Is it aggression

[ccamma]

When I take 10 month old Jada to the park on her leash and she sees other dogs she stands on her hind legs and moves in their direction. Is this aggression? When other dogs approach her she is submissive. I have not reached the point where I am ready to let her off the leash. Any thoughts would be great.

 

[Indy's mom]

Sounds like an excited puppy who wants to go play with the other dogs.

Are you taking her to the dog park on a leash? If so, it could lead to problems for you. Most dog parks prohibit dogs being leashed as it can lead to leash aggression. At 11 mos. if you are going to the dog park, I would let her interact with the other dogs, closely supervised so that you can intervene if you feel it is necessary. But it's an opportunity for her to wear herself out and also to learn polite social behavior as only other dogs can teach her.

 

[ehayes21]

Agreed. I don't think it's aggression, it sounds like she's just excited to see other dogs.
And Indy's mom is right on, being on leash where others are off leash is not a good idea. It's very frustrating to be confined by a leash and can cause aggressive reactions in a dog because they are not able to interact in there normal doggie way.

I do think that her "standing up" behavior shouldn't be encouraged though- teaching proper leash manners can save you lots of headache's down the road.

http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/2001b/desensitizing.htm
http://www.flyingdogpress.com/sayhi.html
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_AggressionToApproachingDogsAndPeople.php#s3

 

[ELubas]

Agree with the other posters, just excitement I would teach her to get into a nice sit (four on the floor) before you release her and then let her play. Practice recalls at non-park time too so that you can count on her to come back to you when you need her to. When she comes back praise her like crazy and then let her go again to play. When it is time to go home, go get her, don't call her to you so she never associates the recall with the the end of fun. Sounds like a typical fun boxer girl to me

 

[Murp.mm]

I think she's just being a boxer puppy.

 

[ccamma]

Thank you. I will let her off the leash the next time we go to the dog park.