euripides

Not really, only very occasionally. We just haven't had the opportunity. The neighbors had large hunting dogs. A friend brought their small dogs around once but they growled at each other through the screen door and we decided not to risk it. At puppy classes we had to keep the dogs apart. To me he was unmistakably being aggressive to the staffy, lunging forward and growling with hackles up. It was out the front of our old house. A stray Coolie visited us a couple of weeks ago and they played together quite well, he was being dominant but not aggressive in the same way. The youngster wasn't all that interested in him so maybe that made a difference, I don't know. In retrospect I was lucky they didn't fight, I don't know how I would have managed if they had. (Yep, total brain bypass on that occasion). Maybe I'm wrong but I think I'll take the advice regarding getting expert help. I really don't want to have a nasty dogfight on my hands. He does play with the cat (sort of - sometimes they get along quite well and investigate bugs in the garden together) and gets lots of human company. I agree it's sad he hasn't had a chance to play with other dogs, but he isn't neglected and gets lots of love and play. I'm doing my best to be a good and responsible owner. Not always getting it right, I admit.

actually it kinda does. Same as with dogs. Catch them being good. Cuddle, praise, describe the specific behavior....

I use a bridge word (for us it's 'yes') rather than the clicker because I found that I got in a huge tangle with lead, treats and clicker, I just couldn't get it together. It works fine for us as we aren't doing precision training, just regular home obedience. Later on if we get into agility I might switch back to the clicker, I don't imagine he'd have any issues with making a change. If there's treats involved he'll get the idea!

This is interesting. I wonder if the pup feels that Poochmad is in fact keeping him safe while eating, preventing other pack members from stealing the food? Our boy likes to lie with his head on our feet if we're sitting down and he hasn't been invited onto a lap. He also likes to sit very physically close to us as much as possible. I think dogs just like close contact, it seems to make them feel secure. Ours does have a bit of a dominant streak but I think he's fairly clear on where he stands. I make him wait while I go through the door first. We were told not to play Tug with him, or if we do, to always win. I ask him to take his chews onto his mat so that the carpet doesn't get messy.

How old is he? When did he come home from the boarding kennel? Was he in a run with another dog, or next to other dogs? Do you train him? He's two. He'd only been back from the kennel for a couple of days, but we are also moving house, so there's alot of upheaval. He was next to other dogs. He hates the kennel and is always 'wired' for a week after, though was better this time. We try to take him with us whenever we can, I hate kennels. He never eats enough there either. We do train him. Somewhat inconsistently I'll admit - that's something I'm working on improving, and I want to go back to the training classes for that reason. He's generally well behaved at home but I need to improve his heel, stay and recall. He's a very smart boy and works things out very quickly so it only needs a bit of effort on my part for him to do well. He's keen too - as soon as there's a treat in my hand he's trying to guess what command I'm going to give! I've put the idea on hold for now, until we've been to some training classes and I've had a chance to chat with the instructors.

and------------- your dog has picked up on this- so he may be 'getting in first' best get a behaviourist in- to assess and explain the communication sent&received between you,your dog, and other dogs/humans. I don't think that's entirely the case - I was quite relaxed about him meeting the staffy and was quite surpised by his behavior. Distrust was perhaps the wrong choice of word. The fact is that all dogs are capable of biting or aggression in some situations and I wouldn't expect otherwise: they're dogs. That's what they do. I'm aware that I don't understand dog 'language' as well as I might, and not knowing a particular dog's history (and knowing how many idiots hit and otherwise abuse their dogs, creating fear-based aggression) I think treating a strange dog with respect is wise. However I usually have no problem with them. I try to use appropriate body language such as not staring them in the face and turning my body to one side. That said, I see your point, and I think that 'picked up' aggression is probably going to be MORE of a problem now that I've realized that the little rotter is likely to go on the offensive. Now the dust is starting to settle from our house-move, and I'll give the kennel club a ring once I can dig out the newsletter. I'll definitely be getting expert help on this issue. If it turns out that we need to be a one-dog household, that's okay.

I'd heard that puppies tend to follow around and be subordinate, but I've also heard a horror story with a larger breed dog and puppies... plus he does give the cat a bit of a hard time. I'm working on rewarding good behavior around the cat... though it's harder to catch him being good than to catch him dragging him by the tail!

Thanks Deelee, yes I ALWAYS keep him on a leash when he's outside our gate, and I've carefully dogproofed the fence. I haven't been to an offleash area with him as we have a massive block and I don't see the point in risking a dogfight, primarily because I've always distrusted other people's dogs, didnt' realize he was going to be so aggro. People seem to automatically bring their dogs up to 'say hello' ... it's crazy isn't it. Same as kids running up to pat dogs. My kids know to always ask owners if they may pat a dog. (Even then I'm not always keen on the idea, since there's so many stupid owners around, and even smart ones can have a brain bypass on occasion, like I did!)

Sure, sure, I'll be more careful as in keeping them away from each other. I wouldn't want him to harm another dog and I wouldn't want the vet bills either. (I don't mean that to sound mercenary... it's reality though, I can't afford extra bills ATM. I'd be utterly devestated if he hurt another dog or got hurt himself. I'll make sure it doesn't have the opportunity to happen. I'm kicking myself for being so stupid thismorning, I should know better) I don't know if we have a dog behaviorist here - gosh I hope they don't charge as much as human psychologists. They people at the kennel club are fantastic though and seem to know their stuff. I know they've been away to the city on courses so they probably have some sort of qualifications. I'm so upset by this. I'd so hoped to get another dog. I certainly won't do anything until we've seen someone about it - maybe he needs to be an only dog

I'd like some advice on socializing my dog, please. I'll be returning to puppy classes soon, so I'll be able to get some eyes-on expert advice then, but in the meantime, if you've any suggestions, I'd really appreciate it. My JRT-cross (male, desexed) has met other dogs when walking, and usually 'stands up to them' but doesn't growl or anything. He usually seems keen to meet them. He's had a brief play with a stray in our yard, and they seemed okay, not comfortable but not nasty. Then today I tried to introduce him to a friend's dog (a non-desexed staffy female) and he was extremely agressive and we had to separate them quickly to avoid a fight. Her dog seemed to be being quite submissive, tail wagging. He wasn't wagging his tail but his body posture SEEMED the same as it has been in the past when meeting others. I was rather taken aback by his aggression. Luckily no harm came of it this time and I'll be FAR more careful in the future. However I'm hoping to get another dog so I'm very worried about how this will go. How I should introduce the new dog in the first place, and whether I should get one at all, and if I do, whether I should go for an adult (as I'd planned) or a puppy. I'm not sure that I'd trust him with a very little puppy. Someone had suggested that puppies don't create a power struggle, but I think the additional attention that pups need might create resentment. I wonder if part of the agression stems from the fact that we've just moved house and he has been in a boarding kennel, and with all the upheaval, maybe he's a bit territorial at the moment? With his humans he's a very affectionate and obedient dog. He does have strong terrier instincts though and I have to keep an eye on the cat. any thoughts on socialization with other dogs would be most appreciated. Helen