Dog aggressive in car

[Louby]

Hi, sorry I dont seem to visit here very much but wanted to ask if anyone had any advice?

Our lurcher is just 4 yr old, he is an uncastrated male, never had any reason to have him castrated. Not rude, not agressive, placid, quiet, timid (too) boy. Well the last few months hes become aggressive whilst in the car. Not to me but to any passing dog. He growls, barks and looks like he would attact them if he got out. Out on walks hes fine although he has started to be a bit funny with dogs on leads????

Nothings happened to him to cause this. He was attacked by a Staffy a bit back and an Alsation a few years ago which made him a bit more defensive.

Im not against having him castrated but wonder if at 4 this is the reason behind why hes suddenly changed and whether or not it would improve him. Also I realise there are risks involved with castrating older dogs.
Any advice or ideas as to why hes changed. Thanks for any advice.

 

[CAYLA]

The lovely Boris
It is not so uncommon for this reaction in the car or indeed on the lead, its sometimes a barrier defense/frustration, in the car and on the lead are both forms of restraint barrier and they can get a little frenzied in the car coupled with the excitement of going somewhere.
How does he travel in the car and could you crate and cover him or have an enclosed travel box made to settle him in the car?
Have you tried any focus training when out and him on lead, high reward and his attention on you with said reward till past the dog coupled with a short sharp reprimand if his attention is taken away and straight back to a reward for fixed attention.
Have you tried a trainer if you worried are deep routed? so they can cast an eye.
He is not at high risk for castration regarding his age and it will certainly not hinder your training to have him done but it's not a necessity if you really dont want that, try a little intense training first.

 

[Kaylum]

Castration and I think you will find he is a different dog. As for travelling my dogs are I'm the boot with a dog guard. They love looking out as they do at home. But I think you have answered your own question.

 

[Louby]

Yes its Boris Awww, you have a fantastic memory Cayla

He travels on the back seat, god Im making this sound worse now arent I. He started of in the boot (hatchback!) but used to poo, wee and be sick so we tried him on the back seat and he travelled fine. I bought a crate for the back seat but being a lurcher, he soon outgrown it and I cant get anything bigger to fit. He isnt diving about or anything, just very focussed on the dog.

We arent against castration, it just never seemed to be needed, hes never been a problem in any way that made this a priority.

We havent tried a trainer, we do tell him off and he stops for a moment, then starts again, til we are passed it. I was shocked last night as he seen his brother, in another car and I was stopped talking to its owner. Both dogs were excited, wagging, then he started growling. He knows this other dog well, although he hasnt seen him for a while.

We will try the intense training, although being a Lurcher, he isnt very foody. We have talked about castration but husband cringes at the idea lol, I think he thinks as it as a man would lol.

Thanks Kaylum, I think you are right and castration seems the way to go if there is no improvement soon.

Thanks again

 

[mollichop]

One of mine does this too (he is castrated). Any passing dog is a potential target but it seems like he finds it fun to shout at them as opposed to outright aggression towards the dog (although this is what it looks and sounds like). As soon as we have passed them, he is fine and almost looks a bit embarassed at what he has done.

Also, as he knows there is nothing I can do as i'm driving, he gets away with it. talking to him or shouting at him to stop does nothing.

I travel them in the back of the truck with a dog guard.

Have threatened him with a water pistol!