Aggression in car

[sandramast]

my 5 yr old female is aggressive in two situations that are problematic.

1. When dogs are being walked past our house or someone approaches the front door (she's damages all the windows.

2. In the car.

a. While driving she'll growl and lung at passing bicylcists or people walking.

b. If left in the car she'll get out of control tearing at the windows and foaming at the mouth if anyone comes within 10 feet of the car.


I read the Dog Listener and there has been definite improvement in some areas. But this aggression has got to stop.

Any ideas?


If I have her shopping with me I'll park the car in the "back 40" to avoid other people/car but it seems that there are other people who like to park a good distance from the stores as well.

 

[daenbax]

One thing my trainer did with her German Shepherd puppy when she began barking/lunging, etc. at people, especially children while in the car, was to actually have the people say "Hi Dancer" and then give her a treat. Many times dogs react like "How did they know my name?" I've done that with people on walks. When Baxter was really startled or began barking or something. I'd ask them to be still, let him sniff them and then have them give a treat.

With people coming to the front door, is she reacting to a doorbell, a knock? One thing to try is to teach her to go to a designated spot when people are at the door. Once they are in, and she is still at her designated spot, then they can give her a treat/praise.

Hope this helps some.

Dae

 

[Claudia807]

We have a dog in rescue right now that was turning into Cujo anytime someone would walk by the car (if he was in the car). His foster mom had people toss treats into the car, just like Dae described. He seems to have gotten a lot better with it.

It sounds like your girl has some territorial issues. If her behavior becomes too alarming you may want to consult a behaviorist for help.

Claudia
Green Acres Boxer Rescue of WI

 

[sandramast]

Thank you both for your replies.

When in the car Adrian's aggression is towards people/cars that get within a parking space of the car. The damage is done when I am NOT in the car to give her a command to settle down. I'm not sure I could ask strangers in a parking lot to toss her a bone, she's pretty threatening and foams at the mouth. (Has never bitten anyone but they don't know that)

At home we have windows in the front so the barking is at people WITH dogs walking along the street and anyone that comes up to our door. I try to quickly address her aggression as advised in the Dog Listener by thanking her calmly and then telling her to settle down. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

I could close the blinds in the front except that it provides both dogs with a place to watch birds, cars and butterfiles during the day.

Because our backyard is not dog play friendly I take them across the street (no houses) for "sniffs" 1-2 times a day, and to a field 1-2 a week. They obey my commands and I do not have them on a leash. If people approach Adrian will obey me and come: not showing aggression to the people.

Adrian is definetely an Alpha female and thankfully our male is fine with that. We do not have the finances to pay for outside training and since I have the time and interest I just need to know what to do.

Look forward to more good input!

 

[KELLY W]

My Muggsey does the same thing. He will pound and claw on the windows if someone is walking by or if someone pulls up next to us at a red light. We have started to bring the clicker and some treats in the car and when he just looks at them and doesnt do anything, we click and treat. If he starts to freak out we say no and he doesnt get anything. It has gotten a little better but it really depends on his mood. We also have to park way far away so no one will be near the car. He will also do it at home on the windows and the back sliding door if someone is walking by or a car he doesnt know drives by. I have started to place myself between him and the window/door and tell him no and direct him away. Again, it has gotten a bit better, but definately not 100%. I would not let strangers come up to him in the car because I know he will bite in that situation. The trainer we went to said he has protection and territorial aggression.

 

[sandramast]

So, I'm not the only one with this problem. Thanks for sharing your experience with the same behavior. Hopefully someone out there will have an idea.

Adrians Mom