[Frankie4]

Hello,

I have had my dobie for a year now and he is 13months. Today for the first time I saw him act aggressive toward two different dogs and I am wondering if anyone out there can give me some insight as to why.

He is not neutered I was waiting till he got a little older before doing so.
A couple times a week I am at work all day and he is left in my apartment, a dog walker comes by on those days but for the most part he is alone.

Could either of these be a reason for him to be aggressive?

I do socialize him and take him to the dog beach a few times a week.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[o0 sHaDoWoLf 0o]

Dobermans are known to be male/male aggressive, were the other dogs male? Sometimes dogs just don't agree with each other. Sometimes my pup 10 months old just doesn't like over excited pups and will show his teeth to tell the puppy to go away. Have you gone through any type of training with him yet?

 

[Frankie4]

I have done a 6 week course where we just went over the basics, sit, stay, leave it etc.

Other than that I have taught him a few things myself but that is about it.

 

[o0 sHaDoWoLf 0o]

I am sure that he is okay but Dobermans are a very intelligent breed and sometimes need more mental stimulation. Maybe get him into a class that is the next level up from basic training. Get him into a little more controlled environment besides the dog park, a trainer would let you know if there are any issues that need to be addressed and taken care of while he is still young.

 

[VZ-Doberman]

Socialize him by taking him whenever, wherever you go. Just getting him out and about helps. If you come upon a stress situation for him remain calm and just continue doing what you were doing. Keep up with your dog classes but nothing beats getting him out of his environment and into different places and situations.

 

[lolonurse]

You didn't describe the type or level of aggression which might be helpful to know. Also it really doesn't sound like you are investing the amount of time and effort into his training and socialization that a Dobe needs... they have to have confidence that you are in control of any situation or they will feel the need to try to control it. You should continue classes and daily training ... he'll enjoy the work and your bond will grow stronger.

 

[Toby'shuman]

As has been suggested earlier, if your boy met up with other male dogs then he may be showing the first signs of male on male aggression.
If they were female, were they being pushy, how aggressive was he. Just growling, a bit of crocodile snapping, was it genuine aggression or just a teenage Dobe being a bit rowdy.

I will reiterate also what has been said,
continue his training,
stimulate his brain,

I would also like to add get his attention on you not the other dogs when this kind of thing happens using positive methods, not negative.

Perhaps it might be possible to get your boy into a doggie day care on the days you have to leave him indoors all day.

One thing occurred to me, have you asked your dog walker if there has been any issues whilst he/she is taking your boy out? Perhaps your boy has met these 2 before and had a run in with them, Dobes are like elephants, they remember everything.

Above all, stay calm if it happens again, the more heated you become the more heated he will be.

Good luck.

 

[Frankie4]

This was the first time i saw him actually showing his teeth, he somewhat pinned the other dog (German shepherd) down and was trying to bite its back.

There have not been issues with these dogs before or with the walker.

 

[Frankie4]

lolonurse,

How do I go about getting my dog to know that I am the one in control... "they have to have confidence that you are in control of any situation or they will feel the need to try to control it?"

 

[o0 sHaDoWoLf 0o]

I think more training will be good for your boy, maybe he's frustrated on top of showing male vs male aggression. Male vs male aggression doesn't happen with all other male's, just some. It is really hard to give advise over the internet in a situation like this because we were not there.

For all we know the other dog could have Down something to cause your boys reaction. A trainer or behavior specialist will be able to assess him and create a plan on some training. You want to stop ant unwanted behavior right away before it gets out of control and ends up badly.

 

[o0 sHaDoWoLf 0o]

lolonurse,

How do I go about getting my dog to know that I am the one in control... "they have to have confidence that you are in control of any situation or they will feel the need to try to control it?"

sorry for the typos in the last comment I was on my phone, as I said in another comment, Dobermans are very intelligent. They are in the top 10 of the smartest breeds and they are very in tune on what you are feeling. Very in tune, they were bred to be our own personal protectors so they have to be in tune to how we are feeling. So if you are not confident in a situation your boy can sense that.

That is why you are not suppose to bring a dog into a dog park with a leash on, if you are lacking confidence that will project to your dog and or the dog can feel protective while still connected to the leash which can result in a fight.

That is why you should seek professional help because that can be another thing that he was showing was being over protective of you. We just can't tell you over the internet.