my dachshund is aggressive towards other dogs

Find calm dogs behind fences. So once your dog is calmer, and positive associations have been formed, then you can start asking your dog to perform an alternate, replacement behavior which will take the place of the barking, growling, and lunging. A better option may be to, once again, enlist the help of a dog behavior consultant who owns a calm, bomb-proof stimulus dog who doesn't react should your reactive dog bark, growl, or lunge, and who is good at sending calming signals. Note that very similar steps can be used to desensitise dogs to other fears, such as fear of men or fear of loud trucks. Yes, this is behavioral management. However, using long-term avoidance strategies does nothing to help an anxious dog learn how to cope with his triggers (in this case, the presence of other dogs). If your dog must go out to potty, make sure to arrange these outings at times when there are fewer dogs around. Keep an eye on your walks for any upcoming dogs. This can make identifying the alpha dog tricky. There are a variety of specific reasons your dog may act aggressive to other canines while you're out on a walk. I am glad your dog recovered and you need to pat yourself on the back for that because it's not easy! If the dogs are separated, make sure they cannot see and aggressively posture at each other through gates, doors or windows. Practice at home. This brings us to the next step, which is making sure your dog is not overwhelmed so that he is in a calmer state and relaxed enough to take treats. This can be people food, too, as long as they are suitable for dogs (not on the toxic-to-dogs list) and don't cause trouble to your dog (digestive upset, allergies, etc.). Devika Primi from Dubrovnik, Croatia on November 23, 2019: Informative about aggressive dogs when walking your dog. Just watch his reaction after you give one small piece. Make sure to come back here though as there is much more to be aware of when it comes to behavior modification. Body language is used to convey that they want to interact or that they want to avoid an aggressive confrontation. Some dogs may be predisposed to aggression if they were not well socialized as puppies, have experienced social trauma (human or dog related), or lack good training. In the picture above, you can almost feel the tension as these two dogs meet with tight leashes. Short of relegating the dog to the yard or walking the dog in the wee hours of the night, what are dog owners left to do? Sessions should be short and frequent. Consider though that, while your dog may enjoy treats in the comfort of the home, things may change when you are out and about in a distracting area where other dogs are around. Other common causes of aggression involve changes within the household that lead to an unstable hierarchy, such as the addition of a new dog, social maturity of a puppy (occurs around 3 years of age), declining health of an aging pet, or loss of a canine or human family member. One of the biggest obstacles to behavior modification is indeed encounters that are too close and progressing in the process too fast. Whenever another dog approaches, not only does the dog feel stressed about this potential danger, but it learns that abuse is forthcoming from its own handler. Walk your dog at a time when there aren't too many dogs being walked. The overall safety of the situation should also be evaluated. Some dogs can take treats even when overwhelmed (they often do so nervously, eating quickly and roughly from your hands). Just like people, some dogs may not have the social skills to properly engage with other dogs. This often causes them to feel worn out, to the point that they seriously consider no longer walking their dogs, or even worse, giving up on them. Aversive training has been associated with detrimental effects on the human-animal bond, problem-solving ability, and the physical and behavioral health of the patient. So, arm yourself with lots of tasty treats and go for a walk. For most dogs, the quickest way to induce a positive emotional state is to feed them. With proper management, improvement is seen in 96% of cases, with median improvement in aggression rated at 69%. Basically, the dogs have to earn everything they get, including food, treats, toys, petting and owner attention. Below is a list of tips for walking a dog who is aggressive towards other dogs. Is he looking up adoringly wanting more? Safety is important because behavior modification for dog aggression also comes with some risks. Organic, low-sodium hot dogs cut into thin slices. I am a former veterinarian assistant and currently a certified dog trainer. However, this doesn't mean you should put your dog in risky situations. Now that you have found the distance from which your dog is under threshold, you can start working on forming positive associations. Contrary to what well-meaning dog owners may believe, repeated attempts to socialize a dog with other dogs can end up increasing the reactive behavior. The process of such gradual exposure in behavior terms is known as desensitization. Sure, you stop screaming and stomping, but now, not only are you still afraid of mice, but you are scared of your therapist too! The problem was that it got him anxious when seeing other dogs that were barking or pulling. Took quite some time for them to recover. You can read more about a dog's threshold by reading this article on a dog's threshold levels. Once you have found a place/distance where your dog is under threshold, it's important to add powerful behavior modifications techniques that aim to change your dog's underlying emotions as outlined below. Medication alone does not usually lead to successful resolution of the aggression. Walking a dog that is aggressive towards other dogs can feel like an enormous task. Depending on the situation, one or all of these techniques may be recommended. First, the dogs should be examined to rule out physical problems that may contribute to aggression, such as hormone disorders or painful conditions (e.g. Make sure to properly condition your dog to wear one, considering that any stress associated with improper conditioning can reduce a dog's threshold for aggression. Does he seem enthusiastic about it? Turn and move away before the other dog is too close. Studies have shown that up to 50% of aggressive dogs also suffer from separation anxiety, while 30% suffer from phobias or generalized anxiety. Your dog may do well at a distance with certain dogs, but perhaps the sight of a younger dog who moves a lot, walks at a certain speed, or a dog who barks at that same distance your dog was previously comfortable with may create a setback. Fluoxetin is an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor). There was no visible damage, because yes my dog was already a lot bigger even then. This is exactly the wrong thing to do. A multi-tiered support system is often needed to tackle the problem from different angles. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior's Position Statement on the Use of Dominance Theory in Behavior Modification of Animals recommends that "veterinarians not refer clients to trainers or behavior consultants who coach and advocate dominance hierarchy theory and the subsequent confrontational training that follows from it.". Dogs that are not well socialized may also have poor communication skills. How can you know? Here is a simple guide on the process. You are, therefore, taken to a therapist who tells you he will stop your phobia once and for all. Obedience training, regular exercise and spaying/neutering are also helpful. In other words, you have to prevent the rehearsal of the problem behavior. Your dog may never become a social butterfly that is eager to meet any and all dogs, but it can learn to be more comfortable and less likely to lose it in the presence of other dogs. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Every interaction should be initiated and stopped by the owner, not the dog. Reputable professionals and organizations oppose their use. When used in combination with the Nothing in Life is Free program, dogs learn the order in which each will receive a resource, and the dog that receives the resource second must wait until the first dog has the opportunity to earn the resource. This program helps to create better communication and consistent interactions between the dogs and owner. If your dog is aggressive towards other dogs and you fear he may bite, safety is paramount. Aggression can be treated. The use of a muzzle may also allow owners to relax a bit knowing that at least the worst-case scenario they have in their mind (the dog biting) is unlikely to happen. Dogs should be taught to sit and stay at a safe distance apart when stopping to cross streets. Heeling with eye contact is a great focusing exercise, as is sitting and gazing at the handler. The tone of the handlers should be happy and upbeat. This helps provide a bit of a barrier and can make some dogs feel a little more safe and secure. So he exposes you to a mouse and you start screaming and stomping your feet. Aggression may be dominance-related, territorial, possessive, or caused by fear/anxiety. Here you can find a guide on how to muzzle train your dog. Ask your instructor for more advice. The pets are then asked to obey obedience commands and rewarded with treats, play or attention. If you fail to address the dog's internal (emotional state), you're just putting a bandage on top of an infected wound. It can happen that one day, an off-leash dog or a dog who pulls an owner causes a too-close encounter, which may evoke biting. Don't put your dog in situations that evoke his lunging, barking, and growling. If the dogs are intact, aggression may be hormone driven. Practice having your dog watching them calmly in the car. This is especially important if your dog has a history of biting. This would be ideal. Have a plan to distract any potential off-leash dogs coming your way. It can be used as well in the more advanced stages, when a dog happens to come too close for comfort and you haven't had an opportunity to work on such close encounters yet. If the dog is aggressive because of pain, pain medication may be indicated. But what if someone handed you a one hundred dollar bill every time you saw a spider? We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. Copyright 2022 AWLQ. This is not a time to be stingy, so skip those stale cookies you have been keeping on the shelf for a long time, and definitely skip using kibble since your dog gets that every day. Avoid any trainers/behavior consultants who use aversive and outdated training methods. Countless dog owners dread walking their aggressive/reactive dogs as they feel deep embarrassment about their behavior. They even allow dogs to eat treats. The dogs should be under absolute control with leashes, head halters, and/or basket muzzles as necessary. On top of negative emotional repercussions, these training tools have also been associated with injuries to the neck and thyroid gland. STEP 1: Prevent the approach of other dogs, or control approaches to a distance at which the dog feels relatively comfortable. ), you are likely to repeat this behavior every single time you spot a mouse. The damage off-leash dogs can do is not to be underestimated. Drive your dog to an area where dogs are walked by and your dog doesn't get over threshold. It should not be used concurrently with MOI medications. Giving one dog priority access to resources reduces conflict because it reduces unpredictability and provides structure. The outdoor world can be quite an unpredictable place for dogs, so if feasible, it would be ideal to create organized set-ups in a quiet area for systematic implementation of desensitization and counterconditioning. El Paso, TX 79936, Javascript must be enabled for the correct page display, Copyright 2022 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix. Afterwards, distractions should be gradually added. Now, if you ask your dog to perform a behavior when he is over threshold and stressed, this won't likely work because the dog is likely in a fight or flight situation. First you want to avoid situations that may trigger aggression. One of the biggest obstacles owners of aggressive dogs face is excessive pulling on the leash. Very gradually build up your dogs ability and desire to stay focused on you even when another dog is walked by fairly close to it. If every time they lunge, bark, and growl, they are corrected with a collar correction (either by tightening/applying pressure into/around the dogs neck with choke collars/prongs or delivering a shock with shock collars), dogs risk associating the sight of other dogs (or anything else around them) with the correction, and possibly, even the owner too! Back to the fear of rats, you are likely less fearful of rats several feet away from you (or even better, rats shown on TV) than of the rats right beside you. Below you will find a variety of plans/options should you encounter dogs on your walks. In addition to actual fights, aggressive behavior can include mounting, blocking, standing over another dog, posturing, staring, and vocalization. Make sure you have a plan in place in case you encounter dogs. Behavior modification comes with risks, and an expert can raise the chances for correct implementation. There are several methods to create positive associations, and every dog professional may have their preference. HEAD OFFICE:SHELTER ROAD, COOMBABAH QLD 4216|PO BOX 3253, HELENSVALE TOWN CENTRE QLD 4212. Like people, dogs have only a limited amount of attention. If they are paying attention to one thing intently (you), they have little or no attention left for other things (an approaching dog). They do this by calmly following owner commands. As positive associations are formed, the dog is gradually exposed to closer encounters, up until they are relaxed enough to be capable of being walked at normal distances expected on walks. This dog should also receive the best resources (preferred place on the couch, favorite toy, etc). Drive your dog. Some dogs will never like dogs who come close to their faces, especially once they reach social maturity, a time when dogs tend to become more discriminative about who to "befriend." Sure, avoidance means that we can have at least some level of control, and it may prevent rehearsal of the dog's problematic behavior up to a certain extent,. Teaching the dog alternate, replacement behaviors resolves the problem without the need for punishment. Even if your dog has never bitten before, muzzle training is important considering that any dog can bite when put in a stressful situation. So when you are on walks, make sure you keep your dog under the threshold as much as you can. This is often the case with using methods based on harsh, punishment-based techniques. It cant help that anxiety response, any more than you can stop yourself cringing when you see a huge spider or snake. Of course, all classes may be run differently, so there may be some invested more in taking precautions (like using barriers or having enough space). The use of aversive tools and techniques is therefore not recommended. Examples include the Walk Your Dog with Love harness, the Positively No-Pull Harness, and the Sensible harness. It can take up to 2-4 weeks before results are seen. Your dog's threshold is that imaginary line where your dog is in a calmer state of mind and not distressed. Many owners of problematic dogs wish to stop a behavior. The intention of using these supplies is to do as little harm as possible. Rat after rat, you would likely want to see more and more as you build up your piggy bank! Aversive citronella spray (e.g. Some dogs may benefit from anti-anxiety products such as Adaptil (spray, collar, diffuser) or Thundershirts. Have a plan. In some cases, dogs must be completely separated then gradually reintroduced with desensitization and counter-conditioning training. STEP 3: Teach the dog to focus its attention on you. He was used to living with another dog (his older friend, my more dominant and strong/stable dog), also German Shepherd, so it's not that he wasn't socialized that way. The dog learns that if it shows fear, Mum will make a fuss of it, take it away from the other dog, or pick it up for a cuddle, so it continues to display fear. Another helpful approach is to select one dog to consistently receive first access to resources such as food, treats, favorite resting places, toys, having the leash put on first, access to door ways, and attention. 2022 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. In many ways, the approach to working with a dog that is either fear-aggressive or just fearful about other dogs is the same. Should a fight erupt, it may help to use noise in hopes of disengaging the dogs. These negative encounters only end up feeding the anxiety and increasing the dog's hyper-vigilant behaviors. Treatment involves: 1) Avoiding aggressive situations and triggers, 2) Starting a nothing in life is free program, 4) Desensitization and counter-conditioning, 5) Medication, such as fluoxetine, to reduce anxiety and aggression. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. The goal of these methods is to create positive associations by feeding reactive dogs high-value treats every time they hear/see another dog. This occurs when dogs only show aggression in the presence of their owners and are peaceful when they are alone. I have been telling my clients to treat dogs with muzzles as if they aren't wearing one. For example, your helper can distract the upcoming dog by tossing treats his way. This supports the theory that many of these dogs use aggression to control situations that make them uncertain, anxious or fearful. one dog may get priority with toys, while another may be the top dog when it comes to food). There are a couple of things a dog can do when approached by another dog that worries them: It's a good idea to respect these dogs' desires rather than forcing them into interactions they aren't comfortable with. The below plans provide ideas on what to do if your dog encounters another dog. by webadmin | Mar 15, 2016 | Latest News and Information | 0 comments, This information is intended as a general guide only. Turn and take the dog away before the other dog comes too close. They want their dogs to stop misbehaving once and for all. Its goal is to protect distressed dogs from exposure to triggers that will make them worse. Look for treats/foods that make your dog drool, foods that are at the very top of your dog's hierarchy of favorite things to eat. 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