Aggressive girl

[TRUBBLE]

We have a 4yo girl and 1yo boy, both get on beautifully! Ali (girl) was our first boxer and I must be honest, we did not socialise her properly when she was young. She is an AMAZING animal with people but when it comes to other dogs, no matter how big or small, she is uncontrollably agressive.
(We have a cat also who absolutely rules the roost so this agression is only aimed at other dogs). I cant comfortably walk her on my own bcos she is too strong and even her Dad who she absolutely adores cant control her or 'call her back' when she gets into her agressive mood. She will growl, bark, bite, everything and once when she was pulled away from another dog, she turned and nipped her Dad on the hand.
We both accept that we are largely to blame for her behaviour but it has reached a point now where we leave her at home or in the car when we are wakling Axle or greeting other dogs. He is the friendliest male out and I would hate for him to pick up this aggressive behaviour purely bcos of the size of him! Does anyone have any ideas as to how we can try now to stamp out this agression (or are we too late) or is it possible that this is 'in her blood' and we should just ensure that she is kept out of these situations at all times?
(We have also just recently brought her a soft muzzle which we are easing her into now so are yet to see how this goes).

 

[Indy's mom]

My 2 cents worth, I'd contact and work with a behaviorist. Certainly worth a try to give your baby a much fuller life and you much less to worry about. The situation you describe right now is far from safe for any of you.

Best of luck to you.

 

[meliss&kash]

A behaviourist would be a great idea. There are also good books out there if you can't afford or can't find a behaviourist in your area. I just read 'How to right a dog gone wrong' by Pamela Dennison, and also 'Fight!' by Jean. They teach you how to desensitise and countercondition your dog so that she doesn't aggress at other dogs. It's not magic, but it is hard work. You may not get a dog that is 100% reliable around other dogs, but I think you could definitely get to the point of being able to walk her around your neighborhood without problem. It's not easy, but I wouldn't give up on her at all, no matter the age, she can learn an alternate behaviour to agressing. But you have to show her what you want Hence the books!

 

[ELubas]

My 2 cents worth, I'd contact and work with a behaviorist. Certainly worth a try to give your baby a much fuller life and you much less to worry about. The situation you describe right now is far from safe for any of you.

Best of luck to you.

I agree. As the Mom of an aggressive girl myself there is lots to be done to , as Indy's Mom says, improve her life and make you safer as you are out and about. My girl has come along way but we have a long way to go. Who knows where it comes from-mine has been like this since she was nine weeks old. But your girl accepted your boy so she has some good intentions toward other dogs . Some dogs that are aggressive CAN NEVER live with another dog so take heart in that. A good behavorist can open up doors for you so I highly recommend it. And even with the muzzle remember to be positve. Cookies and happy talk after she has worn it, etc. I wish you well. Please keep us posted

 

[Murp.mm]

Have you tried using the gentle lead when you walk her? I've never used one by my brother uses one on his beagle not for aggression problems but to get her to walk properly. Hope this helps. Good Luck.

 

[TRUBBLE]

Have you tried using the gentle lead when you walk her? I've never used one by my brother uses one on his beagle not for aggression problems but to get her to walk properly. Hope this helps. Good Luck.

Could you explain what a gentle lead is? I am from NZ so things are named different but my mother has used a lead which clips around their muzzle so when you pull back on them, their head is lifted up towards to you..is this the same thing?
We have been talking to a man who breeds and trains Rottweilers in our town. His animals are obedience champions and I have seen how he works with his dogs - he is calm but forceful and I think Ali may work really well with him. We have asked him if he would consider working with Ali in terms of her obedience on the lead around other dogs and introducing his wife with some of their dogs later on so we are not involved and she does not feel protective.
Does anyone have any thoughts on that idea? He is not a behaviourist as such, (we do not have animal behavourists in our town but do have obedience trainers etc), but I am more than comfortable to have someone like him work with our girl. It may also be a chance for Ali to socialise with a dogs bigger than her outside of Axle.

 

[simmons]

This sounds like what we are going though with Bosco. He wasn't properly socialized when he was a puppy either. He is mainly fear aggressive and would also try to attack other dogs we would walk by. We have been through 2 behaviourilists whom did not help us. We enrolled him in his 3rd training class with a behaviourilist's help and he has done a 180 degree turn. He just didn't know how to play and socialize with other dogs. He is still unsure of how to play, but he has 14 weeks to go.

We also have to stay consistent with him, when we see another dog coming our way. As soon as Bosco perks up, we get his attention on us. Try to get him to "watch us" and when he doesn't notice the other dog he gets ton of praise. Get the advice of a behavourilists or trainer if there's not one in your area. Stay persistent with him, it will get better in the end.

Have you asked your vet if they know of a behavourilists?
We have to travel an hour each way twice a week, so try looking outside of your home as well.

Good Luck for you and Ali!!

 

[ELubas]

Could you explain what a gentle lead is? I am from NZ so things are named different but my mother has used a lead which clips around their muzzle so when you pull back on them, their head is lifted up towards to you..is this the same thing?
.
Does anyone have any thoughts on that idea? He is not a behaviourist as such, (we do not have animal behavourists in our town but do have obedience trainers etc), but I am more than comfortable to have someone like him work with our girl. It may also be a chance for Ali to socialise with a dogs bigger than her outside of Axle.

A GL does sound like what your Mom used. Also called Haltis? They work like a horse bridle in that they control the dog's head. The leash clips under thier "chin". It can help you gain control when you have a reactive dog. As for the trainer if you have observed his methods and he is using positive reinforcement he may be able to help you. A really good trainer beats an ok behavorist in my book. But he must uses positive training methods. The last thing you want with an aggressive dog is someone who is rough, manhandles, etc. as that will exaberate things. Sounds like this guy might be good. Run from anyone who introduces alpha rolling, a lot of yelling or jerking of leashes, physical restraint, etc. as this leads the dog to think that being in the presence of strange dogs is a BAD thing. As far as introducing your girl to his dogs just be sure they are good, calm dogs. Socialization of aggressive dogs needs to be done slowly and carefully but when done right can work wonders-been there with my little monster but if we take it slow she always ends up making friends with the"good" dogs. Best of luck to you and please keep us posted

 

[dbetz]

Is this a big issue with female Boxers? We have our first female after having 2 males (we now have brother and sister, Duke and Rudy- 17 weeks). The 1st day of Puppy Socialization when she was 10 weeks old, we discovered her dominant, aggressive behavior. We are now working with our trainer to socialize her with well behaved adult dogs - in the hope that one of them will put her in her place. I hope it works. I am sorry you are having such trouble - it inspires me to work with my pup while she is little.

Good Luck.

 

[TRUBBLE]

Wow thank you all so much for your advice and for sharing your personal experiences with me! I have heard of the 'Haltis' and will get one of these for Ali. I have only ever seen them used on small breeds of dogs but I am sure if it is recommended on THIS site it has to be a valuable option!
Ali is due for a check up at the vet shortly so I will discuss this with him and see if he can recommend any behaviouralists in the area. Im not concerned about the travel but thought it could mean that we can see someone as often as we want if they are closer to town.
I would also like to meet with the breeder/trainer who I mentioned in my earlier post and see how he works with Ali. She is so important to us so if we felt he was in any way a bad person to involve her with it would be ended as quick as it started!
My mother always work at a doggy daycare centre and she has asked if I could bring Ali down a couple of times a week to start out watching other dogs socialise. She wouldnt be able to mingle with them until she relaxed and mum can read her like a book so if she was to interact with other dogs, mum would be there to pick up on any bad 'vibes'. PLEASE let me know if you dont agree with anything I have thought about doing, I would be grateful for any 'other sides' to the situation...otherwise I will keep you all posted.