Aggression Issues

[LokiGem]

Long time, no post...(update)

Loki is now 2 1/2 years old. It has been quite some time since his aggressive behavior started and it has not subsided. Loki was neutered at just over 6 months of age. He got along well with all dogs for about a year after that, but no more...
Loki still CAN NOT associate with male dogs. He goes crazy, growling, lunging, etc... I do not take him to off leash parks at all anymore and he gets along GREAT with the small group of females in our play groups as the only male. Funny thing is that he lives with one male dog (yorkshire terrier) and at family gatherings plays with another male, a maltese.
Maybe its the size? He happily lets the yorkie hold alpha position in our house. Yorkie eats first, yorkie snaps at Loki to correct him.
I still don't understand why stranger male dogs cause such a reaction in him.
I know now that dog parks are not for us anyway as it causes to much stress for me and Loki. We sometimes have problems meeting male dogs on leash walks too though.
Insteading of addressing the issue I have tried to avoid the catalyst. Is that a bad thing?

-Kim & Loki

 

[LokiGem]

oops. posted twice, sorry

 

[harleyboxer]

If your dog may injure another dog then avoid it. You can try taking him to places where there are a lot of dogs on leash so that he gets used to seeing other male dogs. He needs to learn that he can't react like that. It took my dog awhile to settle down and even now it takes about 15 minutes to settle down. Did you have the Yorkie when your dog was a puppy? It would have established dominance then. Also, in the house my dog is usually better with other dogs than outside. He reacts the most strongly to dogs that are afraid of him or bark. Boxers can be very intimidating to other dogs when they puff themselves up. I took my dog to a park benefit for dogs and was suprised at how many dogs he did get along with and the ones that he didn't (you may find there are some females that he doesn't get along with either). My dog will meet other dogs before he decides he doesn't like them which gives me ample time to restrain him. I wouldn't suggest that though if your dog lunges and asks questions later. When I got my dog he was 3 yrs old and at the animal shelter. I took him to the park, the pet store, and anywhere else I could find. We'd have to make a wide berth around the other dogs and it took awhile, but he doesn't react as much anymore. When you take your dog to a dog park and it attacks another dog it is very hard to stop because of the space involved so don't feel bad about not taking him.

 

[NikleAlcala]

all this talk of agression has be worried....

I'm new to the boards. I've been reading the posts for the past two days and have learned a lot. It's good to hear people going through the same things I am with my two new pups. It's also helpful to hear how the more experienced have worked through the issues. I have two young pups, Laila 16 weeks and Cassius 10 weeks. They've been together for about 3 weeks. They play with each other very well, but at times can get very load and rough. I was worried at first because from the outside it sounds as if they are fighting (growling at each other at some points). But then I started to talk with people and read things and thought- they are just being puppies. But the more I think about it and read posts about agressive behavior, I start thinking, maybe this is something I should be focusing on. Sometimes their play gets so rough one will yelp (doesn't seem to stop them), but I find myself stopping them. Is that bad? I don't want them to think all play is bad, but I worry about when they get older (and bigger).
Anyone have any thoughts/suggestions? Gone through the same thing?

 

[sgbtab]

my mattie has gotten a little agressive lately I seem to know what triggers her off so I try to stop it before it happens she is very small for her age still very healthy and for some reason she wants to be alpha but gracie is much stronger and won't have any of that it really looks like gracie is alpha so I started back to basics with the both of them and let them know that I was alpha and this is by love and understanding I kept a very close eye and when I would see the signals I would distract them and make them go to a sit stay so far this has worked I sure hope it works I will try anything for them

 

[k9bxrs]

It sounds like you have things going in the right direction. When you give them attetion of any sort whether it's affection, treats, food or play make sure you give it to the boxer that was there first meaning the boxer that you got first and then the other boxer second and make sure you do this every time and that everyone in the house does the same thing and this helps establish the alpha between them because they already know your are the top dog I hope this helps. Good Luck !!!

 

[Honey's Dad]

Book Recommendation

I would like to recommend the book, "The Culture Clash", by Jean Donaldson. The book offers insight into dog behavior and recommends behavioral interventions you can try to get your dog on the right track.

You may not agree with everything the author says, but I believe this book should come with every new puppy.

 

[tre777]

Thanks for the sites!!!!!

Sable has just turned 3 & we just got her a few months ago off someone who I feel was not treating her right! (Now she is treated like a queen). When Sable is off of a leash she is just fine, but when she is on her leash she begins to get defensive like she is protecting us & herself when somebody walks by. I have read that maybe it's because that is when she is at her weakest because she can't run away or move too well due to the leash. I really liked the site that I was directed to & enjoyed reading how we as owners might play a part in it too. (I know I do the following):

"Understandably, the owner begins to anticipate any situation which might trigger this behavior. Spotting an approaching dog or person before the dog does, the owner tightens up on the leash so he can control the dog better, stiffens his own body posture and holds his breath. The dog notices the change in the leash tension, the owner's body posture and breathing, and begins looking to see what has the owner so worried, and once he spots it, begins his aggressive behavior."

 

[laura owner]

dealing with aggression threads - please can you help?

does anybody know how i can find an animal behaviourist in Athens, Greece? all the website contacts are U.S. and Australia. I could really do with some help...although my dog (11 months) is much better than she was months ago (been practising NILIF and generally ignoring her plus applied 'the dog listener' psychology) she seems every now and then to have uncontrollable outbursts where she is jumping and biting aggressively...it's quite strange behaviour almost as if she is having a fit of some type because no matter what i do nothing stops it... it happens every now and again and is quite disturbing, i really want to speak to somebody about it. thanks!

 

[douma]

does anybody know how i can find an animal behaviourist in Athens, Greece? all the website contacts are U.S. and Australia. I could really do with some help...although my dog (11 months) is much better than she was months ago (been practising NILIF and generally ignoring her plus applied 'the dog listener' psychology) she seems every now and then to have uncontrollable outbursts where she is jumping and biting aggressively...it's quite strange behaviour almost as if she is having a fit of some type because no matter what i do nothing stops it... it happens every now and again and is quite disturbing, i really want to speak to somebody about it. thanks!

This is a site of a good trainer in Athens.Yiannis Arahovitis is a member of American Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) and works only with positive reinforcement.
Here you could find the info
http://www.stardogs.gr/
http://www.dogtraining.gr/
Hope the sites would help you