Somewhat Sexist Dog

[Alexandria610]

Ok, so the weird thing with Alexandria is that she doesn't always go crazy about male dogs. In fact, when we go to dog parks she doesn't seem to have issues at all with them. It seems that it's only when they are on the other side of the dog park's fence, or walking through a pet store where she has issues with male dogs. She growls and snarls and acts like some protective beast, sometimes lunging on her leash to try and get at them.

She seems to particularly not care for most bully breeds or beagle/hound mixes. I'm not sure what this is or why she does this. It seems so random sometimes. Is there any aggression issues I should worry about? Or is it just something regarding dominance? She's been spayed since she was about 4 months (I believe that's when the shelter spayed her) so I'm not sure if that has anything to do with it.

But she's only really gotten nasty (not bitten or attacked, just growled and snarled and ignored my commands as she tugged at her end of the leash) once in a pet store where a male pit mix was trying to approach her (and the stupid woman was just walking him over there while I was trying to get Alex to back off and get away from her). I tried to keep her away from him while we finished shopping, then steered clear to leave.

Does anyone know what could be causing this, and what I should do to correct it (if it needs correcting)? I don't want this to become an aggression thing. She also lives in a house that is predominantly female (only one male, and that's one of my cats).

Thanks, in advance, for any help on this situation!

[sit,stay]

My first thought was leash reactivity and barrier frustration. That could explain the behavior in the store (leash reactivity) and at the dog park fence (barrier frustration).

I am not sure where or how the physical appearance of the other dogs would play into either of those behaviors, though. So I could be way, way off.
Sheilah

[Alexandria610]

Originally Posted by sit,stay

My first thought was leash reactivity and barrier frustration. That could explain the behavior in the store (leash reactivity) and at the dog park fence (barrier frustration).

I am not sure where or how the physical appearance of the other dogs would play into either of those behaviors, though. So I could be way, way off.
Sheilah

I sort of thought something with the leash, too, because she has moments before we actually go anywhere, that she seems afraid of it. But when we are out doing stuff (when the 'moments' happen) she seems fine to be on the leash. And yeah, it's weird that she's most reactive to those breeds/mixes. I hate that she does that, because I love bully breeds and most hounds, and it makes us both look terrible.

[Alexandria610]

I also have a bit of a question regarding future dogs/puppies of the GSD variety. I had originally wanted to get another girl, but after research and being told by others about a lot of the consequences that can occur between two females being housed together, I am definitely leaning 98% towards a male. This, however, will not happen until Alex is at least two years of age, for various reasons.

That being said, should I worry that she will become aggressive with the male puppy, simply because it is male? She has only been around one or two other GSD males in my obedience class, and although she seems slightly standoffish from them, she doesn't spazz or act out. What's the best way to test this with her - or should I just wait and see how her full personality levels out once she fully matures?

[gsdraven]

Raven doesn't like certain breeds either, mostly Boxers because they tend to stare at her. She is completely neutral to other dogs when we are out and about though. She also doesn't like intact male dogs and will tell them to back off before they even get close to her and there's no way they are getting behind her despite her being spayed at 6 months.

What do you mean she seems afraid of the leash?

It does sound like there's possible barrier aggression or feeling trapped because of being on the leash that's mostly to blame. You can work on her outside the dog park with the Look At That (LAT) game. If she really does seem afraid of the leash, I would start working on making sure that it is a completely positive thing to her. Mine go batty if I even touch the leash.

I would work on her issues now but with proper introductions, she'd likely be able to accept a male puppy in the future.

[Alexandria610]

That all sounds like a great idea, with the LAT game and the proper male dog introductions.

As for the leash thing, it's sort of hard to explain. I may have to take a video to show you, but for now I will try my best to explain. When we are outside of the house, she doesn't seem to have any problems with the leash - won't shy away from it, won't tug or get upset or flip out when I pull the leash, move it, pick it up, put it down, snap it a little - nothing. As for in the house? She does the ears back, tail tucked, 'let me find a corner or curl up on the couch', scared eyes thing. Then she will wag her tail a little and do the upset licking of the lips and pretty much submissively walk out the door with me. I've tried the whole letting her walk around the hosue with it on, giving her treats and praise and encouragement, and nothing seems to work. I'm wondering if she does this because she knows it will lead to a car ride (which she doesn't like - I mentioned it in a thread on the general behavior board). Could that be the problem?

[Duke-2009]

Duke is much more protective/aggressive on leash. He does not like people or dogs approaching him on leash. Off leash he is a different dog. Discovered this at the beach this summer. He was incredibly anxious on leash when people wanted to pat him, off he was the hit of the beach.

[gsdraven]

Originally Posted by Alexandria610

I'm wondering if she does this because she knows it will lead to a car ride (which she doesn't like - I mentioned it in a thread on the general behavior board). Could that be the problem?

Could be. Do you ever just walk her around the neighborhood?

To me, that's a pretty extreme reaction to something so innocent and that most dogs go nuts over because it means good things. Is it any leash or that particular leash?

I would try to desensitize her to it by taking it out and then just sitting and playing with it. If she shows any interest, click (or yes!) and treat. Do that for awhile and then make it a little harder, she only gets rewarded for making a step closer. And do that until she comes right up to you with it. And then put it on her and treat her for it being clipped and not freaking and then take it off. Do that until you can do the whole thing and out the door and she's happy about. This should be done in lots of little short sessions, not all at once.

Ideally you wouldn't leash her during the process but reality would be that you may have to. Is there anyway you can get her to the car safely without leashing her?

[Alexandria610]

Well, the problem with walking her around this neighborhood is that there are a few somewhat run-down homes and loud dogs barking (including two pits on chains during various times of the day, no kidding), as well as a lot of side streets. I tried to walk her once, when she was happy and feeling comfortable on the leash, and she flipped out. I haven't seen a dog go so insanely afraid in a long time - so I only tried it one other time (just not as far to where she flipped out) and she wasn't as bad, but still was practically shaking as I walked her down the road. She's fine if I walk her elsewhere, but our neighborhood seems to frighten her a bit. I haven't tried it in a while, though - maybe now that she's a little more confident she won't shy away so much?

Either way, thank you so much for the great advice - I will definitely be putting it into practice! And no, we don't have a fence in the front of the yard, and she's not 100% on the 'no roaming' thing yet. Not enough for me to trust her, anyway. I've let her run from the car to the door, because once she's out of the car, she cannot wait to get to the door. But I don't think it's safe to try to get her in the car without a leash - at least not at this point.