Help! Our Dog Attacks Visiting Dog

There are two possible causes for dog on dog aggression or the problem may be a combination of both. First he may not have learnt proper socializing skills with other dogs. Secondly he may not accept you as alpha dog so he thinks he has to protect you his lower pack member form other dogs.

The solution is therefore to address both these issues. First do the alpha dog training course with him asserting yourself as leader of the pack also do basic obedience with him. At this stage in his anit-aggression obedience training this may have to be at home rather than in a class. As your dog comes to accept you as leader he should be more respondent to your commands in the presence of other dogs. Secondly you need to introduce your dog to other friendly dogs in a calm and non-threatening way. This is best done in neutral territory such as at a park with a dog who's owner is willing to cooperate. Keep your dog under control on a leash and preferably a head collar so he cannot pull or lunge towards the other dog.

Head collars are sold under many brand names including halti and gentle leader but are basically all the same. The idea is that instead of the collar going around the neck the collar goes around the nose but also has a part that clips behind the ears to hold it on. The lead is attached to a ring that hangs under the nose and when the dog pulls the nose band tightens. This is no way hurts the dog it is just annoying for the dog like someone holding your nose. However the main idea of the design is that the dog is attached to the lead via its nose and head rather than its neck and shoulder area where its powerful muscles are. The dog cannot pull you using only its nose so you can assert full control over the dogs behaviour. Because the dog cannot pull you towards other dogs on walks or lunge it learns to react more calmly to the situation and also to look to you for guidance as to how to react because you are in control of it. If you do decide to try the head collar it is important that you read the instructions that come with it in order for it to work properly especially the instructions on introducing your dog to the head collar as dogs may initially dislike having a band around their nose.

When your dog is familiar with the head collar start using it as a tool to socialize it with other dogs. Start with the other dog at quite a distance ignoring any bad behavior from your dog and rewarding any calm non aggressive behavior. As your dog becomes calmer you can bring the other one slightly closer. This will have to be done very slowly over several sessions and with many dogs. This same procedure can be used to introduce your dog to other dogs at your house but remember your dog may tend to be more aggressive at home especially until it has accepted that you don't need protection because you are the pack leader. The overall goal is to let your dog know that you are the leader and you expect calm behavior.

Also always be cautious when handling your dog making sure that it does not redirect its aggression at you. The headcollar can be useful here as puling downwards on it will shut the jaw but remember it is not a muzzle ad there is still a need for caution.

If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to ask.

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