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Ok, my little man, Bear isn't a GSD but I'm hoping someone can give me some tips/ advice?
Bear is a 5yo desexed male Shih-Tzu x. He is a beautiful boy, so well behaved. However, he does have 1 issue. He has a really bad habit of starting fights with some dogs. Usually Staffy's, Pit Bulls, Mastiffs, BullDogs etc, you know the ones that could swallow him whole
I socialised him from 12 weeks old, he used to be fantastic. I used to take him to the dog beach all the time & there was no issues. I know that my reactions when he did start doing this have made it worse. And I know that I get tense around other dogs with him & that makes it worse.
He has never drawn blood. He attacks the other dogs when they are sniffing him, or very close to him & he decides he doesn't want them to be. After he 'attacks' them, he gets over it & generall won't do it again & has been known to then play with these dogs. He also won't actively seek fights or go after dogs, so I don't think it's full on dog aggression but maybe more him learning how to behave appropriately.
I have started taking him & Roman to 'Doggy Day Care' and he interacts with a large group of dogs all day & the staff are brilliant in handling the situations. I'm hoping this will help him.
I am just so scared that he will pick on the wrong dog one day & get seriously hurt.
I have been told by a 'behavioural specialist' to do tha alpha roll when he shows aggression towards other dogs to get him to submit, but I don't think it works & it doesn't sit right with me. I have read all the conflicting infomation regarding this move.
So, I am open to any suggestions! I want to get him back to the point where we can all socialise with no dramas and he can get enjoyment out of it.
TIA & apologies for the epic post!
Bear is a 5yo desexed male Shih-Tzu x. He is a beautiful boy, so well behaved. However, he does have 1 issue. He has a really bad habit of starting fights with some dogs. Usually Staffy's, Pit Bulls, Mastiffs, BullDogs etc, you know the ones that could swallow him whole
I socialised him from 12 weeks old, he used to be fantastic. I used to take him to the dog beach all the time & there was no issues. I know that my reactions when he did start doing this have made it worse. And I know that I get tense around other dogs with him & that makes it worse.
He has never drawn blood. He attacks the other dogs when they are sniffing him, or very close to him & he decides he doesn't want them to be. After he 'attacks' them, he gets over it & generall won't do it again & has been known to then play with these dogs. He also won't actively seek fights or go after dogs, so I don't think it's full on dog aggression but maybe more him learning how to behave appropriately.
I have started taking him & Roman to 'Doggy Day Care' and he interacts with a large group of dogs all day & the staff are brilliant in handling the situations. I'm hoping this will help him.
I am just so scared that he will pick on the wrong dog one day & get seriously hurt.
I have been told by a 'behavioural specialist' to do tha alpha roll when he shows aggression towards other dogs to get him to submit, but I don't think it works & it doesn't sit right with me. I have read all the conflicting infomation regarding this move.
So, I am open to any suggestions! I want to get him back to the point where we can all socialise with no dramas and he can get enjoyment out of it.
TIA & apologies for the epic post!