Increasing Aggression on Walks???

[Becky and Murphy]

Hi...I have a 2 year old Australian Labradoodle, medium size...40 lb male named Murphy.  He is absolutely the LOVE of our life.  He's like an only child...as we are in our 50's and our Grandchildren live 2 hours away....so he's alone with us most of the time.  He loves company and people.  However....recently on our daily walks (leash always on)...when we approach another dog with it's owner, Murphy starts whining, and eventually barks, and if we try to meet in the middle of the street to let them sniff, he becomes very anxious and tries with all of his might to surge toward the dog, and approaches with a meaner sounding bark, he becomes very jealous seeming...and continues with an obnoxious bark.  It's a little rude, and I know he's still young, but it seems to be getting worse, and I'm not quite sure how to handle it.  I have never had him in training class (I know...I know...). Is there anyone who has had this problem?  Or any suggestions on how to handle this?  I've tried to have him "sit"....as we approach a dog, to try and gain control, and make him settle down, but nothing seems to help.  I woud appreciate any similar stories, or helpful hints on how to fix this.  I want him to have good manners, and not be obnoxious....which he only is when we are in that situation.  Thanks for listening!!!

Becky

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, many of us have had this problem, and we've had many discussions here about it. Here's a recent discussion about this that will give you some ideas and some good information that may help:

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/new-thing-aggressive-on-wa...

Your dog does need training, though. There's no way around that, and no advice that anyone here can give you that will fix this one issue. What will "fix" this is a training program in which you learn how to teach your dog how you expect him to behave in all situations, and in which he knows that you are in control of all situations and all he has to do is take his cues from you. It doesn't have to be classes, but you do need to start a training program before this escalates to the point that only a professional can handle him at all. Good luck.

[Becky and Murphy]

Thank you very much for this very helpful information....I hope it's fixable!  I will be searching for a trainer ASAP!  Thank you again for taking the time!!

[Katherine]

Think of your 2 year old dog as being similar to an 18-20 year old boy (and who has no sexual outlet) - a fair proportion of them develop aggressive behavior, and most have frustrations.

As with 18-20 year boys it's all about

a) enabling them to get out their energy - increased physical and mental stimulation helps (a friend of mine signed himself and his dog up for being a rescue dog)

b) setting boundaries / discipline - training is key here and as a last resort limit dog park events (another friend of mine had a big and very aggressive dog, and simply had to stop interactions with male dogs for a few years). Find and establish a relationship with the dogs/owners he doesn't react like that with. My friends dog and mine got along fine, and we would meet at odd hours in odd places (ensuring no dogs around) and the dogs would play off the leash - great events both for my friend and his dog (and us).

c) protecting others - make sure you monitor if it progresses to a stage where he is a real risk to other dogs. An attack would be horrible for all of you.

d) knowing this too will pass - it's a phase, and even the worst of the teen boys grow up. It's not really a reflection on your dog and don't see it as such - it's just a phase he goes through before he settles down (and the settling down will be quicker and better if the other measures are done)

Of course with dogs, unlike teen boys, neutering is also a potential measure if not already done.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm pretty sure this dog is already neutered, so an outlet for sexual aggression is not applicable here. Leash aggression is usually part of a fight or flight response; many dogs who are perfectly fine with other dogs when they are not leashed, i.e. at dog parks, become extremely dog reactive when they are on leash with their person. It's a dominance behavior and also usually has to do with fear/protective instincts.

Unfortunately, this behavior doesn't pass, and adult dogs don't just grow out of it. In fact, it usually gets worse very quickly. The dog needs a solid training program so that he can learn to trust that his owner has control of the situation and place his focus on her.

[Becky and Murphy]

Thank you so very much for this SO very helpful information....I AM ON a mission to get Murphy in training ASAP....now just need to find the right trainer!!  Thank you again. And yes....he was neutered at 9 weeks.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Becky, join the Training Group, for insight into what to look for in a trainer as well as lots of discussions on dog reactiveness.. Lots of good info there.  

[Becky and Murphy]

Thank you so much for your helpful insight.  I so appreciate it.  I am actively searching for a trainer! Thank you again.

[Diane and Alma]

We have a 3 year old GD named Alma.  She also has issues with some dogs when on leash.  She is great at the dog park and at the kennel (she always gets the "party girl" status).  Here's what I have found works for us: 

I walk her every day along a popular route so we always encounter other dogs.  Sometimes she passes them with no problem, other times she will growl (go figure), and if the dog tries to sniff her privates she will let the other dog know she doesn't like it.  I always warn the other dog owner that Alma is protective on leash.  She is friends with several dogs and we always stop and let them greet each other with no problem. 

I always have treats in my pocket when we are on a walk.  I have a retractable leash so whenever I see another dog approaching I shorten the length and tell her to "walk" (I don't like the term heal.)  She walks by my side until we pass the other dog.  If she doesn't react I give her a treat and praise her.  If she does react, I correct her and get her attention on me.  I have been doing this for some time, and now I only have to shorten the leash and tell her to walk - I don't always treat her, but after we pass, I tell her to "walk on" as I release the leash length which she loves.

I'm not sure if this issues is "fixable."  This is what works for us.  I have resigned myself to the fact that Alma likes some dogs better than others.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

We have had a lot of discussion about retractable leashes here, and the fact that they can be very dangerous for both the owner and the dog. In addition, they encourage the dog to pull and give the owner has no real control. I would strongly suggest that you do some research on this. here's one recent discussion: http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/freedom-no-pull-harness?co...

On-leash dog reactiveness is definitely fixable, but there is no quick fix. Like any other behavioral issue, from counter surfing to barking to jumping, etc., you cannot "fix" just one issue, it all requires a solid training program and a relationship of mutual trust between you and the dog.

The term "Heel" refers to the fact that the dog is to walk right by your side, at your heel. Why do you have an issue with it?

[Diane and Alma]

I'm happy with the retractable leash.  Alma doesn't pull and she can go off and sniff as we walk along our grassy/wooded path.  When I want her by my side I tell her to walk.  I know what "heel" means and I just prefer to use the word walk.

[Christine & Camus]

Many years ago I had a dog that was leash aggressive/protective.  When I spoke to my vet about it he asked me one question "Do you pull her close to you when you walk by another dog on leash?"  My answer was yes.  He then explained to me that I had actually trained her to react by giving her mixed signals!  She was my first dog sand we did go to training classes, but I made a mistake that was not addressed in any of the classes.  I have not done that with the two dogs I have had since and neither of them have had any problems on leash.  They knew/know how to heel but there is a difference in training them to heel vs the way I would protectively pull Roxanne closer to me. 

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

You are not alone. I have the same problem with Monty. It started shortly after he turned 2. Off leash is perfectly fine, no interest in other dogs. On leash is a different story. I found a trainer and had a consultation session with her. She even brought in one of her "reactive" dogs. And guess what? Monty did not go into a frenzy at all, quite the opposite: he avoided the other dog. Go figure. So our trainer has never seen Monty react, but we've been through 6 weeks of classes. I walk him with a clicker and treats in the pocket. Sometime it works, sometime it does not. I just have to catch him before his blood starts boiling. It's hard, but we need to work on it.