see at dog parks come from people bringing things from home to play with that make their dogs want to guard them and that is how fights start. I would bring nothing. If everything was fine until the ball, I would say that is your main problem. She is never ever going to feel like no one is after her ball if she is surrounded by dogs she does not know very well.

Also, dog parks are not necessarily for exercising your dog, they are more for socializing your dog. Get your dog relatively tired before dog park. That way she's not amped and ready to start trouble.

If she's a reclusive dog, why not respect that? If you didn't like being around lots of people, would you enjoy being brought into crowded situations you couldn't get away from? Wouldn't you get snappy? Maybe find something better to do that you both enjoy, like long walks?

Cobalt · 08-03-2008, 08:41 PM

Our Maltese never changed. She was with my mother when a large dog put her head in it's mouth but didn't bite. She was 3 at the time. From then on Lilly would bark and run at any dog she'd see and then when about 10 ft away she'd start this embarrassing cry.

You dog doesn't sound like it's coming from fear but it could be but I am not expert.

BTW, our Maltese went after a horse once. We were on a walk and she just flew so fast that the leash ripped out of my hand, wasn't expecting it. She was a great walker. The horse and rider just looked at us like, "you're kidding right"? Again, embarrassing!

railNtrailcowgrl · 08-03-2008, 09:36 PM

I guess that I may have to give up on her getting along with other dogs. My biggest concern is when it is time for us to get a new puppy in the next year or two. I just don't want that behavior to be instilled in the puppy.

Thank goodness she is good around our horses and cats, really any other animal other than dogs she is ok with. The biggest suprise to me was that she didn't like the big dog. Most of the problems we have encountered thus far have been with dogs her size or smaller, she seems to like and get along with the larger dogs.