Need advice on dominance -- no fun at the dog park anymore :(

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Hi there,

Brody is a happy, healthy, playful 14-month-old GoldenDoodle who, up until about 6 weeks ago, was quite content to play socially with all of his friends. Then one day, he went after his best friend while I was walking with other people/dogs (our usual group). He pinned this poor dog down, growling and trying to get at this dog's collar.

He did it the next day as well, and would do so in the bush so it was difficult to get to him to pull him off of the other dog.

To spare myself, and mostly the "victim" and his owner, I started going to a different dog park. Well, Brody continued doing it there too, and has now started dragging dogs around by their collars if he's able to.

He's not a vicious dog by any means, but obviously these dog owners don't want their dogs treated like this, and I don't like this behaviour either. What can I do? I dread going to the dog park now....

MJ

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Is Brody neutered?

[Marcia Stevens]

MJ.....I had the exact same thing happen with my Labradoodle "Tannor".....I used to take him to the dog park with my other Labradoodle Kodie.....we use to go about 4 days out of the week, and he loved it....never bothered another dog, got along with all the dogs....he was well behaved....then, all of a sudden one day at the dog park he basically attacked another dog and pinned the other dog down and acted very aggressive.....I seperated him from the other dog and took him home. I waited a couple weeks, then took him back....and, he did the same thing again....? He was about 12 -14 months when this all started. I can't take him to the dog park anymore, or really anywhere where there are dogs off leash...it is so weird because he is the sweetest dog.
So, we don't visit the dog park anymore..unless it's empty.....I'm not sure what to do about the behavior either....? Let me know if you figure anything out....

Take care,
Marcia "Kodie and Tannor"

[Pat & "Tucker"]

As Nancy asked- is he neutered?
I was going to type this all out and found a web site with the same idea:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5024509_stop-aggression-towards-other-dogs....
It's taken from the Dog Whisperer but it is the most common training method from many sources.
I use the words "sit and watch" when another dog is approaching- then the treat after the dog passes. Tucker has been really good with this except once in while when any dog resembling a pit bull or mix comes along- this just sets him off. I don't know why one certain type of dog would set him off like this b/c he has had no previous encounter/ problem with a dog like this. He get along fine with any other breed of dogs.
You have to start with the leash of course so you maintain control.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Humping is a dominance behavior.

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

Brody is probably going through adolescence.

Dexter went through a very brief period (around 10-12 months) where he thought he was more dominant than he was. Come to think of it, that all changed after we got Kirby (who put Dex in his place). Dex is now completely submissive to almost everyone (dogs and humans). I'm interested to see the advice you receive from others.

Has Brody been to obedience classes? Maybe he needs some on-leash socialization with other dogs where you can correct him? Even trips to the petstore could maybe help. Just a thought...

[DeeDee and Sheila]

Please don't get another dog until this is solved. These are aggression issues and I really think you should talk to your vet and/or a good trainer. I'm not saying this with my nose in the air. I had 3 hunting dogs and my last lab got into some dominance/aggression issues. The story did not end well, broke my heart, but I don't want to scare you. Please, just check it out with some professionals. Not going to the dog park could be the least of your issues if this escalates.