How do you exercise a dog aggressive dog?

Bridget · 01-28-2012, 09:41 AM

My husband's 80 lbs. male lab loves people but is aggressive to other dogs, especially male dogs, and especially dogs that come running up to him barking ferociously. Not sure why, but has been since a young age. Up till now, I have walked him but only in our neighborhood and only on streets where I am pretty sure there aren't any dogs outside. It was brought home to me recently, when he fought with my son's dog that if another dog approached, I would be unable to stop the dogfight that would almost surely occur. His dog accidentally got out of his room while Loki was out (just shoot me). If my son hadn't been there, I am pretty sure we would have had a dead Boston Terrier. I am afraid to walk him because of strays or dogs off leash coming up to us. Unsure if I have a confidence problem or if I am being realistic. How do others with this problem exercise your dogs? We have a medium sized backyard and play a lot of ball, but when it is wet outside, the yard is full of mud. Any suggestions or ideas?

I guess the obvious solution is let my husband walk him, but unfortunately that isn't going to happen to any useful extent. Also, husband gets so upset about everything concerning Loki and so angry about dogs that are off leash (read: it's not Loki's fault for being aggressive, it's their fault for existing) that I think we would just end up enemies of the entire neighborhood. Still Loki needs exercise and I need some solution.

onyx'girl · 01-28-2012, 09:49 AM

wire basket muzzle?

Jax08 · 01-28-2012, 09:53 AM

I would say you need to get a good trainer and work on some behavior modification. That can be managed. I have a fear reactive dog but she is still aggressive to strange dogs, even tenses up when dogs she knows but doesn't live with get in her space and the end result is the same as yours...dog fight.

I"ve worked with an e-collar combined with LAT. However, I would not advise using an e-collar unless you are working with a trainer! It is to easy to screw up and make things worse.

Ideally, you should be able to walk by a dog and have him ignore the dog. Off Leash dogs are another matter. You can't control every situation so you need him to learn to Leave It and you will need to block the other dog if necessary. We typically keep walking the other way and I tell her Leave It. One dog that did make it to us, I blocked until the owner got there.

1sttimeforgsd · 01-28-2012, 12:58 PM

I understand where you are coming from, I have quit walking my boy through the neighborhood for the same reason. He did not use to be dog aggressive untill loose dogs in the neighborhood started coming up to our fence and barking at him. I can control mine with the prong collar, but it is the other dog that worries me so I have considered pepper spray to carry along when I go. Good luck with your baby hope that you can find a solution to your problem.

Good_Karma · 01-28-2012, 01:05 PM

I also avoid all places where I might encounter off leash dogs, but sometime we still encounter them. I have used pepper spray several times now and it has worked. I also have worked with a trainer and read many books on how to handle a dog aggressive dog. You might check out some of these titles...

http://www.amazon.com/Fight-Practical-Treatment-Dog-dog-Aggression/dp/0970562969

http://www.amazon.com/Scaredy-Understanding-Rehabilitating-Reactive-ebook/dp/B004HYHE54/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327773849&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Focus-Not-Fear-Training-Insights/dp/0976641410

http://www.amazon.com/Click-Calm-Healing-Aggressive-Clicker/dp/1890948209

Amazon.com: The Cautious Canine-How to Help Dogs Conquer Their Fears (9781891767005): Patricia B. McConnell: Books

Germanshepherdlova · 01-28-2012, 01:33 PM

I also have a male lab who is dog aggressive. When I am walking him and I see another person approaching with a dog I turn around quickly and go the other way-turn down the next block and get him away from the situation as quickly as possible. I had this dimwit neighbor the other day with a dog that she could not control turn around and follow me after I had turned the other way. My lab was going nuts and (he is 75 lbs) it turned into the walk from h***. Good thing my DH was with me and had our GSD or I don't think I could have managed by myself with both of my boys. Mind you my lab is the sweetest most obedient dog UNITL another dog comes along then he goes into the red zone and doesn't hear or see anything besides the other dog.

**JakodaCD OA** · 01-28-2012, 03:06 PM

besides the muzzle are their any sports fields around that are fenced in? You could check schools/parks see if any fenced in fields you could let him run and get some hard exercise? just a thought

shepherdlovr12 · 01-28-2012, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Good_Karma

I also avoid all places where I might encounter off leash dogs, but sometime we still encounter them. I have used pepper spray several times now and it has worked. I also have worked with a trainer and read many books on how to handle a dog aggressive dog. You might check out some of these titles...

http://www.amazon.com/Fight-Practical-Treatment-Dog-dog-Aggression/dp/0970562969

http://www.amazon.com/Scaredy-Understanding-Rehabilitating-Reactive-ebook/dp/B004HYHE54/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327773849&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Focus-Not-Fear-Training-Insights/dp/0976641410

http://www.amazon.com/Click-Calm-Healing-Aggressive-Clicker/dp/1890948209

Amazon.com: The Cautious Canine-How to Help Dogs Conquer Their Fears (9781891767005): Patricia B. McConnell: Books

[quote] i have a gremanshepherd mix is loves to knock me down for kisses, she also likes to find things like people who arent supose to be in the yard and animals. she is not be taught to tht but is learning that.

Twyla · 01-28-2012, 03:21 PM

During the week I take advantage of sport parks. They are fenced in, completely empty and Woolf gets some fantastic off leash time. Also during the week if just looking for a walk, and some think I am crazy doing this, but large cemeteries provide good walking. They are quiet and gives a chance for Woolf to relax and 'just walk'.

Weekends we take advantage of schools (fenced in fields) and office parks (ones with a park like area in them).

Bismarck · 01-30-2012, 11:10 AM

while you should work on your dogs aggression, you could always buy a treadmill.

01-28-2012, 09:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
Bridget Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,401	How do you exercise a dog aggressive dog? My husband's 80 lbs. male lab loves people but is aggressive to other dogs, especially male dogs, and especially dogs that come running up to him barking ferociously. Not sure why, but has been since a young age. Up till now, I have walked him but only in our neighborhood and only on streets where I am pretty sure there aren't any dogs outside. It was brought home to me recently, when he fought with my son's dog that if another dog approached, I would be unable to stop the dogfight that would almost surely occur. His dog accidentally got out of his room while Loki was out (just shoot me). If my son hadn't been there, I am pretty sure we would have had a dead Boston Terrier. I am afraid to walk him because of strays or dogs off leash coming up to us. Unsure if I have a confidence problem or if I am being realistic. How do others with this problem exercise your dogs? We have a medium sized backyard and play a lot of ball, but when it is wet outside, the yard is full of mud. Any suggestions or ideas? I guess the obvious solution is let my husband walk him, but unfortunately that isn't going to happen to any useful extent. Also, husband gets so upset about everything concerning Loki and so angry about dogs that are off leash (read: it's not Loki's fault for being aggressive, it's their fault for existing) that I think we would just end up enemies of the entire neighborhood. Still Loki needs exercise and I need some solution.

01-28-2012, 09:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
onyx'girl Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SW, MI Posts: 17,596	wire basket muzzle? __________________ Jane~ Kept by Onyx, Kacie and Gideon v Wildhaus aka Karlo

01-28-2012, 12:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
1sttimeforgsd Crowned Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: West Virginia Posts: 4,884	I understand where you are coming from, I have quit walking my boy through the neighborhood for the same reason. He did not use to be dog aggressive untill loose dogs in the neighborhood started coming up to our fence and barking at him. I can control mine with the prong collar, but it is the other dog that worries me so I have considered pepper spray to carry along when I go. Good luck with your baby hope that you can find a solution to your problem. __________________ karen, mom to: ace-gsd (bi-color) 6/14/2010 mandy-yellow lab 1/31/2009 baby-terrier mix 11/25/2000

01-28-2012, 01:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
Good_Karma Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Upstate, NY Posts: 4,103	I also avoid all places where I might encounter off leash dogs, but sometime we still encounter them. I have used pepper spray several times now and it has worked. I also have worked with a trainer and read many books on how to handle a dog aggressive dog. You might check out some of these titles... http://www.amazon.com/Fight-Practical-Treatment-Dog-dog-Aggression/dp/0970562969 http://www.amazon.com/Fight-Practical-Treatment-Dog-dog-Aggression/dp/0970562969 http://www.amazon.com/Scaredy-Understanding-Rehabilitating-Reactive-ebook/dp/B004HYHE54/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327773849&sr=1-1 http://www.amazon.com/Scaredy-Understanding-Rehabilitating-Reactive-ebook/dp/B004HYHE54/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327773849&sr=1-1 http://www.amazon.com/Focus-Not-Fear-Training-Insights/dp/0976641410 http://www.amazon.com/Focus-Not-Fear-Training-Insights/dp/0976641410 http://www.amazon.com/Click-Calm-Healing-Aggressive-Clicker/dp/1890948209 http://www.amazon.com/Click-Calm-Healing-Aggressive-Clicker/dp/1890948209 Amazon.com: The Cautious Canine-How to Help Dogs Conquer Their Fears (9781891767005): Patricia B. McConnell: Books Amazon.com: The Cautious Canine-How to Help Dogs Conquer Their Fears (9781891767005): Patricia B. McConnell: Books __________________ Leah: Newbie dog owner Niko: American Showline GSD 2 1/2 years old Rosa: American Muppet Dog (GSD/Border Collie mix) 3 years old

01-28-2012, 01:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
Germanshepherdlova Knighted Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: USA Posts: 2,935	I also have a male lab who is dog aggressive. When I am walking him and I see another person approaching with a dog I turn around quickly and go the other way-turn down the next block and get him away from the situation as quickly as possible. I had this dimwit neighbor the other day with a dog that she could not control turn around and follow me after I had turned the other way. My lab was going nuts and (he is 75 lbs) it turned into the walk from h***. Good thing my DH was with me and had our GSD or I don't think I could have managed by myself with both of my boys. Mind you my lab is the sweetest most obedient dog UNITL another dog comes along then he goes into the red zone and doesn't hear or see anything besides the other dog. __________________ You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Germa...96574693743892

01-28-2012, 09:53 AM	#3 (permalink)
Jax08 Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NNE PA Posts: 14,316	I would say you need to get a good trainer and work on some behavior modification. That can be managed. I have a fear reactive dog but she is still aggressive to strange dogs, even tenses up when dogs she knows but doesn't live with get in her space and the end result is the same as yours...dog fight. I"ve worked with an e-collar combined with LAT. However, I would not advise using an e-collar unless you are working with a trainer! It is to easy to screw up and make things worse. Ideally, you should be able to walk by a dog and have him ignore the dog. Off Leash dogs are another matter. You can't control every situation so you need him to learn to Leave It and you will need to block the other dog if necessary. We typically keep walking the other way and I tell her Leave It. One dog that did make it to us, I blocked until the owner got there.

01-28-2012, 03:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
JakodaCD OA Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Location: Old Lyme, CT USA Posts: 14,235	besides the muzzle are their any sports fields around that are fenced in? You could check schools/parks see if any fenced in fields you could let him run and get some hard exercise? just a thought __________________ Diane Danger Danger vom Kleinen Hain aka Masi "Angel" Jakoda's Bewitchen Sami CD OA OAJ OAC NGC OJC RS-O GS-N JS-O TT HIC CGC "Angel" Steinwald's Four x Four CGC HIC TT Harmonyhill's Hy Jynx NA NAJ NAC NJC RS-N JS-N HIC Jakoda's Jagged Edge

01-28-2012, 03:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
Twyla Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Georgia Posts: 488	During the week I take advantage of sport parks. They are fenced in, completely empty and Woolf gets some fantastic off leash time. Also during the week if just looking for a walk, and some think I am crazy doing this, but large cemeteries provide good walking. They are quiet and gives a chance for Woolf to relax and 'just walk'. Weekends we take advantage of schools (fenced in fields) and office parks (ones with a park like area in them).

01-30-2012, 11:10 AM	#10 (permalink)
Bismarck Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 399	while you should work on your dogs aggression, you could always buy a treadmill.

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