fear aggression? please HELP

Hi Michelle,

sounds like your dog is a bit of a handful at the moment.
I'm confident that with the right training and some time investment he will turn out to be an awesome dog.
Perhaps he has taken advantage of your lack of knowledge or leadership as you mentioned.

One thing is very important: Everyone in your household has to have a higher rank than he does, you and your partner need to be the Alpha Dogs, if you have any children he needs to accept commands from them just as readily as from you. He is at the bottom of the pack, no matter what.
It's the best place for him to be, because it means that he is well taken care of. He won't have to worry about hunting his own food, you will provide it for him (keeping the best piece for yourself of course), he won't have to worry about strangers or other dogs entering your territory, as you will take care of it. He can just be relaxed.
He won't have to worry about protecting you from strange dogs on your walks, as you are the one taking care of him.
Honestly, dogs that live in a family and clearly know their status is at the bottom of the pack are the most reliable, relaxed and happy dogs.
This is what you should aim for.

Sounds like there are a few issues. Separation anxiety, ignoring commands and aggression. Could you please explain in more detail what happened during the fights? Did he bark at the dogs and then attack? Where the other dogs on a leash the whole time? Did he bite? How did you separate them?
Have you got a fully fenced yard where he could run around without a leash before you take him for a walk?
Thanks!
John

[QUOTE=LetsPlay;3022]Hi Michelle,

sounds like your dog is a bit of a handful at the moment.
I'm confident that with the right training and some time investment he will turn out to be an awesome dog.
Perhaps he has taken advantage of your lack of knowledge or leadership as you mentioned.

One thing is very important: Everyone in your household has to have a higher rank than he does, you and your partner need to be the Alpha Dogs, if you have any children he needs to accept commands from them just as readily as from you. He is at the bottom of the pack, no matter what.
It's the best place for him to be, because it means that he is well taken care of. He won't have to worry about hunting his own food, you will provide it for him (keeping the best piece for yourself of course), he won't have to worry about strangers or other dogs entering your territory, as you will take care of it. He can just be relaxed.
He won't have to worry about protecting you from strange dogs on your walks, as you are the one taking care of him.
Honestly, dogs that live in a family and clearly know their status is at the bottom of the pack are the most reliable, relaxed and happy dogs.
This is what you should aim for.

Sounds like there are a few issues. Separation anxiety, ignoring commands and aggression. Could you please explain in more detail what happened during the fights? Did he bark at the dogs and then attack? Where the other dogs on a leash the whole time? Did he bite? How did you separate them?
Have you got a fully fenced yard where he could run around without a leash before you take him for a walk?
Thanks!
John[/QUOTE]

Hi, Details of the fight. Jake was off his lead and the two terriers were on long extendable leads. One of the dogs barked at Jake and Jake barked back, with that the two dogs on leads ran towards him and they were all biting each others faces. I got one of the dogs away with my foot. To separated Jake and the brown terrier I had hold of each of their collars and pulled them apart (after 3 attemps). Jake ended up with at scrape from is ear to his jawline.

One other episode of aggression: jake was off his lead playing with 4 othe dogs. One of the owners was swinging her dogs lead and tangled her dog in it. She lifted her dogs front legs and it snarled at her. Jake went straight into red alert and went to see what was happening and proceeded to nip the dogs neck - I had to go and get him as he would not "leave it" I can see what my mistake was but how to I get him back?

We live in a small house in the countryside, no children yet we are trying to tackle these problems first lol. We can throw a ball in our garden for Jake to chase before we go on a walk! We work full time so we walk him for 20 mins before and 45 mins after. Hope this helps and if you need anymore info let me know. Thank you!

Hi Becks, thank you so much for your response! I know which dogs will bark at Jake so I can prepare in advance now I know the correction and then praise when calm and focusing on me. I will make sure he spends more time with his calm Friends, Sammy, Buster, Toby & Flossy. Me and my partner are working on ignoring Jake when we get in from work and he is calming down much quicker. Also going back to basics with sit and stay which does work when passing agressive dogs in the street. One problem I would love to solve is when we have travelled somewhere in the car and its time to get out he is just so excited he scrambles until he is out on the ground - I am worried that he will hurt himself (2 door car) as we have to let the seat forward and unseatbelt him before he can go anywhere. Any tips would be much appreciated