How can we stop our puppy from being aggressive towards other dogs?
Hi, I think this answer may have been asked before but I would appreciate any help we can get! Our beautiful one year old dog was attacked by a staffie about four months ago and now he is being agressive towards other dogs when we go out for walks. He has been to puppy training, has been neutered and is just the greatest dog ever with everyone and dogs he knows but when he meets other dogs of his size or a bit bigger he gets very defensive and unfriendly. Its now got to the point where I wont let him off the lead and my husband is having to take him out to play ball as I’m too worried we will bump in to other dogs! Does anyone have any advice? He is very loyal and a good learner so I dont know whether to take him back to his puppy trainer? Thanks, Ally
I think it would be worth going back to you trainer. Your dog is in defence mode and needs more socialising with other friendly dogs to learn again how to comunicate with other dogs. Because he is being defensive, he will be giving off body language signs to other dogs and they in turn will return with aggression so it becomes a vicious circle. My poor dog has a very high, curly tail carriage so gives off an aggressive posture without even knowing it, poor lad.
Your dog may be being aggressive if he is on the lead because he is frightened and can not use his ‘flight’ instinct so can only use his ‘fight’.
He is just scared and unsure at the moment, he is hitting maturity and not sure how to use it.
Get yourself back to training and use carefully selected dogs for him to socialise with again.
If you do meet other dogs in the street, try not to tense up and tighten the lead, have some treats or his favourite toy and distract him before he starts reacting to the other dog, then praise him once past if he ignored it.
If he is becoming a danger to other dogs, as a temepory preventitive measure, you could get a muzzle but make sure it is the type that he can open his mouth and pant when wearing.
Don’t give up and good luck.
Stop Aggressive Puppy Behavior