Help Dominance Issues?

[grabit]

I am having dominance issues with my dog Bosley.

He is a 3 year old male Australian Bulldog who was desexed at roughly six months of age.

He has always shown a tendency toward being a dominant dog, we do obedience (which we started early on currently level 3/4) and I would consisder him well socialised.

Just to make it clear we have no issues with him being dominant in the home or toward ppl and he is fine with our other animals (rabbits chickens etc).

Recently (over the last few months) he has started to behave in what one would, i suppose consider an agressive manner toward some other male dogs desexed and entire and always the same size or larger than him he runs up to them tail erect, ears forward in a very assertive manner and stands over them, no growling or warning, sometimes it is ok their i tail wagging and it continues on to normal play other times it just turns into a "scrap" (not a fight as such as he seems to have good bite inhabition but a great deal of vocalising) these are broken up quickly when i growl at him and tell him to leave it.

I took him to the dog park last week and watched him with some other dogs , when he is on the lead it seems to escalate much faster and with all larger range of dogs than when he is off the lead.

However what i did find Very interesting was his behaviour toward one particular desexed female akita x german shepherd. He was cutting her out of "the pack" and would not allow her near the other dogs. she was the only female there and this "pack" consisted of male dogs desexed and entire but she was not welcome he hearded her out and if she came near would chase her off.

Nothing has happened to trigger the aggression ie he has not been attacked or menaced by another dog

Help!

[corvus]

Sounds like one for a behaviourist. It's tricky when the trigger and the motivation aren't obvious. Might just be that he's reached social maturity, but it sounds like there might be a little leash reactivity in there as well. Best bet IMO is to keep him on leash and not let him practice the dominant behaviour and get an expert to take a look and advise you.

[sas]

In any case where aggression is occuring please seek the help of a qualified Behaviourist.

[Miranda]

For a start I'd stop taking him to dog parks, I'd be furious if an offlead dog came up to one of my males in that manner, no wonder he's starting 'scraps'. One day he'll pick the wrong dog and the 'scrap' will turn into a full blown dog fight. From what you say it doesn't sound as if he can be trusted to interact safely with other dogs on or off lead, as corvus says it's time to consult a behaviourist.

[Nekhbet]

He's finally mature and he's acting like a big tough male dog would. Being an AmBull just adds fuel to the fire

Stop the dog park. They're useless and teach dogs nothing but bad habits. Socialisation is better from dogs you know that get along well with yours.

Just be careful, there is happy tail wagging and then there is stiff 'i'm gonna stuff you up' tail wag from a dog. Many owners think that all tail wagging is good when in actual fact it's a huge signal somethings going to explode.

Contact Mark Singer in SA www.caninetraining.com.au to help you with his behavior. There is a vast difference between obedience behaviors and proper socialisation and control. Mean time keep on top of any little quirks he's pulling and dont continue at off lead dog parks

[grabit]

For a start I'd stop taking him to dog parks, I'd be furious if an offlead dog came up to one of my males in that manner, no wonder he's starting 'scraps'. One day he'll pick the wrong dog and the 'scrap' will turn into a full blown dog fight. From what you say it doesn't sound as if he can be trusted to interact safely with other dogs on or off lead, as corvus says it's time to consult a behaviourist.

Just to be clear all the dog owners in this case where consenting and aware of the issues we are having so it was a controlled evvironment and i am very aware of the fact that yes one day he is going to pick a fight with the wrong dog that is why i am seeking advice i already have a refferal to a behaviourist but can't see her until i have had a chance to make an appointment, so just thought i would wrack the brains of some DOLers in the mean time

He's finally mature and he's acting like a big tough male dog would. Being an AmBull just adds fuel to the fire

Stop the dog park. They're useless and teach dogs nothing but bad habits. Socialisation is better from dogs you know that get along well with yours.

Just be careful, there is happy tail wagging and then there is stiff 'i'm gonna stuff you up' tail wag from a dog. Many owners think that all tail wagging is good when in actual fact it's a huge signal somethings going to explode.

Contact Mark Singer in SA www.caninetraining.com.au to help you with his behavior. There is a vast difference between obedience behaviors and proper socialisation and control. Mean time keep on top of any little quirks he's pulling and dont continue at off lead dog parks

The dog park as i said before is not a regular outing acctually the first time we have been there and after this experience probably the last.

In regards to the tail wagging thing... I am aware that many times ppl mistake it for a "i'm happy and all is fine" signal, however in the scenario i am describing this IS the case as all of the other bodylanguage and posturing suggests a relaxing and happy dog.

I am also aware that obedience and socialisation behaviours are different things only mentioned it so you guys could get a feel for the background of the situation and my relationship with my dog ( ie he is not a poorly socialised dog with no training who is confined to the back yard)

I AM finding the socialisation thing is becoming harder partly because there is no a huge dog community in my area and partly because the developing behaviour is off putting (understandibly) to dogs and their owners any tips on how to find more appropriate socialisation situations for him?

[poodlefan]

Grabit:

I AM finding the socialisation thing is becoming harder partly because there is no a huge dog community in my area and partly because the developing behaviour is off putting (understandibly) to dogs and their owners any tips on how to find more appropriate socialisation situations for him?

Grabit, await professional advice but the reality is that socialisation with strange dogs may not be possible for him.

[grabit]

thanks for all your help guys i am going to make an appointment with the behaviorist this week, am unsure what kind of wait there is will let you know how I go.

[corvus]

Someone I greatly respect on another list suggested that dogs that "greet" with lunges find out very quickly how far this dog can be pushed and whether they are going to get flattened or not. They likened it to socially awkward people who lunge in with inappropriately intense leads into conversation or interaction purely because they are so nervous about interacting at all that on some subconscious level they just want to know fast whether this is going to turn out good or bad rather than agonising about it and living in horrible uncertainty.

Not sure what I think of it or if it's any help, but just thought I'd throw that out there as a possible insight into the behaviour.

[grabit]

Someone I greatly respect on another list suggested that dogs that "greet" with lunges find out very quickly how far this dog can be pushed and whether they are going to get flattened or not. They likened it to socially awkward people who lunge in with inappropriately intense leads into conversation or interaction purely because they are so nervous about interacting at all that on some subconscious level they just want to know fast whether this is going to turn out good or bad rather than agonising about it and living in horrible uncertainty.

Not sure what I think of it or if it's any help, but just thought I'd throw that out there as a possible insight into the behaviour.

oh well in that case he probably gets it from me

[poodlefan]

Someone I greatly respect on another list suggested that dogs that "greet" with lunges find out very quickly how far this dog can be pushed and whether they are going to get flattened or not. They likened it to socially awkward people who lunge in with inappropriately intense leads into conversation or interaction purely because they are so nervous about interacting at all that on some subconscious level they just want to know fast whether this is going to turn out good or bad rather than agonising about it and living in horrible uncertainty.

Not sure what I think of it or if it's any help, but just thought I'd throw that out there as a possible insight into the behaviour.

Did this person also consider that a dog that lunges may also be a fighter? Not every dog that lunges is anxious.

[sas]

[Just to be clear all the dog owners in this case where consenting and aware of the issues we are having so it was a controlled evvironment and i am very aware of the fact that yes one day he is going to pick a fight with the wrong dog that is why i am seeking advice i already have a refferal to a behaviourist but can't see her until i have had a chance to make an appointment, so just thought i would wrack the brains of some DOLers in the mean time

That doesn't make it ok. You're the boss, you need to get in there are tell him that is not an appropriate way to approach, put him on a lead for meet and greets if you have to.

I take my boy to the off lead park once a week on lead to address a problem I have with my boy who rushes forward at dogs, he has to learn what is an appropriate way and what is not an appropriate way to say hello is and he also has to learn to ignore dogs like yours which is hard work for a dominant little prat like my boy.

[corvus]

Did this person also consider that a dog that lunges may also be a fighter? Not every dog that lunges is anxious.

Yes. As we all know every dog is different.

[grabit]

[Just to be clear all the dog owners in this case where consenting and aware of the issues we are having so it was a controlled evvironment and i am very aware of the fact that yes one day he is going to pick a fight with the wrong dog that is why i am seeking advice i already have a refferal to a behaviourist but can't see her until i have had a chance to make an appointment, so just thought i would wrack the brains of some DOLers in the mean time

That doesn't make it ok. You're the boss, you need to get in there are tell him that is not an appropriate way to approach, put him on a lead for meet and greets if you have to.

I take my boy to the off lead park once a week on lead to address a problem I have with my boy who rushes forward at dogs, he has to learn what is an appropriate way and what is not an appropriate way to say hello is and he also has to learn to ignore dogs like yours which is hard work for a dominant little prat like my boy.

I am in no way excusing his behaviour that is why i am seeking advice on the matter, however as i mentioned the problem seems to be significantly worse when he is on a lead.

I am very aware that i am the boss and so is he, however so far "getting in there and telling him" is not working to stop the aggresion prior to it starting, so other measures are going to be required

[Nekhbet]

it comes down to conditioning and teaching the dog to redirect himself when under tension to GOOD behavior not lunging. Mark should have no problem helping you with that. On lead, yes the dog is restricted in what behaviors he can express so he does what works most effectively for him, hence why there are differences on lead and off. Sometimes being the boss isnt enough, if the dog doesnt learn how to curb his heightening excitement/anxiety into wanted behaviors then you get this scenario you are in now and it's not anyones fault, it can be difficult even for the average dog school to sort out.

[corvus]

In addition to seeing the behaviourist, it might be worthwhile looking into Leslie McDevitt's Look At That game. We have found this tremendously useful for our friendly boy who used to try to get to other dogs to greet them when he was on leash. If he couldn't get to them because of the leash he'd start lunging or jumping up and down, barking. He now gets a marker and a treat every time he sees another dog he's not allowed to greet. Instead of lunging and carrying on, he sits in front of us and offers glances at the other dog for treats. He's starting to even come and sit in front of us as soon as he sees another dog when he's on leash without getting a marker. The applications for this game are very broad. Most people use it with dogs that are reacting out of fear/anxiety. It's quite cool that it works just as well with Mr Social Butterfly.

[poodlefan]

In addition to seeing the behaviourist, it might be worthwhile looking into Leslie McDevitt's Look At That game. We have found this tremendously useful for our friendly boy who used to try to get to other dogs to greet them when he was on leash. If he couldn't get to them because of the leash he'd start lunging or jumping up and down, barking. He now gets a marker and a treat every time he sees another dog he's not allowed to greet. Instead of lunging and carrying on, he sits in front of us and offers glances at the other dog for treats. He's starting to even come and sit in front of us as soon as he sees another dog when he's on leash without getting a marker. The applications for this game are very broad. Most people use it with dogs that are reacting out of fear/anxiety. It's quite cool that it works just as well with Mr Social Butterfly.

Even when you're walking along? That would drive me nuts.

[corvus]

Our footpaths aren't very wide around here. :D We normally stop and step to the side when someone is passing anyway, so that's why Kivi sits in front. He's just orienting as he's been taught to do in general. If we ask for his attention on the move he falls into the heel position, but I find it easier to mark head movement if I'm not also trying to watch where I'm going, so I stop to play the game.

Just personal preference.

[sas]

In addition to seeing the behaviourist, it might be worthwhile looking into Leslie McDevitt's Look At That game. We have found this tremendously useful for our friendly boy who used to try to get to other dogs to greet them when he was on leash. If he couldn't get to them because of the leash he'd start lunging or jumping up and down, barking. He now gets a marker and a treat every time he sees another dog he's not allowed to greet. Instead of lunging and carrying on, he sits in front of us and offers glances at the other dog for treats. He's starting to even come and sit in front of us as soon as he sees another dog when he's on leash without getting a marker. The applications for this game are very broad. Most people use it with dogs that are reacting out of fear/anxiety. It's quite cool that it works just as well with Mr Social Butterfly.

Even when you're walking along? That would drive me nuts.

Drive you less insane that the dog loosing the plot!

[Kavik]

mine will sit by my side if we are stationary Kaos is fine to give focus and do the exercise on the move but for Zoe I stop if possible.