Watch "Cane corso go aggression. .we need help!" on YouTube

[DragosMom]

He has been around very submissive dog and also female dogs and reactions are the same. I think I truly believe what the above commenters are saying about the fear. It just really seems to fit. Regardless, Drago meets with the behaviorist tomorrow for evaluation. I will let everyone know his thoughts, concerns, and recommendations. Thank you all.

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[karennj]

It is really hard to read body language on a black dog with a dim screen! Did the dog he initially react to disappear right away? I only ask because he did disengage on his own pretty quickly and his body language change as well. I do believe overall his reactions to dogs is part insecurity and part over arousal. At the start he locked on to the dog his head and body position was high and he made a big show about it to let the other dog know he was a force to recon with. Dominant aggressive dogs don't tend to put on a show like this. They are usually quiet, still and tense. Your dog is for lack of better words, acting like an idiot. Some of it could be boundary frustration but I still believe in this case, he is both over aroused and insecure. He was over threshold as soon as he got out of the car so the energy is just building up in him as he pulls his way into the store and then when he finally sees something he overflows.

When he first walks through the doors and the man is adjusting his harness he does a few lip licks and becomes hyper vigilant. As he enters the store he is actively looking for something to react to. He sees the other dog, becomes alert and reacts when a bark is heard. He puts on his display but his body is a bit bouncy. I believe he is trying to look threatening. He quickly stops and then lets out a few roo roos which is classic insecurity like as if to say, "yea, you better walk away". This is the point that he changes. Did the dog go out of sight? He starts avoidance, does a lip lick starts to get hyper vigilant again.

Overall, looking at this video only, I would say he has some insecurities and is now just doing what he knows. He is making a scene but I don't see anything overly dominant aggressive. Now over arousal/excitement can absolutely turn into aggression so him being insecure or over aroused is still a problem. I honestly believe if you made him heel into the store, kept him under threshold and required a sit and focus whenever he started to go on alert he would not react to dogs on leash at all. It is a combination of things (boundary frustration , over stimulated, insecurity, arousal, reinforced behavior, etc) playing at the final result. If you got ahead of the behavior and kept stopping him before he worked himself into a excited/alert state you would see a huge difference. I don't care if you have to put him in a sit every 2 steps. He does not get excited out of the home. He cannot handle himself so it is just not allowed, period. As soon as he pulls, gets hyper vigilant, goes on alert, you take him back down a notch by doing focus or obedience.
You have your work cut out for you but honestly you can very quickly turn this around. Would I bring him to a dog park, no, not after the rotti incident but he does not have to react to dogs and you can change this.

 

[karennj]

Do you mind if I share this video with a body language group that I am part of? I would like to get their feedback.

 

[DragosMom]

Hello Karen, wow everything you have said just blew my mind. It was if you were reading my dog to a "T". The dog who caught Dragos attention was at the end of the store and quickly taken away because of Dragos rude behavior. I agree we have so much work to do and we are trying our hardest to change our method of handling Drago and becoming assertive leaders. You may definitely show the video to your group. All information and comnents are very welcome. The man in the video is my husband. Drago usually is great on a leash except around distracrions..examples.. other dogs or people. Whenever he gets around or even in the parking lot of petco..he changes immediately. .like Dr JECKLE/Mr. HYDE.. We made the video for this purpose..to show how quickly his demeanor changes around other animals. It's a complete 360 within seconds..thank you so very much for your insight full analysis. .

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[tmricciuto]

I have some issues with my 11 month old EM girl Sage. She is very strong and we had to ditch the harness pretty quickly. I went with a prong. She is not aggressive, but she has poor impulse control (it's getting better as she ages) and wants so badly to play with every dog. One of the things that we do is work on focus while out walking...work on leave it...and she can not move to even start the walk until she is in a calm state. So when we take her to the groomers it is literally as 30 minute ordeal...getting better though. When we first get out of the car (assuming it's not summer in AZ) she must go into a sit and get peaceful then we will walk. Once we get into the store if she becomes aroused then she must sit and focus until she gets calm again and then we move. And we work hard to not get frustrated and tense because that is communicated through the leash.

Another thing we do is try to wear her out before we go places. So if going to get her groomed, often we will play fetch with her until she stops or play with the flirt pole. This helps drain her energy and calm her down a bit. She is polar opposite of her sister who is great around other dogs.

I am starting to take her to the dog park and walk her outside of the dog area to get her used to being around dogs without getting all worked up. Bella is pretty good at it but Sage can go berserk. She is a work in progress.

 

[karennj]

Sounds like your on your way to a very well behaved dog in public! It takes time and consistency but one day you will realize you barely had to manage her on your outing. It will become the new norm.

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

I agree with what was said above. You need to really tighten up on his obedience. He lacks confidence and is nervous/scared of new situations. Instead of focusing on getting him out places to play with dogs work on his obedience at home, ensure it is tight and he does it immediately. Then start to do it outside in your yard, when he has mastered that then try a park that has limited dogs but some activity going on. Keep moving up from there after ensuring he is tight in what you are asking. If he gets to the next step and back-slides go back to the last place he did it as asked and start again from there. Dogs are a social animal and prefer packs, but you are his pack. He doesn't need the outside play with other dogs, he likely is most content when he gets to hang out with you. We have some dogs that don't mind playing with strange dogs and we have other dogs that have no interest in it and should I try to force them to have "play-dates" it would end badly. They want only to spend time with the family and I that is their world and while in public they are generally relaxed and taking everything in they show no interest in playing with dogs that approach.

 

[season]

[video=youtube;wD-sgQjcvpgHe]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD-sgQjcvpgHe[/video] uses prongs and even ECollars. They don't hurt your dog. Humans who don't know what they are doing hurt dogs. Humans giving affections and soothing dogs when they are fearful/anxious hurt their dogs. Humans that let their dog pull them around on leash hurt dogs. I know you want to help your dog. And I believe u will. Your dog isn't aggressive...most dogs aren't. They are fearful and anxious and lack leadership in their lives that so greatly need. Jeff has thousand of videos and so does Sean O'Shea....they can help. There will be some "positive" ppl that will use fancy words, have a lot of "scientific evidence" and even try to scare you into thinking that if you do any sort of correction or anything "aversive" that you will scar your dog for life and make it worse than it already is. Cool. I don't buy it but if you do that's cool too. I hope you can give the dog the help needs.

 

[DragosMom]

Once again thank you all for all the great advice and caring comments. It's great to know we have a forum like this to turn to for support. You all have given us hope not only for Drago but for my husband and I as puppy parents. We truly love Drago with all of our heart and just want what is best for him and his needs. We see the behaviorist today so I will let you all know what we learn. I have read and absorbed all of the comments and advice from you all. It seems a tad overwhelming taking it all in lol. Also, just to let you all know Drago is an amazing puppy. He has such a loving and tender personality within our home. He is smart and inquisitive and very happy. Our only issues are in public around other animals and people. We are going to start from scratch. we are going to start demonstrating strong leadership skills and incorporate all the wonderful tops and techniques you all have suggested. Thank you all so very much for taking time out of your lives to help our family. We truly feel welcomed into the forum and even more so blessed to have added friends around the world who just care! What a refreshing change of pace in this world. DRAGO, DANIEL and myself JENNA thank you for touching our lives with such kindness.

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[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

I would like to say, thank you for wanting to learn! We get a lot of people that get defensive or are unwilling to try a different way to get the results they aren't able to get. It speaks volumes that you are putting in the hard work and taking it on the chin and going with the advise.

Once again thank you all for all the great advice and caring comments. It's great to know we have a forum like this to turn to for support. You all have given us hope not only for Drago but for my husband and I as puppy parents. We truly love Drago with all of our heart and just want what is best for him and his needs. We see the behaviorist today so I will let you all know what we learn. I have read and absorbed all of the comments and advice from you all. It seems a tad overwhelming taking it all in lol. Also, just to let you all know Drago is an amazing puppy. He has such a loving and tender personality within our home. He is smart and inquisitive and very happy. Our only issues are in public around other animals and people. We are going to start from scratch. we are going to start demonstrating strong leadership skills and incorporate all the wonderful tops and techniques you all have suggested. Thank you all so very much for taking time out of your lives to help our family. We truly feel welcomed into the forum and even more so blessed to have added friends around the world who just care! What a refreshing change of pace in this world. DRAGO, DANIEL and myself JENNA thank you for touching our lives with such kindness. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I527 using Tapatalk

 

[season]

I would like to say, thank you for wanting to learn! We get a lot of people that get defensive or are unwilling to try a different way to get the results they aren't able to get. It speaks volumes that you are putting in the hard work and taking it on the chin and going with the advise.

I second that one. Thank you.

 

[DennasMom]

Well.... I did NOT see ANY "aggression" either... I saw over-excited dog IN CONTROL... not calm, allowed to pull, and wanting REALLY bad to meet the other dogs, then getting REWARDED for acting out (the pets/rubs on his hind end as he's being "bad" - those will reinforce the behavior).

I think Hiraeth and Karennj both have some AWESOME advice for you to consider.

The harness you're using is allowing him to ignore your physical corrections (not that I saw any attempt at those). A poke in the ribs is an easy distraction/correction, and works independent of the collar/leash you have one. It doesn't have to be a hard poke, either... just a "hey! pay attention to me!" poke. If he is over-the-top and reactive, a poke could also cause a redirection of his frustration to become a snap at you... so... even that might not be the best approach to start with.

My Recommendations:

1. As you leave the car, make him sit and wait, and calm down. When he's calm, proceed to the store. ANY tension on the leash, and you do a FULL STOP. If he doesn't relax... go back to the car and start over. He should figure out pretty quick that pulling will get him NOTHING. Staying next to you will be rewarded with getting closer to what he wants (the store).

2. As soon as he starts to 'key' on a 'target'... put him in a sit. You get between him and the 'target' - make him look at YOU. When he does, give him a CALM "Good boy", "thank you" and/or a treat. Walk away from the target and get him interested in something else (i.e. YOU and treats or pets from you). Keep him CALM. If he gets excited or anxious, leave the store and start over.

Be prepared to repeat going in and out of the store 2-4 times on the next visit. Yes, it will look goofy to the people there... but anyone who knows dogs will see you're in training and will totally understand, and might offer to help - i.e. if what Drago REALLY wants is to meet people and other dogs.... they might be a 'friendly stranger' to practice on - BUT - you MUST do it right! No pulling. Drago must wait calmly for the friendly stranger to come close, and for you to give a release cue (I use "go say hi"), so he knows it's OK for him to engage the person and/or dog.

Good luck, and keep us posted!!

 

[DragosMom]

Hi guys..so we met with the behaviorist today and I must say I applaud you very intelligent observers. Drago is acting as said out of fear and lack of direction. He was carefully observed today for approximately 2 hours. 1 hour with my husband and I and 1 hour without. We are going to start simply and slowly from square 1. Several points were made today about insecurity as well. Drago needs more time becoming independent as he is with us 24 hours a day and has NEVER been left alone. We were told he demonstrated alot of separation anxiety when we departed the facility. We have been instructed to use a crate and start giving him some private alone time, even if he whines or pitches a fit. He did demonstrate some moderate aggression when introduced to a submissive dog on the premises. We were told that he did not wish to interact with the dogs in a playful, welcoming manner. We have been given the name of a specialist in the Kansas City area who we will begin working with Monday. Thank you all for all the support. I feel as we change and lead Drago will respectfully follow. We were told 99 percent change must come from us the other 1 percent from Drago. Turns out we are one of the many poster children of the people who ruin their dogs. We feel horrible that we have turned our puppy into an insecure, fearful guy. I only pray we can rectify it and make it up to Drago..

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[DragosMom]

Sad mom

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[BAMCB]

Sad mom

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Maybe sad for a moment but an awesome mama for wanting the best and actually doing everything in your power to give it to Drago! Keep your head up I think I would be downright depressed if I went over all the not so good choices I made as a human and dog parent lol

 

[season]

Sad mom

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Don't be sad. Be proud that you are looking in the mirror and realizing the problems are fixable and that u are in charge of it. That is part of being a leader. Many owners who have a "problem" dog always blame the dog but never look in the mirror. It sounds cliche to some and others just don't want to hear it that most of dog "issues" actually owner "issues." I applaud u.

As far as building confidence and independence I tell u to work on Place. Jeff and Sean both have great how to vids on working with place. It really is like magic. It helps with so many things. Duration. Impulse control. Confidence. Independence. Anxiety. I guarantee it will help your dog as well. If u work on it with him. It's very simple and very effective. Trust me. I could show u with Solo as well. We work on it every day. It is also a great way to drain energy because they are working. Just go to Jeff or Sean's YouTube channel and type in place. Bam.


Carpe Diem

 

[season]

[video=youtube_share;OIGq_5r0DeE]http://youtu.be/OIGq_5r0DeE[/video]


Carpe Diem

 

[season]

[video=youtube_share;7Ka2x-yMSzM]http://youtu.be/7Ka2x-yMSzM[/video]


Carpe Diem

 

[season]

[video=youtube_share;omg5DVPWIWo]http://youtu.be/omg5DVPWIWo[/video]


Carpe Diem

 

[DragosMom]

Season..thank you so much for the encouragement. I really enjoyed the videos and we are going to start working on place tonight..your a doll and we thank you!

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