Im having aggression issues with my Labrador. My 2 year old male lab is having aggression issues with the dog we live with (not ours). He will get possessive over anything sometimes objects or even people, and will lash out and attack the little dog. We have lived with this other dog for over a year now and the problem seems to be getting worse. My dog gives really no warning and will launch into a full attack when it appears to be no apparent reason. It can be over toys or a bone, if someone comes to the house, if the dogs are barking at someone outside, or even if they are near each other. He has never been aggressive over his food bowl or water bowl. He has a couple times growled at other dogs or people if he is unsure about them when he is with me. Like he is protecting me. I have learned that facing him and confronting him face on when he does this with a big athorative no seems to have helped a lot.
The other dog is a chiwhawha x foxy - not fixed and is very dominant. Often biting or trying to dominate my dog which he puts up with and never seems to bother him. He is never aggressive with people (although as mentioned above has barked or growled at people if he is unsure of them - this has always been outside the house), he hasn't had any possessive behaviours with people taking his things. Really just the dog we live with. We had a dog behaviourist come and assess the situation but this really has not helped. I did not think his advice was not quite right at the time and I guess then I did not realise my dog had a possessive aggression. But after reading someone elses post I think this is what it is. The behaviourist said he felt the two dogs were fighting for dominence of the house which is probably true, but don't think it explains my dogs aggression outside the house with other dogs and growling at people. This happens rarely however, maybe 4 times.
We will be moving out of this house and away from the other dog at the end of this year but I would love to work with them and try and help fix the problem if I can. My dog does seem to be getting worse with his attacks and I want him to get better if at all possible. He is the best, most loving dog normally and I hate to see that side of him. It is horrible when he attacks as it hard to snap him out of his fight mode. We have to keep them separated afterwards and if they are together constantly monitor them just incase.
I read up in the NILIF program and to be honest I do do most of those things. I always make his sit before he is aloud to do anything and he never demands my attention. Maybe just rewarding him with he shares or plays with the other dog may be the best way to help this situation.
Any advice would be appreciated.
The other dog is a chiwhawha x foxy - not fixed and is very dominant. Often biting or trying to dominate my dog which he puts up with and never seems to bother him. He is never aggressive with people (although as mentioned above has barked or growled at people if he is unsure of them - this has always been outside the house), he hasn't had any possessive behaviours with people taking his things. Really just the dog we live with. We had a dog behaviourist come and assess the situation but this really has not helped. I did not think his advice was not quite right at the time and I guess then I did not realise my dog had a possessive aggression. But after reading someone elses post I think this is what it is. The behaviourist said he felt the two dogs were fighting for dominence of the house which is probably true, but don't think it explains my dogs aggression outside the house with other dogs and growling at people. This happens rarely however, maybe 4 times.
We will be moving out of this house and away from the other dog at the end of this year but I would love to work with them and try and help fix the problem if I can. My dog does seem to be getting worse with his attacks and I want him to get better if at all possible. He is the best, most loving dog normally and I hate to see that side of him. It is horrible when he attacks as it hard to snap him out of his fight mode. We have to keep them separated afterwards and if they are together constantly monitor them just incase.
I read up in the NILIF program and to be honest I do do most of those things. I always make his sit before he is aloud to do anything and he never demands my attention. Maybe just rewarding him with he shares or plays with the other dog may be the best way to help this situation.
Any advice would be appreciated.
A theory with one of our trainers was that my dog must of had a couple fights and won each and then took that in his memory that that was how he could act in situations where he felt he was frustrated and wanted to get his way. Whether that be winning over a toy or an area of space or just angry that another dog was around me. But in the end he would get aggressive with people and we couldn't really pin point why. They were all different situations. Anyway I would seek professional help / advice from a dog trainer. Maybe even a few. If I had done it sooner and got the right advice I may have been able to save him. But I will never know that now. Best of luck with your dog.
