Waah I need advice for my puppy
 

Waaah I am truly at a loss.. And stressed.. My puppy of 1 year Jackson has suddenly become very aggressive towards other dogs.. For no particular reason... Has anyone had this issue??? It came on just suddenly

1. Has he been fixed?
2. Do you take him to dog parks so he can socialize on a regular basis?
3. Do you walk him and pet/interact with other dogs while doing so?

Yes he is fixed.. Yes, we do dog parks alot.. And he goes out for alot of walks.. but I like the interact with other doggies suggestion while walking him... He is such a good dog besides this!

What breed of dog is it?

Beat him into submission. Literally.

Not sure he is a mix... Rescued him. :(

Where's the Dog Whisperer when you need him!

LOL... Love it

Big, small, muscley, fragile?

This is the result of one of two things and sometimes a bit of both. Fear or dominance but in any case, is dealt with in the same way. Ignore the advice of those who tell you to beat the dog. If you strike the dog, the only thing the dog knows is that it has been struck and will in fact remember and become very neurotic and perhaps dangerous.

Leash control is a good method in this instance and you must at all times be what Cesar Millan calls the "Pack Leader". Do not allow your dog to apporach another dog. Using the leash and verbal commands (You can help him sit by pushing down on his butt if he is not responsive but make certain that he cannot see the hand you are using to push him!) command the dog to "Sit!" when he spies another dog.

If the dog becomes aggressive you must immediately nudge him, he must "Stay!" and must remain in one spot. Do NOT use the word "No!" as people understand it but the dog only knows it's a noise and relates it to nothing specific.

I am fond of the three-finger nip; that is to deliver a fast three-fingered pinch to the back of the neck when the dog breaks out as this is the sort of thing the Momma or Daddy dog would do. A sharp sound such as Cesar's "Sssst!" works very well also to bring him back to center.

If necessary, you can force the dog to the ground using the back of the neck and hold him there until he rolls and displays his belly in a sign of submission.

After some pracitce in merely observing other dogs, you can then allow other dogs to apporach him, utilizing your commands and dominance each time your dog acts out. He will get the idea if you are consistent, calm and assertive. Remember to keep him ON LEASH at all times during this training process and you may want to consider a muzzle if he is realy snapping, etc.

Finally, exercise, exercise, exercise the dog! Exercise burns off a ton of aggression! A tired dog is a calm and submissive dog!

Sally.

post a picture. if he's a bully breed, specifically a pitbull...it might just be how he is. sometimes its just part of that particular dogs nature.

There is no such thing as a "bully breed"!

There ARE very dominant breeds but "bully" is a term which can be applied to humans but not dogs. One of the worst mistakes which can be made it to anthropomorphize a dog; that is, to ascribe human emotions and characteristics to a dog; to try to make a human out of it. Dogs are dogs. Dogs think like dogs, act like dogs and remain dogs, regardless of how much some people try to make people out of them.

Aggression is never inherently part of a dog's nature but dominance can be and often is. Aggression is learned while dominace and territoraility are inherited and genetic as Hell.

Pit Bulls (Although there is no specific breed which is technically a "pit bull") are no more aggressive than any other dog unless taught to be so. Dominace, territoriality and fear-based behavior are often misinterpreted as aggression and therefore improperly dealt with.

Sally.*

*My smallest dog is 65 lbs (30 kg) and the largest 145 lbs (66 kg).

Being a gobby fighting dog is inherited too.

There are 3 breeds that fall into the "pit bull" category. im not trying to argue semantics, but certain bloodlines in those breeds are known for dog on dog aggression. you can call it dominance or being territorial, but that doesnt change the fact that some dogs that fall into the "pit bull" category are naturally quite aggressive towards other animals (especially smaller ones). Terriers in general were bred to kill rodents and various other pests. It makes sense that they'd have natural aggression towards smaller animals as part of their instincts.

I COMPLETELY agree that most of the time its how a dog is raised that determines agression. However, I've known people that were caring, loving parents to their dogs and their dogs were still quite aggressive towards other animals. Sometimes its nature over nurture.

That being said....What Sally said before it totally correct. Socialization is the best thing you can do, and striking your animals will only make them think of you as violent and unpredictable. Specifically the kind of behavior you're trying to break them of. Read Caesar Milans books. The man is a genius when it comes to dogs.

Sally...what breed are your dogs?
This is the newest addition to my family :]
His name is Hank.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...5_866998_n.jpg

Cute dog.

Yes, I do overreact when people speak of pit bulls and you are correct about the three breeds but most cities which have enacted Breed Specific Legislation include up to a dozen or more distict breeds in their classification of "pit bulls".

What breeds are my dogs?

This is the Great-Great- Grandfather of two of my mutts so you can figure it out I think!

ZEUS!

http://www.americanshepherd.com/river-zeus7.jpg

This is a Great-Great-Grandmother:

http://www.americanshepherd.com/hera3.jpg

I also have a Presa Canario (Canary Dog) which is a rescue. He's only about 6 months, so just up to about 75 lbs now. I may put up some pics someplace when I have time but you can go here to get the idea:

http://homecookhost.homestead.com/fi...dstargirls.jpg

http://www.bellaonline.net/articles/art2609.asp

Good thing I am very tall or these kids would tower over me when they stand on their hind legs!

Sally.

When he does it growl and bite his neck.

Great advice thank you so so much

I will get a good pic of him.. He is brindle so people assume he is pit but I don't think he is could be.. He is a little over a year and weighs 20 pounds.. he is a really sweet dog besides that issue:Oh crap