Reptile & Amphibian Forums

For those who dont know me, I'm the proud mother of a 16 month old, male Border Collie x Australian Cattle Dog named Cody. Cody regularly displays aggression towards other dogs when we are out in public. I was hoping some of the forum members may have suggestions for me to help with this issue. Now, to see some background information.

Cody was neutered at 6 months of age. He was well socialised with both people and other animals from 8 weeks and displayed no signs of aggression until he was approximately 9 months old. One night at obedience training a young puppy jumped up at me from behind and Cody snapped. This seems to have triggered something, and he will not allow another dog near me if he deems them a threat. Even dogs that he had happily played with for months became a target.

We still formally train for Obedience once a week and I am careful to keep him away from other dogs if I believe he will snap. I have learnt to read his body language well and will take him away from the group if he does not seem comfortable. During class we rarely have a problem as he is focussed on me and trains well; it is before class begins and during the break that are potentially a problem. We also train for agility once a week where he wears a muzzle as a precaution; although, he is okay while focussed on the task at hand.

It appears to be a problem only while on-lead. Dogs that he does not tolerate on-lead he will happily play with off-lead. I have read that this is common as the dogs are unable to work things out while confined to a lead; however, I would like to be able to work with him to eradicate the problem.

At first somebody suggested using a firm "no" when he snapped to establish myself as alpha; however, this had no effect at all. The next person I spoke to suggested the aggression is a result of him seeing me as the alpha and trying to protect me. We have had some success with me reassuring him and holding him back a little while I pat the other dog; showing him that the dog was no threat. However, if he is not in the mood he will growl before I even get close. On those days I wont even try as I dont want to push him too far out of his comfort zone.

Sometimes he will play happily with another dog for 10 minutes, then out of the blue he will snap at them. It must be something subtle as I have never been able to see the other dog do anything to provoke him; sometimes both are simply lying still when he reacts.

Cody is not a very dominant dog so I do not believe that this is the reason for his aggression. I also own a female dog who is a much more dominant dog than him. While he appears to be protecting me at times; he is also not particularly afraid of anything so I do not believe it is fear aggression either.

Where I live (outskirts of Sydney) is rather isolated when it comes to animal experts and training. I have to travel 45 mins each way to get to obedience/agility. While there are a few vets nearby, there are no behaviourists or expert trainers. The trainers at my dog club are simply experienced handlers who have completed a basic trainers course; nothing to prepare them for this problem.

I was hoping that some of the forum members could offer a few
suggestions for things I could try with him. I know my dog quite
well so you dont have to worry about me attempting anything I don't think will be appropriate or safe.

Bec

>>For those who dont know me, I'm the proud mother of a 16 month old, male Border Collie x Australian Cattle Dog named Cody. Cody regularly displays aggression towards other dogs when we are out in public. I was hoping some of the forum members may have suggestions for me to help with this issue. Now, to see some background information.
>>
>>Cody was neutered at 6 months of age. He was well socialised with both people and other animals from 8 weeks and displayed no signs of aggression until he was approximately 9 months old. One night at obedience training a young puppy jumped up at me from behind and Cody snapped. This seems to have triggered something, and he will not allow another dog near me if he deems them a threat. Even dogs that he had happily played with for months became a target.
>>
>>We still formally train for Obedience once a week and I am careful to keep him away from other dogs if I believe he will snap. I have learnt to read his body language well and will take him away from the group if he does not seem comfortable. During class we rarely have a problem as he is focussed on me and trains well; it is before class begins and during the break that are potentially a problem. We also train for agility once a week where he wears a muzzle as a precaution; although, he is okay while focussed on the task at hand.
>>
>>It appears to be a problem only while on-lead. Dogs that he does not tolerate on-lead he will happily play with off-lead. I have read that this is common as the dogs are unable to work things out while confined to a lead; however, I would like to be able to work with him to eradicate the problem.
>>
>>At first somebody suggested using a firm "no" when he snapped to establish myself as alpha; however, this had no effect at all. The next person I spoke to suggested the aggression is a result of him seeing me as the alpha and trying to protect me. We have had some success with me reassuring him and holding him back a little while I pat the other dog; showing him that the dog was no threat. However, if he is not in the mood he will growl before I even get close. On those days I wont even try as I dont want to push him too far out of his comfort zone.
>>
>>Sometimes he will play happily with another dog for 10 minutes, then out of the blue he will snap at them. It must be something subtle as I have never been able to see the other dog do anything to provoke him; sometimes both are simply lying still when he reacts.
>>
>>Cody is not a very dominant dog so I do not believe that this is the reason for his aggression. I also own a female dog who is a much more dominant dog than him. While he appears to be protecting me at times; he is also not particularly afraid of anything so I do not believe it is fear aggression either.
>>
>>Where I live (outskirts of Sydney) is rather isolated when it comes to animal experts and training. I have to travel 45 mins each way to get to obedience/agility. While there are a few vets nearby, there are no behaviourists or expert trainers. The trainers at my dog club are simply experienced handlers who have completed a basic trainers course; nothing to prepare them for this problem.
>>
>>I was hoping that some of the forum members could offer a few
>>suggestions for things I could try with him. I know my dog quite
>>well so you dont have to worry about me attempting anything I don't think will be appropriate or safe.
>>
>>Bec
>>

>>>>>>>>>>>

At the link below my signature, you'll find an article called "Attention, Please!" an article on Adolescent Dogs, and an article on Head Halters. The Eye Contact article explains the method in "Attention, Please!" more fully. There's also an article on Fighting Dogs and one on Same Sex Dogs in the Home in case any of these dogs come to visit. Food Guarding might be useful, too. It's a free, educational site, without even any advertising.
-----
Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

That is one thing I must say for Cody, he has a very reliable "watch me". During obedience we do a lot of weaving and figure-8 work. I can have Cody focus on me and he will maintain eye contact no matter what. A few times the careless owners of dogs Cody really does not get along with will allow their dogs to get right in his face while walking past and he doesnt break eye contact.

One of the biggest problems we face are the other owners who will still bring their dogs over to play week after week. They see a dog standing on its own while others are playing and think it would be a good idea to come over. Once I can forgive, however, consistently bringing their dogs over week after week just makes Cody progressively more aggressive towards them. The trainers are very good, they know the trouble I have and they do their best to keep the other owners away if they see them hanging around (people tend to pay no attention to me...)

I read through quite a few of your articles KDD and found them quite interesting. I will have to really study some of the techniques to try with Cody on Thursday.

It has been my personal expierence that the best route is the safest route, and that means take no chances. You are going to feel really really bad for the other dog and the other dog owner if you misjudge one time and he really does mean business, not to mention the liability aspect. Plus, if he is not going to be going to the dog park, or interacting with other dogs on a large basis, then as long as he gets along with your other dog and at least is cordial to any other dogs he may see frequently, then he is as social as his enviroment requires him to be anyway. There are behaviorists who will consult with you online or over the telephone for a fee as well, they may ask for some footage of him though. If you are going to pursue that route, then i suggest getting started on a journal type thing cause they ask tons of questions you never expected would be relevant. there are sample forms called canine behavior history forms that can point you in the right direction as far as what type of information to record, and a various websites found easily through any search engine that can give you specifics on what type of body language to look for in regards to when he is about to become agressive. hope this helps!

Here is a link to a great article about aggression towards other dogs. This was in the whole dog journal, which promotes positive training and conditioning. Rather that punishing your dog for growling, you praise him when another dog is around. It's a very different approach than what most of us are used to.

Best of luck, I hope you read this article and maybe it will be able to help you.

Click here!

Link