Dog Aggression
#1
10-13-08, 12:01 PM
Dog Aggression
My daughter has a female part lab dog. Alli is 3 years old. We have a 2 year old female lab. The two dogs have been great friends and got along well until about 6 months ago. Now, my daughter's dog has moments when she becomes very aggressive towards our dog. We just had our daughter's dog at our house for 2 weeks and she was good most of the time. We notice that she will tense up just before she becomes aggressive. When we noticed that, we would call her name and she would "snap" out of the attitude. However, when we returned her to our daughter's house last weekend, when Alli came back in the house from going out, she immediately went after our dog. It was very vicious and only stopped by my husband and son-in-law pulling the two dogs apart. What can we do to help Alli get along with our dog. Our lab is a very submissive, passive dog. After the incident, she hid in the bedroom. She would rather hide than fight. All suggestions are welcome! Thanks.
#2
10-14-08, 08:49 AM
Forum Topic Moderator
You don't mention what breed the other *part* is of your daughter's dog. Also, how often are these two together. Or if Alli is being aggressive towards any other animals, or just your lab. Has Alli has had obedience training yet or not? Is there something that happened with Alli that may have caused a change in attitude? You mention they were fine until about 6 months ago. Is your lab spayed? Is Alli spayed?
These things may give more insight to why Alli is being aggressive.
I would suggest as a safety measure that both dogs be on leash when together. While on leash be sure to keep them in a down stay as much as possible, and correct any visible signs of aggression by Alli firmly.
With more information, there may be more I could offer by way of helping Alli get past her aggressive behaviours. If she hasn't had obedience training that would be my first suggestion.
These things may give more insight to why Alli is being aggressive.
I would suggest as a safety measure that both dogs be on leash when together. While on leash be sure to keep them in a down stay as much as possible, and correct any visible signs of aggression by Alli firmly.
With more information, there may be more I could offer by way of helping Alli get past her aggressive behaviours. If she hasn't had obedience training that would be my first suggestion.
Last edited by RhainyC; 10-14-08 at 08:50 AM. Reason: grammar
#3
10-15-08, 12:25 PM
Alli is part lab and ?? She's about 50 pounds--maybe something like a curr. The two dogs get together at least once a month, maybe 2 times a month. Alli is not aggressive to other animals. She has had some obedience training. My daughter got her from a pet adoption center and received the first set of obedience classes and completed those. Both dogs are spayed. Alli has had an ear infection, we wondered if that may have had an effect. Her ear was very tender. However, that has been cleared up through medicines and antibotics. Our lab is now about 20 pounds larger than Alli, we also wondered about that. The dogs will play together for hours and be fine. We notice that Alli begins to tense up--though we don't know why. If we call her name and distract her, she'll come out of it and be fine. If we don't catch the tensing up, then she just attacks our dog.
Thanks for your help and insights.
Thanks for your help and insights.
#4
10-15-08, 09:03 PM
Forum Topic Moderator
This is a bit of a puzzle since the dogs once were fine together, and this appears from what you have shared to be a sudden change.
Because it seems sudden, and you don't know her full history, I would suggest talking to the vet about a possible cause. I don't want to be alarming, but in my experience with dogs, sudden changes like this can be triggered by a variety of medical conditions. I think a visit to the vet is warranted to rule out a tumor or deeper infection, that may be affecting Alli's usual behaviour.
I would continue to watch them, and if you see Alli getting tense, bring her to a down stay for a *timeout* for lack of a better term. Once she settles down for 5 minutes or so, let her resume play.
This is a difficult situation due to not knowing her full history, and her breeding. While I am not a person who believes all aggressive breeds are dangerous, such as all pit bulls. I am a person who with my work with animal control, and as a vet tech, can say in honesty, if she has one of these breeds in her history, that may be part of her sudden aggression.
Please let me know what you find out from the vet, and how she does using the timeout method. I have found, if diligent with semi-aggressive dogs, the timeout can sometimes work wonders.
Because it seems sudden, and you don't know her full history, I would suggest talking to the vet about a possible cause. I don't want to be alarming, but in my experience with dogs, sudden changes like this can be triggered by a variety of medical conditions. I think a visit to the vet is warranted to rule out a tumor or deeper infection, that may be affecting Alli's usual behaviour.
I would continue to watch them, and if you see Alli getting tense, bring her to a down stay for a *timeout* for lack of a better term. Once she settles down for 5 minutes or so, let her resume play.
This is a difficult situation due to not knowing her full history, and her breeding. While I am not a person who believes all aggressive breeds are dangerous, such as all pit bulls. I am a person who with my work with animal control, and as a vet tech, can say in honesty, if she has one of these breeds in her history, that may be part of her sudden aggression.
Please let me know what you find out from the vet, and how she does using the timeout method. I have found, if diligent with semi-aggressive dogs, the timeout can sometimes work wonders.
#5
11-11-08, 10:58 PM
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Look into Ceasar millan "Dog Whisperer" I love training dogs and this guy knows his stuff. My wife is going to get me the entire video set. I have never seen him stumped yet. he has a weekly show on discovery Channel.
AMAZING
AMAZING
#6
11-11-08, 11:48 PM
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Perhaps more obedience training and observing the reaction of the dog to other dogs in the class would be insightful. Obedience class is a good place to learn how to handle your dog safely around other dogs that are under control. Be sure to discuss the problem with the instructor before the first class, so you can determine whether you and he need private instruction first.
Perhaps more frequent supervised visits can increase familiarity and reduce the need for aggression. Socialization of the dog may improve relationship. Your vet may be able to refer you to a pet behaviorist.
Much of a dog's personality is determined by genetics and early socialization. The personality is not fully formed until about 3 years old. If the dog was raised to feel that it is top dog rather than the two-legged family members, then aggression can present itself.
Some recommend that aggressive behaviors be met with the command 'Bad Dog.' Maintain eye contact until dog looks away. If dog presents more agression, use a squirt bottle filled with a water and a little vinegar or lemon juice and squirt in face.
Without knowing the dog's socialization history, it is difficult to understand why it has suddenly become aggressive. Socialization history is important, as personality is fully developed by age 3.
Perhaps more frequent supervised visits can increase familiarity and reduce the need for aggression. Socialization of the dog may improve relationship. Your vet may be able to refer you to a pet behaviorist.
Much of a dog's personality is determined by genetics and early socialization. The personality is not fully formed until about 3 years old. If the dog was raised to feel that it is top dog rather than the two-legged family members, then aggression can present itself.
Some recommend that aggressive behaviors be met with the command 'Bad Dog.' Maintain eye contact until dog looks away. If dog presents more agression, use a squirt bottle filled with a water and a little vinegar or lemon juice and squirt in face.
Without knowing the dog's socialization history, it is difficult to understand why it has suddenly become aggressive. Socialization history is important, as personality is fully developed by age 3.
