Dog aggression

[EyyoEddie]

Hi, I have two dogs, a two year old hound mix and a year old Cane Corso, who are best of friends. But in the past few months my Corso has been showing signs of dog aggression. He isn't snarling or growling but barking very loudly and wanting to get to the dog.

Now I have had an instant where we pushed past that initial phase, and the dogs after a long hour or so got along and became great friends. (out of luck friends who had a dog moved in for a few months while they were in between places).

He's never showed any sign of aggression to another human, it's just every dog he sees its the same behavior.

I did my best to socialize him when he was young, and I'm perfectly fine with him never being around other dogs in his life, but I just was wondering if there's any suggestions for curbing this behavior while he's still relatively young or is this going to be him for the rest of his life.

 

[Hector]

On walks or free? In either case, I'd give a strong correction whether you use a prong or an e-collar. Let him know it's not acceptable to act that way and then you should be fine to bring in another dog that is not over the top, non listening, or rude. Catch him early before he starts barking such as mouth close, freezing, staring. Correct/redirect at those phases every time and he will snap out of it and give up. He just doesn't know how to act around dogs and this is the easiest way in my opinion. Then I want you to also work on focus work and structured walks on leash around dogs.

 

[DennasMom]

I agree to catch him early. I'd prefer to avoid any corrections if you can, and aim to redirect him to something else to do instead.

i.e. you see a "target" dog approach, and as soon as you notice your CC see the other dog (before he starts getting all anxious or aggressive), have him "sit" and then "look" at you - and give him a reward (praise, treat, etc). And then either wait for the "target" to leave, or turn and walk away. So you are acknowledging your dog's desire to get more distance from the other dog, but not allowing him to use aggressive behavior to accomplish that result. The goal is to get him to look to YOU for direction on how to react to the other dog... and not take action himself to 'make it go away'.

Try to build the association that strange dogs are to be supervised, but not acted on... that to "Sit & Wait" for his person's cue (you), is the appropriate response. Be sure to praise happily when he does what you want, even if it's just a small improvement.

On another note... there's a collie in our neighborhood that barks and squeals like hell is coming when she see's another dog... but she's barking because she wants to MEET the other dog. He owner knows this, and we were able to stop, sit and then properly greet said collie, and it was all happy tail wags after that. But, if she see's us across the street, she still puts up a fuss until she can sniff-butt in greeting. It looks silly when a collie does it, but ferocious and scary from a CC, I'm sure. Not saying this is what you're dealing with... just another side of the coin to consider.

 

[EyyoEddie]

On another note... there's a collie in our neighborhood that barks and squeals like hell is coming when she see's another dog... but she's barking because she wants to MEET the other dog. He owner knows this, and we were able to stop, sit and then properly greet said collie, and it was all happy tail wags after that. But, if she see's us across the street, she still puts up a fuss until she can sniff-butt in greeting. It looks silly when a collie does it, but ferocious and scary from a CC, I'm sure. Not saying this is what you're dealing with... just another side of the coin to consider.

I really think this is what it is more than anything. He is the goofiest and most happy go lucky dog in the world, it just a 130lbs dog doing everything in his power to get to you and your dog can be misconstrued as viscous/scary and I completely understand that. If he were to ever get to said dog I don't think he would do anything but I would never take that chance.

 

[Vantage]

So the problem is that he is barking at other dogs and pulling towards them? Is this other dog someone you know or whom you regularly meet? Can you tell if he is being playful and excited, or territorial, or aggressive, or anxious/ fearful?

That attention (look at you command) Denna is talking about is very important. If you don't have it, practice getting it in less distracting environments first. If your dog is toy motivated, you could also use that, or even food.

Good that you acknowledge not needing to take that chance, because the truth is, your dog does not really need to play with other/strange dogs. (That is just something We Feel they need.)