[kbigge]

Kodee just turned a year old about 2 weeks ago. He's been very well-socialized, as far as going on and seeing new people, places, sounds, sights, animals, etc. I've done this with the plan that eventually I'd like to have him become a therapy dog. I think he's probably better-socialized than the average dog (been in lots of public places, exposed to new people, been taught to sit when being greeted, ridden elevators, etc). He loves people, especially kids. He used to act like he wanted to play w/other dogs, although since none of my friends have dogs, he hasn't really played w/any. However, he has seen lots of other dogs, and was never aggressive towards them before.

However, I've noticed that over the last couple of months, Kodee acts like he hates other dogs. If we go on a walk, and encounter a dog, he barks, growls, tries to drag me towards them, and generally raises h*ll. I expect this and try to stop it before it starts by putting myself right in front of his face, and trying to get his attention on me. He usually will struggle w/me to look around me to see the other dog, but once the dog passes on it's way (or I go on my way w/Kodee), he calms down immediately. We have an outdoor cat that Kodee sees through our windows, and he used to try to "pull" towards her when I took him out to potty, but from Day 1 when i got him, I've told him "leave it", and given a leash correction, and he now just looks at her with interest, but that's it. He never tries to get to her.

The reason I mention this is b/c a couple of days ago, he was in the car w/me when I pulled up to my brother's house. Their cat was in front of the house, and Kodee went absolutely apesh*t! I was really surprised - the first thing I did was look around for a dog, but then realized he was barking/growling at the cat. So now I'm wondering if he's animal aggressive, or just being obnoxious b/c his hormones are kicking in.

I want to stop this behavior asap, but I'm not even sure what this is. is this dog aggression? Animal aggression? Just posturing and trying to look like a big bad alpha dog? The pack strucure in our house is fine. Kodee knows I'm in charge, and I'm getting ready to begin training w/an e-collar, and that will include beginning our "corrections phase" of training. He knows several commands, but doesn't always listen, of course. I'm hoping to change that.

But what is this behaviour I'm seeing, and how should I handle it? Any advice would be appreciated. If I can't get him to ignore other dogs (that's my goal - I could care less if he actually "liked" them), he will not pass either the CGC or the therapy dog exams. Not to mention, it's a pita when I want to take him to the park or go for a walk in public. (We've never been to a dog park, and never will, just FYI.)

P.S. I forgot to mention that he's intact, and I have no plans to neuter him at the moment.

P.S.S. Aack- forgot to mention that he's never had any kind of "run-in" with another dog. No attacks, dog fights, etc. He never runs loose, so I'm 100% positive of this

 

[Qyn]

I think he is obnoxious "because hormones are kicking in" and he needs you to redirect his rude behaviour to a focus on you plus also the realisation that it is far more rewarding for him to do what you want rather than what he wants. There are many ways to acheive this but butt-headed adolescents need more work than normal but you can do it!!

 

[GSD07]

I don't think your dog is aggressive, he's just undersocialized with dogs and not sure how to deal with them. If he has trouble keeping his focus on you try to put him in sit/stay and then enforce it or ask for 'heel' and enforce 'heel'. That's what I do with Yana.

Yana will also bark at a cat when she's in a car. She's extremely territorial.