Successful Training Methods For Dog Aggression

[Erny]

I was booked in last month, but couldn't attend. There is a workshop up here in November, but i really need a personal assessment done with this dog.

Speak to Steve and see what he recommends. Perhaps a workshop attendance would be better than no consult at all ??? Your dog's issues are difficult, complex and serious. It deserves serious effort to consult someone most appropriate.

[corvus]

I've heard good things about Constructional Aggression Treatment http://ahimsadogtraining.com/blog/2008/03/...sion-treatment/

Unfortunately, it's very hard to do without some professional help and I don't know of anyone who does it in Australia. You need the co operation of a pretty bomb-proof dog or two as well. However, there is a lot to be said for slowly desensitising. Avoiding the trigger in the first place until you can increase tolerance to the trigger makes a lot of sense to me at least.

Incidentally, when my pup wants to go jump all over another dog when he's on leash, I stand still and wait for it to pass. It doesn't take him long to try sitting quietly instead, seeing as it often gets him what he wants in other situations. Then we approach the dog. Sometimes he doesn't get to because the other owner rushes their dog away. Sometimes I think THAT'S what's responsible for dog aggressive dogs. Kivi also gets ample opportunity to approach dogs without my intervention and learns from being snapped at sometimes. Last weekend he went to approach an aggressive dog, then changed his mind when she came towards him. He went low and waited politely for her to check him out. He's only 6 months old, so I reckon he's doing pretty well and am happy with how our approach has worked.

[Curly1]

Just my thoughts but I would get yourself a look at Cesar Millans "Mastering Leadership" Series of DVD's and get his book be "Be The Pack Leader" I use his techniques and find the change in my dogs and those of others who I train to be nothing short of amazing!! IMHO You will never get aggression under control if you do not display calm assertive leadership to your dog.

[Kelpie-i]

4Paws, working with a DA dog is like baking a souffle....there will be days when it goes well and then there will be days..

It is very normal for your dog to experience spontaneous recovery at any stage during the training process. This is when the dog makes a choice to revert back to his old behaviours. There is nothing wrong with this and comes part and parcel with the rehab process. It also serves as a very good reminder to never become complacent.

Are you able to tell me what has drawn your trainer to the conclusion that the aggression is "learned"?

If you have been making good progress up until the incident, I would not be looking at changing your methods just yet. I would be more inclined to analyse the situation and you may just find that there were probably certain triggers that set off the behaviour that you did not notice.

When dealing with DA dogs, a physical correction is only effective if the dog has been taught and mastered an alternative behaviour. Correcting a dog for behaving the only way he feels he should is unfair if he knows no other behaviour to revert to. If you have established good foundation work and taught the alternative behaviours to your dog, then a correction will work in "reminding" the dog what behaviour he should have chosen.

Don't despair 4Paws, just simply get straight back to it!

[Nekhbet]

That isn't the case with my dog. He's an angel at home and doesn't put a foot out of line and knows i'm the boss, but get out in public and he's another dog, doesn't listen or do a thing i say.

this says to me the dog is either

1) having problems coping with the outside world and it does not look to you for leadership in how to cope

2) happily controlling the home environment (hence the perceived notion of 'angel' at home) and outside the dog steps up the game.

If the dog considers you boss you are boss. Either way you are not the boss but a source of food and pats, probably on the dogs demand. I have a rotty they are bloody good at getting what they want when they want in a sneaky fashion. Getting someone to come in and watch how you interact with the dog is the first port of call, you may find a lot is on the dogs terms. Outside you are the LEAST interesting thing now hence the convenient deafness.

[Erny]

this says to me the dog is either

1) having problems coping with the outside world and it does not look to you for leadership in how to cope

2) happily controlling the home environment (hence the perceived notion of 'angel' at home) and outside the dog steps up the game.

Thanks Nekhbet .... I was thinking likewise.

[RL1]

That isn't the case with my dog. He's an angel at home and doesn't put a foot out of line and knows i'm the boss, but get out in public and he's another dog, doesn't listen or do a thing i say.

this says to me the dog is either

1) having problems coping with the outside world and it does not look to you for leadership in how to cope

2) happily controlling the home environment (hence the perceived notion of 'angel' at home) and outside the dog steps up the game.

If the dog considers you boss you are boss. Either way you are not the boss but a source of food and pats, probably on the dogs demand. I have a rotty they are bloody good at getting what they want when they want in a sneaky fashion. Getting someone to come in and watch how you interact with the dog is the first port of call, you may find a lot is on the dogs terms. Outside you are the LEAST interesting thing now hence the convenient deafness.

You make some good points there. Whether you're correct or not i'm not sure. I like your "convenient deafness" term, that's a good way of putting it. I won't go back over all the details, but i've had several trainers look at him over the past few years.

[Nekhbet]

without seeing the dog I am making generalisations and speculation. Though maybe remove the notion you are boss for the moment - not saying you are a bad owner some dogs are master manipulators! I'm sure someone here can recommend a trainer/behaviorist in your area that has dealt with these problems and solved them before.

We could be here all month bouncing ideas pity you're not here in Vic plenty of trainers who would help you in a heartbeat ... and I wouldnt pass up the chance for Rotty cuddles

you can try websites like www.leerburg.com he has many free articles and e-books available online. You dont have to directly apply what he does but he does have some free reading that is quite educational

[RL1]

I appreciate the advice Nekhbet, but i think i've finally arranged a meeting with the right person to have a look at my dog. To cut a long story short, my dog has a bad history and several trainers had no luck with him and the last one basically said i shouldn't even have him at my home. I'm hoping this trainer we're seeing will prove the rest wrong.

[Nekhbet]

I'm so happy for you! I hope it does work out good on you for sticking by your dog

[persephone]

*fingers crossed that THIS time, all will work out for you*

[lucylotto]

I am home training a new dog at present, different personality than I've had before and am finding your comments interesting.eg. letting them get a little close to other dogs and work out the danger signals.

excuse my ignorance but what makes a dog aggressive? Is it genes, environment or both? I can understand dogs are territorial and hierarchial when it comes to other dogs but not all dogs, whats the difference between those that are and those that are not?

I ask as not all dogs are or ever will be. eg. I have owned x3 labradors, a kelpie cross and none were aggressive towards people or other dogs nor had to be trained to be non aggressive. One of my labs had been badly abused (rescue dog) and he did bark at the news reader on TV (in a small country town)

My kelpie had the habit of rounding us up, ran around us in rings as we walked with pram to protect us and he would bark at strangers coming to the door. He died at 12yrs and had never gone at anyone or dog. If the grandparents got too rough with the toddler he would gently place his mouth around their hand to say 'stop'. Do you think that was that potential aggression?

[Erny]

excuse my ignorance but what makes a dog aggressive? Is it genes, environment or both?

Genetics + Experience + Present Environment = Behaviour

I can understand dogs are territorial and hierarchial when it comes to other dogs but not all dogs, whats the difference between those that are and those that are not?

Taking into account the above components that make up for behaviour, it could be the body language of the other dog or, in cases where a threat or attack has previously occurred, the other dog's colour, size, breed, whether it is long haired, short haired, etc. etc. In regards to this latter possibility, it could be something where the dog has simply been traumatised - not necessarily 'attacked', especially in its younger impressionable phases. That's why lots of careful supervised socialisation with other dogs in the early puppy 'critical' period is so important.