Leash/fear aggression

MsMailbawx · 01-29-2012, 05:04 PM

So ryker had a play date today, he mostly kept to himself and barked at her from afar but generally they were just happy to ignore each other. BUT when I put him on a leash he would snap at her. I would correct him with the leash and he would calm down. He also tried to pull this snapping stunt inside and she snapped back, and he left her alone and shut up. I'm worried that when he gets bigger he's going to hurt a dog. I have puppy classes Saturday and I'm worried that I'll be kicked out because of his behavior on the leash towards other dogs. Any suggestions? :/

Shaina · 01-29-2012, 06:29 PM

How old is your puppy?

Msmart · 01-29-2012, 09:32 PM

My best suggestion would be next puppy play date try letting your pup drag the leash. Mot sure if this would have much effect but hope it helps.

RocketDog · 01-29-2012, 09:37 PM

Correction for a fear response could be terribly wrong for a pup. There are many more experienced people here to offer more advice, but I would find a different playmate to start, maybe an older gentler dog who is used to pups, and IMHO I wouldn't drag a leash due to the potential for catching, etc.

Also, you might try the LAT game with the dog before actually playing again. But correction for a fear response can aggravate the fear.

MsMailbawx · 01-30-2012, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaina

How old is your puppy?

13 weeks

MsMailbawx · 01-30-2012, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RocketDog

Correction for a fear response could be terribly wrong for a pup. There are many more experienced people here to offer more advice, but I would find a different playmate to start, maybe an older gentler dog who is used to pups, and IMHO I wouldn't drag a leash due to the potential for catching, etc.

Also, you might try the LAT game with the dog before actually playing again. But correction for a fear response can aggravate the fear.

The dog he was with was very well behaved and is around other dogs all the time. She tried to play with him but when he didn't, she left him alone and did her own thing. It was only when he was in the house that he decided to be a jerk towards her, and she put him in his place. He wasn't hurt at all, but then didn't jump or try to nip her. My trainer told me to take him on a walk and if he encounters a dog from afar, to say "look at that big boy!" and reward him. Kinda skeptical, but I'm gonna try it for Rykers sake.

MsMailbawx · 01-30-2012, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Msmart

My best suggestion would be next puppy play date try letting your pup drag the leash. Mot sure if this would have much effect but hope it helps.

Any advice will do

RocketDog · 01-30-2012, 10:04 PM

That sounds good--your trainer is right.

If you feel sure that the older dog is appropriate for him, maybe try it again? Sounds like she handled it ok. I would just progress slowly, and reward him for calm behavior. If he snaps, he might be over his threshold.

MsMailbawx · 01-30-2012, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RocketDog

That sounds good--your trainer is right.

If you feel sure that the older dog is appropriate for him, maybe try it again? Sounds like she handled it ok. I would just progress slowly, and reward him for calm behavior. If he snaps, he might be over his threshold.

Thanks for your quick response

it's nice to have some reassurance. I shall keep this thread updated on his progress. My trainer has been wonderful, and told me to call her anytime I need help. Between her and this forum, I think I'll do alright hopefully haha

cliffson1 · 01-31-2012, 09:24 AM

I have 13 week old male that is cut out of same cloth as your pup. We go for walks with 8 year old Hena-C female and 11 month old male. He is always attacking them, to point he pulls tuffs of hair out of older female. Yesterday she went a little further then the warning growl and shook his little butt up. He yelped for about 15 seconds, then he settled right down and occupied himself with some stick in the woods. I expect that behavoir to die on the vine now that he has learned the consequence. Her correction was similar to what I would do if he bites me like that....he needs fairness and firmness when he is doing something that will definitely cause him or you harm in the future. JMO

01-29-2012, 05:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
MsMailbawx Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 43	Leash/fear aggression So ryker had a play date today, he mostly kept to himself and barked at her from afar but generally they were just happy to ignore each other. BUT when I put him on a leash he would snap at her. I would correct him with the leash and he would calm down. He also tried to pull this snapping stunt inside and she snapped back, and he left her alone and shut up. I'm worried that when he gets bigger he's going to hurt a dog. I have puppy classes Saturday and I'm worried that I'll be kicked out because of his behavior on the leash towards other dogs. Any suggestions? :/

01-29-2012, 06:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
Shaina Master Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 753	How old is your puppy? __________________ "In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn't merely try to train him to be semihuman. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog." - Edward Hoagland

01-29-2012, 09:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
Msmart Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Cape cod Mass Posts: 108	My best suggestion would be next puppy play date try letting your pup drag the leash. Mot sure if this would have much effect but hope it helps.

01-29-2012, 09:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
RocketDog Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 1,270	Correction for a fear response could be terribly wrong for a pup. There are many more experienced people here to offer more advice, but I would find a different playmate to start, maybe an older gentler dog who is used to pups, and IMHO I wouldn't drag a leash due to the potential for catching, etc. Also, you might try the LAT game with the dog before actually playing again. But correction for a fear response can aggravate the fear.

01-30-2012, 10:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
RocketDog Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 1,270	That sounds good--your trainer is right. If you feel sure that the older dog is appropriate for him, maybe try it again? Sounds like she handled it ok. I would just progress slowly, and reward him for calm behavior. If he snaps, he might be over his threshold.

01-31-2012, 09:24 AM	#10 (permalink)
cliffson1 Knighted Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,929	I have 13 week old male that is cut out of same cloth as your pup. We go for walks with 8 year old Hena-C female and 11 month old male. He is always attacking them, to point he pulls tuffs of hair out of older female. Yesterday she went a little further then the warning growl and shook his little butt up. He yelped for about 15 seconds, then he settled right down and occupied himself with some stick in the woods. I expect that behavoir to die on the vine now that he has learned the consequence. Her correction was similar to what I would do if he bites me like that....he needs fairness and firmness when he is doing something that will definitely cause him or you harm in the future. JMO

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