mild aggression help needed

sunshinedaydream · 05-30-2008, 12:25 PM

Hi. I have a 7 year old red male. He is not an agressive dog necessarily but does have some agression like issues. I have had him all my life and I will admit, for a long time, he was not getting the exercise and discipline he needed. In the last year I have begun walking him nearly every day and have gotten him from a gentle leader to a choke collar and he does amazing. In fact, we are now working on heeling right next to me (as opposed to not pulling). he is even running with me.

Anyway, he has always barked at and scared newcomers in the house and lately, he is a lot better. It is just at people he has never met before and it's like a test. he barks, I tell him no, and he moves on and 5 minutes later is their best friend. I would LOVE for him to not scare people but have not gotten to the point I can tell him no yet.

He is great with most other dogs as well that come over to play, except those that are agressive with him (little yappy mean dogs he has put in their place).

On a leash, he is not so good lately. The other day, a ladyy wanted to pet him and I told her she could and when she came near, he lunged and barked at her. He did not bite her, but he also recently went up to a guy on a bike while leashed and "grabbed" his hand. It wasn't a hard bite, more of a test again, I believe. the guy had on gloves and was on a bike (which he now hates due to a bad expoerience with me taking him on a ride). Also, when he is on a leash and meets a new dog, I let him go sniff and he immediately lunges and bites (not all out attack, but definitely a dominance thing). He also was off leash and a woman who was scared of dogs came up to our campsite. I always tell people, if he barks, don't be scared, say hi. But she was and he lunged and bit her sweatshirt- not really attacking as he only got the shirt and immediately backed off.

He has also once bit a child on the hand that came up behind him which spooked him, not hard at all, she was just scared. He has really good bite control, which makes it better but is still not OK.

Anyway-I REALLY want to help him stop as I don't ever want to see it escalate. Regular training is so easy, how do you train for something like this without paying strangers to take a chance? Do I just need to spend more time controlling/working with him? Is this a typical Doberman trait? Just hoping somone may have some advice.

Murreydobe · 05-30-2008, 12:54 PM

I think you need to work with a trainer in a controlled setting to work with this. I would NOT be walking this dog in public and putting innocent people at risk until you've got a better handle on the problem.

**ellenm** · 05-30-2008, 02:57 PM

I would add no running free at all where he can run up to people on his own until you have control at all times on and off lead.

I'd keep him on lead at all times for now and get with a trainer who can evaluate you and the dog. Can't really do this over the internet with something like aggression/biting.

DobeSpell · 05-30-2008, 03:46 PM

Put him a muzzle.
I did that with King before but know I use leash that goes around nose and gives me pretty good control over him.
When we walk by people he must not even look at them. I hill him and if he turns his head toward them I say No and pull the leash and his head turns to me right away.
When nobody is near I let him on long leash.
When somebody wants to pet him I reject and tell them that he doesn't like that.
When we approach another dog, I don't introduce them.

Since I'm doing this we've never had any accident in public. Better be safe then sorry.

Murreydobe · 05-30-2008, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DobeSpell

Put him a muzzle.
I did that with King before but know I use leash that goes around nose and gives me pretty good control over him.
When we walk by people he must not even look at them. I hill him and if he turns his head toward them I say No and pull the leash and his head turns to me right away.
When nobody is near I let him on long leash.
When somebody wants to pet him I reject and tell them that he doesn't like that.
When we approach another dog, I don't introduce them.

Since I'm doing this we've never had any accident in public. Better be safe then sorry.

Muzzles can make some dogs even more aggressive. This is an example of why it's not a good idea to try to diagnose or give online dog training advice when aggression is involved. Too many different forms of aggression, too many different temperaments. This is something that has to be evaluated first hand to deal with correctly.

Besides that, the last thing this breed needs is the bad PR generated by dobermans walking around muzzled in public.

DobeSpell · 05-30-2008, 04:30 PM

Well I have to admit last thing I thought about when muzzled King is bad PR.
On my mind was safety of King (2 bites and law can force me to put him down) and
safety of others.

Muzzle helped me keep King in public and helped King to relax in those situations (because I was relaxed).

We used it short period of time but King progressed and didn't need it anymore. Muzzle is not long term solution but can be a big help short term.

All we did, we're advised by King's trainer.

I do believe that Sunshinedream will take every suggestion with cautious. After all every dog is different. There is no instant solution.

**Doberdog** · 05-30-2008, 04:31 PM

I'm no expert but I think he needs to remain on leash at all times when outside. Untill you get expert help he probably should be put on a leash in the house when new people come over to see you. I would also not let anyone else approach him to make friends with him. He sounds like he is getting risky. I can't tell you how to fix it, only that it is not fair to the people that ask you if they can pet him, if you say yes, and you know he may lunge. Tell everyone no, that you are working on training him. Tell them not to talk to him or look at him, just to ignore him, and you keep him a distance from them with the leash. Good luck and keep us posted. I'm sure others with more experience than me will reply. :-)

**voodoolizard** · 05-30-2008, 04:40 PM

where are you based ?? someone might beable to put you in touch with a good trainer in the area if you say where you are from ??

2RescuedDobies · 05-30-2008, 11:45 PM

I would definately seek the help of a trainer expereinced in dealing w/ aggressivness. My second question would be is this new behavior for your boy and have you ruled out any medical problems?

waiting · 05-31-2008, 09:50 AM

I noticed with most every incident you would add but and make an excuse as to why the dog did what he did to make it more acceptable. At least that was my interpretation of your post. You know in your heart there is problems aggression is aggression, I am glad you took the step to recognize it but I feel you need to go a little further and realize the full gamut With saying that I believe his behavior states lack of socialization, which is conclusive of your comment he wasn't getting enough exercise which is hand in hand with getting out and about. I would suggest as others getting a trainer, go out in the less busy hours and less traveled areas and work your dog, if what the others have said that your dog is one of the ones that gets further aggressive when wearing a muzzle. Good luck with your search of a reputable trainer, and hopefully in time you will have a healthy mentally and psychically dog.
PS I to think that dog should not be allowed of leash, at all. Most dogs shouldn't just because an owner believes they are in full control, for the most part that statement is so untrue