Leash aggression (long)

[binxsmom]

Hey all,

I've been doing a lot of searches on leash aggression because our 11 month old neutered male Binx has some real issues. We have done classes with him since he was 10 weeks old and after this present class he will be on to CGC training. He does really well in a class full of other dogs (he will sit and stay when approached by other dogs) on-leash but in other surroundings he is horrible. On walks, he lunges, barks, and just goes crazy. If we are able to get close enough to another dog and owner that are not completely freaked out by his behavior, he and the other dog will do the sniff thing for a few seconds and then Binx will snap, growl and freak out.

A great example was in the waiting room going into class last week, we take Binx (who is only 50 pounds) near the 120 pound un-neutered Greater Swiss Mountain dog (who is a show dog and very, very docile), things were going fine and then my son went to pet the big guy and Binx snapped. (I usually insist that at a new meeting between dogs there are no children in the middle trying to pet either one.)

He has been absolutely fine off leash so far, we let him run in the enclosed tennis courts across the street with a few other dogs in the neighborhood and he hasn't had a problem.

Our trainer said last week that he will probably never be a dog that can be trained off-leash and she really discourages the dog park atmosphere. (I have always wanted to take him but am afraid of what he might do, and now the park district in our area wants to charge $150 per year to use the dog parks so I'm not going to pay that if I can't even take him.)

I love, love, love this puppy and he is very good with other people and my children but I would love to get to the bottom of this behavior and put an end to it if I can (for his sake as well as ours.)

I did tons of research on Boxers and breeders before we decided on him and even the breeder was surprised at Binx's aggression (on-leash) towards his own brother. He was, I guess, considered the "runt" and was the quietest of the litter (we visited twice before we brought him home) and I read about having issues with that but never thought he would have such a problem.

I have been searching for the book "Feisty Fido." Borders Books says it is out of print so I'm trying to get a copy on-line.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated...this website has been such a great source of information and I look forward to any feedback I can get.
Thanks!
Chris

 

[scott1990]

leash aggression cured! Really!

Hi all! I adopted a 20 month old boxer (Lucy) about one month back, from the Boxer Rescue League. She was a stray, so not much of her background is known. Anyway, she's a real love. Her one problem has been leash pulling and aggression. When out walking (pulling, really) she would get very aggressive anytime a car, person or animal went by. Sometimes I would have to restrain her with both arms, and I used the word "no" generously and firmly. Nothing worked. I was using a harness on her that would tighten under her legs when she pulled, and it worked far better than a collar, but she preferred to pull despite the discomfort. I was at the end of my rope, and I really HATED taking her out for walks. Aside from being exasperating, it was embarrasing!

Then, through her vet, I learned about the "Gentle Leader" head collar, made by Premier. After a 20 minute adjustment period, the pulling stopped immediately. It was a God-send! I'm not writing to promote the product in any way, but to offer fellow sufferers a cure! Without getting into detail, it works like a harness on a horse. The only problem was it didn't stop the aggression. When she became aggressive on a walk I would do exactly as the collar's manual said, but it didn't help. Now she'd stand up like a colt, shake her head and try to bite the leash. Then I found the cure that I used in conjunction with the manual's directions - a squirt gun. It took about five incidents (one walk) until she got the hint. Now she's the perfect dog! Walking is now a pleasure and she's very well behaved. She never pulls and the aggression is gone (but I still carry the squirt gun incase of a relapse)! My only suggestion is this - read the directions that come with the collar, especially the part that explains how to let your dog adjust to the new collar. Lucy hated it. She pawed at it, she'd throw herself on the ground and refuse to get up, throw fits, etc. After about 15 minutes she started to give in, and we came inside. Then I made her wear it for about one hour. Later that evening we went for a walk. We'd walk a few feet, then sit and rest (as directed by the manual). I repeated that action for about 100 yards and she hasn't pulled since. Good luck; if anyone tries it, please let me know how you made out!

 

[AntJan]

Try the Gentle Leader

We adopted a senior neutered male last month from a Rescue, and he was also found as a stray. The first time he showed some leash aggression, we bought a Gentle Leader the very next day. Now he's fine. The only thing we're working w/him on as far as walking on lead is pulling. He's doing better each time. Please try the Gentle Leader, and make sure to read the instruction booklet it comes with. It really works! Here's their website: http://www.gentleleader.com/

janet

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

Try HERE

$7.95 for Patricia's book "Feisty Fido" Will be extremely helpful to you, I'm sure.

 

[binxsmom]

Thanks for your replies. I have ordered the book.
We already have the Sporn harness and that works pretty well for pulling. I haven't invested in the Gentle Leader yet but I guess that could be next.

I guess what I was looking for more than anything was insight as to WHY he might be so aggressive on-leash and a way to figure out what is going on in his mind and how to "desensitize" him. I found the Dog Listener to be a great book that explains how a dog's behavior can be modified by understanding the pack order and the role that plays. I'm hoping that Feisty Fido will be the same.

We will continue to work on calming things during our walks I guess, making him sit and lie down periodically to keep his attention focused on me (food doesn't even work when another dog is around). Maybe I'll try Scott's squirt gun idea. It did work in the past to curb undesirable behaviors.

Thanks!

 

[BeckyNC]

OK, I'm no expert, but I did research this topic a couple months back, when I thought my girl was leash aggressive. Turns out she was only play growling. How embarrassing!

Anyhow, has Binx ever been attacked? It is my understanding that a dog that has been attacked can be wary of other dogs and uncertain as to how to handle them when they approach. Additionally, it's not ideal for dogs to meet while leashed b/c they are essentially trapped (can't get away if they would like to).

In order to desensitize Binx, you might try carrying some small treats with you or some of his kibble, if he really likes it. When you see another dog approach, say "see the nice doggie" or something in that lovey dovey voice. Give him a treat. He will learn to associate other dogs with yummmy treats!

You mentioned that treats do not work when Binx sees the other dog. My girl has very little self-control and used to go bonkers when another dog approached (she HAD to "meet" that dog!). The behaviorist with whom I consulted suggested doing a sit stay, providing a treat the second I saw the dog--ideally before Tae saw it coming. Maybe this would work for you?

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

Unless you are a dog or the "dog psychic," you may never determine WHY a dog does anything he does.

The issue is not WHY, but the behavior itself. It is the behavior that needs to be addressed, and regardless of WHY the dog does it.

 

[binxsmom]

Thanks Becky.
Binx has never been attacked. And I know he loves to play and doesn't get enough of a chance to off leash with other dogs. But with his hackles up and the way he lunges and stuff I have a hard time thinking it's play growling. I also think his "teenage" attitude was a little delayed. Instead of going through it at 9 months...he's going through it a little later.

I'm going to work on this a lot...it will be easier with the kids off to school next week. We will have a more consistent routine.

How is Tae now?
I just think it's going to take some work. We went out on a good walk this morning and I tried a few different techniques. We're working on turns in class and if I saw a dog coming before Binx did I'd do a series of turns in order to keep him more focused on me and where I was going. I did bring some tasty treats also and worked on lots of praise with sits and stays.

And Dan, I guess what I was more worried about was if this was a behavior that was indicative of maybe a deeper problem. You're right, I guess it's like having kids in a way...sometimes they just do stuff that you don't understand but you have to deal with the behavior.

Thanks again.