Behavioural Problem

[Shmurps]

Hi all,

My first post here

I'm looking for advice or suggestions to help me with my rescue Jack Russell, Maggie, who has aggression towards other dogs.

We have had Maggie for 18 months and she lives with our Kelpie x Sheltie, Murphy, who was also a rescue dog. They get on really well and when we introduced them there was an instant connection.

I cannont pin point the time that Maggie started this behaviour - aggression towards other dogs.

We have had home training, obedience classes and private training with a

behaviourist who also assesess rescue dogs. Maggie is really good with people and children.

She has never growled or shown teeth (at this point) and seems to have a tolerance distance of about 10-15 feet.

Her tail is wagging and there is a whole lot of barking and if left she will go on and on.

We walk every day and try to work on this especially when we pass other dogs. Some days are better than others.

She is never rewarded for bad behavior.

One of the reasons why I need to sort this out is that Murphy has been diagnosed with lymphoma. He is doing really well at the moment but I believe Maggie will need another canine friend.

Do you think Maggie needs canine interaction to help her rather than human?

Look forward to hear about any advice.

Jenny

[Jey]

There's tonnes of stuff on this topic across the forum. Might be a good start to search 'dog aggression' and go through that.

I'm sure others will reply with specific advice too.

[Kavik]

I would book into a good behaviourist who can tell you exactly what is going on and give you a program to deal with it.

[Kelpie-i]

Hi Shmurps, welcome to DOL.

Just a few queries regarding your post.

She has never growled or shown teeth (at this point) and seems to have a tolerance distance of about 10-15 feet.

Does this mean that she just goes into a full bark fest without giving a warning growl?

Her tail is wagging

This can mean any number of things, not necessarily friendly.

but I believe Maggie will need another canine friend.

This is a misconception. Maggie does not 'need' another friend, rather she will need training, exercise, guidance, leadership and a connection to YOU and coming from YOU. Another dog will be merely seen as company.

She is never rewarded for bad behavior

It's not so much a case of never 'rewarding' bad behaviour, it's more a case of how you handle it when it shows as well as WHAT you are rewarding.

Not sure what your previous trainer suggested, but you are best to seek the services of someone who has experience in dealing with dog aggression and follow a program of leadership, desensitisation, training and teaching of alternate behaviours.

Where abouts are you Shmurps? We may be able to point you into the direction of someone who can help you. If you are in Melbourne (North West suburbs), please feel free to PM me.

[Shmurps]

Thanks to all who replied so far.

Thanks for your help too Kelpie-i.