Not getting along with other dogs

[mbisce]

Hi everyone,
I have a question about one of my boxers, Rush. He is a wonderful dog we adopted from rescue last year (when he was 14 mos. old). We have worked very hard on training him, and he listens VERY well inside the house and in our yard. He gets along well with our other rescued boxer, as well as some other dogs he got to know soon after he came to us.
Here is our issue: it is difficult to walk him, or take him to the vet or the pet store, because he seems to want to attack other dogs. He strains on his leash, growls, and I am fairly sure he would bite them if he could get to them. What I don't understand is, there has never been an issue with our other dog, or the other dogs he was first introduced to by us. When people come to our house, or he encounters them in public, he is the same adorable friendly guy as always, but if they have a dog, it does not matter what commands I give him, or what treat I have, nothing can get his attention.
I remember the exact first day this happened, about 4 months after we got him. I have tried to think very hard about if I did something to make him have this behavior, if I unwittingly let him know this behavior was desired, or I made him think he needed to protect me? I cannot think of anything.
I have wanted to take him to an obedience class to try to train him better with distractions around, but I have been afraid to take him so far because I can't control him well around other dogs and don't know how any training will get done! Also, I am worried our other dog (who is his little shadow) she is starting to mimic his behavior. They don't get out as often as I would liek them to because of this.
I also think was not socialized well when he was a very young puppy - from what his foster mom told me, his first family did not pay much attention to him and he was left in a fenced yard most of the time.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
Maria

 

[BeckyNC]

Are you sure Rush is doing his mean boy growl? The reason I ask is my girl Tae still goes nuts on walks when she sees other dogs. She's gotten a lot better, but when another dog gets close she jumps at it and growls. I finally figured out it's her play growl. I have had several people shrink back from her with their dogs b/c they are scared. Now I just warn people ahead of time that she's going to growl and that it's a friendly growl. Any chance Rush is doing that?

When another dog approaches, do you get anxious? Any chance you tighten the leash or something? If so, he might sense it and think you need to be protected. He may have leash aggression. Try doing a search for leash aggression. I think there's a pamphlet/book called Feisty Fido that gives advice for handling the situation, if that's what's going on.

One more thing. When I thought my girl had leash aggression, I spoke with a behaviorist who recommended a local class in which they work on leash aggression with the dogs. It sounded really great, but then, of course, I was mistaken about Tae and realized she was only trying to play!

 

[mbisce]

Yes, this is not his play growl. I will do a search for leash aggression and try to get some pointers - thanks!

 

[VTbxrFan]

The training center I go to offers a special "rowdy rovers" class for dogs like yours - it allows people to do a group class, but it's small so the dogs aren't on top of each, and it's taught by a behaviorist rather than a trainer. Basically that class works on getting the dogs comfortable enough around other dogs so they can move to a regular training class. Ask around and see if you can find something similar - you aren't likely to find it at Petsmart training class, but a dedicated training center that offers a variety of specialty classes might help. Or you could try private classes with a behaviorist. Try to find some help now before it gets worse. Many dogs can make lots of progress with aggression towards other dogs with the help of an experienced behaviorist.