Frustration or Agression????

[hjburns123]

Hi there,

My name is Heather and I live in Abronhill with Lab X called Leffe. He is approx 2/3 years old and I got him from the SSPCA in January.

Leefe is such a sooky dog, loves to be loved and is extremely well behaved in the house...outside different matter.

When he is on the lead he barks and growls at other dogs mostly but also occasionally at people whether they be running, on bikes or walking. A few times he has even jumped up and grabbed people's clothing. This makes him look very vicious even although he has the sweetest nature. He appears to me to be frustrated because he is on the lead and can't run up to people, but we can't trust him to be off the lead because he runs off. When he is off the lead he bolts up to other dogs and people desperate to play...no growling etc. but because of the rate at which he runs he scares people and other dogs. I prefer walking him off the lead but he can also be known to run away. Leffe also barks at cars and tries to run towards them...again when he is on the lead but most of the time when he is off the lead and hears a car he doesn't really bother.

Don't know what to do i have tried a couple of methods but nothing is working so far.

Any suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks
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HEATHER BURNS

[heather n luke]

hi i personally think leffe needs more socialisation. and in order for him to be safe that needs to start on a lead as im sure you dont want to take the chance of him injuring himself either by getting hurt by a car or hurting another person as not everyone is understanding. ano his behaviour doesnt seem so bad when he is off of the lead but i have a five year old great dane who will not tolerate another dog running up to him even if the other dog is being friendly, he likes his own space not to be invaded. i would try going on group walk and get him in amonst other dogs and get him used to walking with them. also if he is not good or comfortable around people i would suggest walking him in places where there are people around and work your way up to walking him in crows as he gets more comfortable.

[John Thomson]

Hi,

I would agree with Heather that the dog needs socialised more however it sounds as though the re is little pack order structure in Leffe's life.... http://www.cumbernaulddogtraining.co.uk/pack-order.html ..has his behaviour deteriorated since you got him?

john
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John Thomson
www.cumbernaulddogtraining.co.uk

[hjburns123]

Hi John yes his behavior is worse than it originally was but it didn't take long to happen so I assumed it was him coming out of his shell. How do I resolve the problem? I watch a lot of programmer about pack order but just can't seem to master it consistently.

Heather
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HEATHER BURNS

[Laura-Anne]

Hey

I found it easier to understand the idea’s of pack order through the obedience classes, there are a lot of subtle things we do in class which enforce the idea of pack order. Its difficult to say without meeting the dog these issues for me. Johns article he linked to has a pretty thorough description on the ideas and logic behind it. Don’t get me wrong though I still cant go by this all the time, Muffin in particular can walk all over me when she chooses to (and i let her stupidly) and Totts is just plain cheeky these days but I don’t mind them being that way. Were still trying to find the right balance for Totts at the moment in pack order as we’re trying to let her “come out her shell” without letting her get away with blue murder, she only seems to have one or the other at the moment but were getting there is pretty difficult with such a nervous and skittish dog so don’t worry your not alone!

Personally I think the biggest help is as the others have said, through group walks. Tend to find the dogs will learn manners through other dogs in a few minutes of what would’ve taken us weeks or months! Would maybe try some positive association if that weren’t to be effective, if a stranger comes up he will only get attention if he sits nicely for them otherwise ignored. Any unwanted behaviour has to be ignored not shouted at etc. as this is still giving him the attention hes looking for.

What have you tried so far?
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http://www.justgiving.com/Laura-Anne-Innes Please support our cause. Any donations would be greatly appreciated. Laura x

[hjburns123]

Hi,

I have bought a halti for him because he is strong on the lead. I have taken a stick with me to stop him running ahead of me, av tried stopping him n getting him to sit and wait (without much success), I have tried to keep him walking past whatever it is he going nuts about, av tried letting him off the lead and treat training him to come back (only works when there is not any other distractions), i have also tried to hold his lead high and use it to take his concentration away from the distraction. Its difficult to keep calm when he is doing it so I think that just makes matters worse. I think i am going to try and come to a few classes. Leffe regularly gets walked with a neighbours dog and is in contact with many other family and friends dogs and has been walked with them before so I am at a loss lol.

Heather
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HEATHER BURNS

[John Thomson]

[hjburns123]

Hi John

Is there anything I can do to regain my pack leader stance? I try to be assertive but feel its not working.

Heather
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HEATHER BURNS

[Janis]

hey heather might be an idea to come along and join with leefe and have him meet everyone. we are a friendly lot. hope to see you soon.
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Cockapoo's...a little of this, a little of that..........
the perfect combination!

[Lisa/Colin]

Hi Heather, I can sympathise with you, I have a 3 yr old Great Dane called Hektor who is a nightmare with other dogs. It used to be that he was much better off lead but about a year ago he jumped on a collie while down the Glen and since then I am VERY reluctant to let him off. His size alone scares people and intimidates other dogs, they only have to look at him the wrong way and he is lunging and growling, 65 kg of loony. I am not prepared to risk a possible injury to another dog or myself when I would need to separate them so he gets longer lead walks now.

I also will not take the chance of being prosecuted for having a dangerous and out of control dog

When I do get the time (not as often these days as I would like) I do find the walks helpful. The last time was a couple of months ago and I found he was walking well within the group, most of the other dogs were off lead and they kind of knew how close they could get to him and tended to steer clear. Meeting other dogs coming the opposite direction was another story, its that eye to eye contact that seems to set him off.

I use a Gencon headcollar for Hektor. Its like a halti but doesnt ride up into his eyes like the Halti did. It is two loops attached to the lead and it he starts to lunge it brings him up short tightening behind his ears and round his muzzle. I know a few people who have tried them and dont like them but I find it invaluable. It gives me control of his head, he cant get it off and I know I can control him. That makes me more confident taking him out which makes him more relaxed.

Hek is a dominant dog, if I give an inch he will take a mile. When I find him starting to overstep his boundaries I go back to basics with the pack order. Make him sit and wait before feeding him, going through doorways after you, no getting up on couch...all the stuff that is in Johns link.

He sounds like a horror but he is a great big softy around kids and people. he gets on great with our 1 yr old Staffy Millie and with my brothers 2 spaniels.

You should try the walks, I know how scary it is but everyone is really supportive and I'm sure Leffe will not be the worst dog everyone has seen. Its just getting the nerve to do it.. I know, my heart still pounds every time I pluck up the courage to join in!

By the way I walk round Abronhill with Hektor so if you see a huge black dane with a harrassed looking owner suddenly disappear off in the other direction from you and your dog please dont be offended. It just means I havent felt brave enough at that moment to walk past!



Lisa

[Alan and Lynsey]

Hi Heather,

by any chance do you stay near elm drive in abronhill?

i seen a women with a yellow lab on a halti the other day, i was walking by with my two cocker spaniels, meg and blue roan and bella a chocolate working. if so then you have a strong dog because the yellow lab i seen was pulling its owner quite a bit.

like everybody says Pack order. train yourself to be in control of the dog. if he pulls you forward, turn and walk the other way, if he pulls you left you go right etc. you are leader he should follow.

All the best,
Alan

[Janis]

meant to add we're at class tonight from 7 at westfield community centre !
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Cockapoo's...a little of this, a little of that..........
the perfect combination!

[hjburns123]

Hi Alan yes I stay in ash road and have a yellow lab x which I walk down the Glen regularly. I find it quite hard but think al try the classes see if that helps me.

Thanks

Heather
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HEATHER BURNS