Help with dog that is aggresive around other dogs

olop

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My 3 year old female SBT x Jack Russell is quite aggresive around other dogs & I was wanting ideas on how to stop it.

She was attacked by a dog when she was 6 months old & that is how we happened to re-home her as she belonged to a friend & she couldnt keep her with her other dog anymore(apparently the other dog initiated the fight but she came out worse off)

She is fine with my mum's wippet cross & she happily plays with other dogs on the yard. She just doesnt tolerate other dogs when we are walking out & about.

She doesnt actually bite, she just gets quite defensive, her hairs stand up & she runs after them snarling & generally making a lot of nasty sounding noises :eek:

She is very good with people, she is well trained (comes to call, sit, cage trained etc) but its just this problem with new dogs we meet up with when out & about.

She is particulary more aggresive when someone's dog comes up to her & wont leave her alone. She is fine if meeting dogs on the lead.

Has anyone any ideas??

I was wondering about social classes but I cant seem to find any in my area, they are more like training classes which I dont really think would benefit her as she is a super little dog apart from this problem.

I am based in Essex if anyone knows of any socialisation classes.

TIA :)
 

CAYLA

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I would stop her running to dogs to growl/raise her hackles, she is no doubt warding them off but you are allowing her to think it acceptible and allowing the behaviour to esculate. Call her to you and keep her at heel or on the lead in such instances. Use focus, primula couple with a clicker and a command "watch" obs this has to be done at home and NOT when out on the actual work, it's all about the home work you put in in order to use the training in the instances you need it, its a gradual process.

In regard to her being on lead and other dogs coming to her (fair play) they are being pests, I would again try and hold her focus and IGNORE the other dogs like it does not exist (as you too will be getting het up to) so train yourself to relax and walk on by like their is only you and your little dog in the whole world (look ignorant like I do):p, walk on (never stop) and stand still and allow the situation to come to a stand still, you give the messsage that "this dog is no big deal and we have places to get to" and march on. Tell the owner politely to call their dog away, if not and it persists and you feel it a threat (boot/block the dog) I did the other day and it was not really a threat (I was just in no mood):p, 2 girls with a spaniel (SPANIEL OFF LEAD WONDERING ALL OVER) I had a large dog aggressive dog on lead, and the pathetic tit of a girl says "buddy, buddy, buddy" over and over, and buddy heads straight for me, I put my foot out and blocked buddy and scowled "get away", they looked at me like I was (mad):rolleyes: they never said a word, usually Im ready for the argument part too, I always let them speak first like "why did you do that" and then I would "REPLY" ;) by the look on my face I think they knew not to say a word;) as it happens the lurchers was not bothered, its just that day I was!!!

She is obs not aggressive as given the opportunity she will mix and happily play with dogs, she just does not like strange dogs pestering her, but you need to redirect her attentions and not allow any unwanted behaviour to carry on (like the running at other dogs)

It's sounds like it's more working on your walks and your handling aswell as hers:)
 

olop

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Thanks for the tips - am willing to give anything a go, she really is a lovely little dog & when she does play with her friends she always looks so happy, to get her to be like that with every dog would be great :)
 

CorvusCorax

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I wouldn't actually call her aggressive either, sounds like a lot of noise to make the other dog leave her alone/self defence but agree I wouldn't let her go and gob off at other dogs.
If she was truly aggressive she'd be finishing the job/leaving holes in the other dog. It doesn't sound nice and it's a bit rude, but it's probably sortable with redirection, as mentioned above.
 

olop

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Thank you, it can be really embarrassing & I sometimes feel like i have to explain her behaviour as a lot of people see her as an aggresive breed (the SBT) & the fact she is gobbing off so I feel really bad, I'm just lucky we havent met one that has a go back as I don't know what the reaction would be then!
 

Cinnamontoast

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Get a trainer, too. She sounds similar to one of mine who just hates other dogs but is fine if he is introduced properly. He too was attacked as a youngster and now has to mouth off and defend himself.
 
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