What You Need to Know to FIX Dog Aggression

[@monikavzl]

I took my puppy to puppy class as soon as was possible to try and socialise her with other puppies. It was a total failure. I was told not to comfort her when she is scared and that bothers me. I was told that comforting my pup when scares teaches them bad behaviour

[@EverythingDog]

OMG get out of that class. That is a terrible thing to say to you. We comfort crying, scared toddlers don't we? And they learn by being comforted that they are love, honored and CARED for and someone understands. Your puppy needs your support, and comfort. Dogs are like Toddlers! If you treat her like you would a child, you'll be great.

[@monikavzl]

@@EverythingDogwell we are done with the class thankfully and i am glad you hear that my instincts to comfort her is not misguided. Ignoring her distress just feels so wrong

[@denisestarr2314]

I live by myself in the country . Jack, my mix breed 100lbs He loves me , he is gentle for me . But he likes no one . Very aggressive trawds people . The vet told me to socialize him . I have taken him cringe. He loves camping . People he like will attack if they get to close .

[@EverythingDog]

@denisestarr2314, more socialization will not help him like people he does not know. Unfortunately, it's a common mis belief. He is most likely afraid, nervous or worried about people he doesn't know. You job is to protect him (and other people) There is no simple answer to aggressive behavior. We have a free webinar Dog Aggression, Fact vs Ficiton, learn why all the things you've been told aren't working. denisemazzola.com/aggression-webinar-waitlist/ You'll find it helpful.

[@connieperreault1573]

My dog like to hump on a pillow. He recently started showing aggression towards me. If I get near the pillow, accidently touch it, ect. He sleeps with me. I took the pillow away and put it in the closet thinking this will fix the problem but he just decided to get another pillow. He will whine at me. I got to pet him and he jumps at me. He will grow) and everything. Very sweet dog, no problems unless we lay down where the pillow is. He is a yorkie. He never use to act aggressive in any way towards me. Always wants to sit with me and get attention. He will be 3 in march. He does like the video of berne with the tissue.

[@connieperreault1573]

Typo leaps at me. He bit me but not hard. But sounds luke a mad man.

[@EverythingDog]

Hey Connie, Yorkies are the cutest and the darnedest! He is clearly guarding the pillow. Don't take it personally, he still loves you. Do you have to take it away? If not, simply leave him alone. Humping can reduce stress, it can start because of stress. We make it mean "sex" and that is not the case. If you must take it away, offer him $100 (chicken, cheese etc) and make a trade. But honestly, just let him have at it.

[@elizabethantosz1303]

I have a 1 year old catahoula, cattledog, GSP, black lab mix. We are from Hawaii where hunting is extremely prevalent. She was given to us to avoid being sold to boar hunters. Since 8 weeks she has been fearful of certain people, can’t seem to find a pattern. She takes about 10-15 minutes to warm up and then she is the sweetest thing ever. My dog trainer recommended a “do not pet” vest and to let others know to ignore her. This seems to help tremendously, since people don’t reach for her, but it can still be a challenge when she is triggered by certain people. She had a recent vet visit and was the most scared I have ever seen her. Tail tucked, growling, shaking, hiding. They prescribed her trazodone and recommended I incorporate it into her training. That’s how I found your videos! The vet feels I can use the medication as a tool to train and then eventually wean her off the meds. I’m very eager to learn more

[@EverythingDog]

Elizabeth, A "Do Not Pet" sign is a good start, but as you are finding out, only if people read it! There will always be those people who will say to you "Oh, it's ok, I like dogs" or "It's ok, dogs like me" or "It's ok, I have dogs at home" Im not sure why humans feel the need to prove they will be the one your dog likes. Your job is to protect her from people, stepping up to the plate and keeping them away from her so she can feel safe and protected by YOU. If not, she may take matters into her own hands and protect herself. Id skip the Trazadone. It's for events, not long-lasting. Prozac started at 50% of the max dose (the therapeutic level to get her used to it) would be a much better option. Traz will go in and out of her system whereas Prozac will gradually build and hold stable. The ONLY way to know if it helps is to start her on a low dose (50% of max) and journal her behavior. Id be happy to work with you further on this. We have an online course and can work 1:1. Consult: everythingdog.as.me/VirtualBehavioralConsultation or if you want to get on the wait list for the course: denisemazzola.com/revealing-your-dream-dog-waitlist/

[@charshire9713]

My Emma is a 10 yr old 92 pd Black Lab. We got her at 8 wks and her mother was Black lab and father was Chocolate lab & both certified well behaved and calm dogs. She was 1 of 10 but not sure if they we breeders. Loves attention and car rides, demands to be petted and noticed. I've tried walking her but every time we go and she see's another dog she lunges and yanks me around very hard. I say 'Emma no" and I try to break her attention by doing a circle the opposite way she's headed and continue my direction I was going. Doesn't work. In car rides (harnessed in back seat) she goes nuts when she see's another dog....especially mad when it's a German Shepard. She barks, growls , snarls & grabs the window with teeth and paws and abt breaks it. I can sometimes control that when I tell her in advance " No Emma" but I don't always get that chance, she see's them before I do. I also, have my finger on the window button so I can roll it up fast. I've tried making a short noise with sp sp sp but not much help. If someone drives by the house slow or at mail box she goes bonkers. I feel bad for her because she is missing out on a lot of adventures. I'm 68 and dislocated elbow and she is getting up there in age also. She gets praised " Good Girl Emma" when she minds. She has never bitten anyone or another dog. I kind of wonder if when she was a young pup/dog if she had a bad experience at a daycare or 2 for short periods. That was years ago. She is a great dog other than that aggression. She's very smart, does commands & retrieves, has great manners, loves to swim, go for walks, rides in side by side, loves cats. No food/toy aggressions at all. It's kind of a learned habit now. Exhausted in Michigan :-(

[@EverythingDog]

Hey exhausted in Michigan. Im so sorry to hear about this aggressive/reactive behavior. It can be so frustrating and confusing especially when our dogs are such cuddle bugs with us! She sounds like she is in an Emotional Dysregulation Cycle where her nervous system is overwhelmed and is short circuiting causing her to stay in fight or flight. When a dog is stuck in this way, they can really only focus on the next 10 - 30 seconds so no wonder you can not get her attention. We have a free webinar tomorrow night just for aggression/reactive behavior. Click here to join: denisemazzola.com/dog-aggression-webinar-o

[@anny8005]

Both me and my dog have been through trauma in differnet ways, both her and and I are fearful of men, have severe anxiet and we struggle during walks because she gets very confrontational, lunges towards people and dogs, pulls on the leash, and doesn't pay attention to me etc. She is very clear in her communication with me and i can read her well and I'm wondering if there is a way I can make her feel less anxious even when I as a person am very anxious?

[@EverythingDog]

Hey @anny8005 this is a complicated question. Her leash reactivity can be addressed. The easiest thing to tell you here is to carry super high-value treats with you - chicken, cheese, meatballs, freeze-dried liver - "mom arm" her back to you, ( like you would a child who was getting too close to the intersection) Tell her you've got this, you are protecting her and start feeding her continuously. It's not her job to protect you, it's your job to protect her. I would start with that. Im sorry you both have experienced trauma.

[@deestrange2192]

GSD 107lbs got a Herm Springer collar which helped, bought a cloth muzzle (he could care less) and started just plain old obedience training. Problem though he gets so scared say at the vet, but the vet just doesn't take the time too talk to him or pet him they come in and grab him and try to force him into a corner to submit. It just makes it worse. He also doesn't want you touching him when he can't control the situation. I am working on that with petting, rubbing feet and ears. This is the same dog that will play with a 5 year old that he didn't know and play ball and take/respect the child's commands. He took in a little 6 week old stray puppy and played gently with her even brought her his ball. I just need to fix this at 60 plus years I can't deal with him dragging us around or running into the road.

[@EverythingDog]

Hi Dee. I would strongly suggest changing the Veterinarian. Look for a vet office that is certified in Fear Free, even if you have to drive further. No dog should be forced into a corner to have anything done to him. And it makes perfect sense WHY he doesn't want anyone touching him when he can't control the situation, what happens at the veterinarian's office will affect his behavior in all other places. Rubbing and patting his feet is a nice thought, but your goal is to make a POSITIVE association with these exercises. Anytime you touch him, he needs to be paid generously. Give him 10 small pieces of a meatball EVERY TIME you touch him and LImit how much you touch him to 3-5x. Any and all other interactions must be initialed by HIM. He most likely loves children because they aren't trying to make him do things he doesn't want to do!

[@anyakunder]

Hi, I have a 5 month old puppy... she is not aggressive but she is reactive especially when new guests come into her territory... She barks a lot when guests come... do you know any techniques that can help solve this problem? Thanks 😊

[@amydenisesprivatechannel5575]

Hi Anya, not sure what you have tried already, but sometimes, removing the dog, to a back bedroom etc (out of sight), let the guests in and relax for 10-20 minutes, then let your pup out and see what happens. When men, in particular, come to our home, we put Jubilee in another room. Once the initial energy of guests coming into the home has settled down, we let her out. She will calmly walk out, sniff their feet then go lay down. She doesn't like people (men) entering HER space. It can be a quick fix if it works.

[@anyakunder]

@@amydenisesprivatechannel5575 thank you for the idea 😁

[@BeckysYarnEscape]

I have two female dogs one Aussie and one German. They are 9 months difference in age. Everything was great until the German went through her second heat. One night in the middle of the night when the Aussie needed to go out the German stood over her and I pulled the German Shepherd back and it started a fight. Two more fights happened before 8 am that morning. We have had about 3 other fights happen since then but we now keep them separate. The Aussie can go in the same room with the German while she is crated but tries not to. The German can't come into the room with the Aussie while she is crated. We do a crate and rotate. I hate doing this though. They both go to doggie daycare and have no issues with other dogs. I just dont understand what the problem is here.

[@EverythingDog]

Rebecca, this is a complicated and stressful situation. In the dog training world we say "males fights for points, but females fight for keeps" Crate and rotate is a good idea, but I wouldn't keep them crated in the same room, completely remove the crate to a safe space. Also if on is intact and you are not going to Breed her, spaying can HELP ALOT.

[@BeckysYarnEscape]

@@EverythingDog we spayed them both a couple of months ago. They appear to have a miscommunication. The Aussie will go in the room with the German crated but to have the German come into the room with the Aussie when she is crated causes an issue. It's very hard to read their signals because sometimes they look like they want to play with each other through the gate between the rooms. Unfortunately now we have another person living here with us and the gate doesn't always get closed fully or properly and it caused a fight today. The Aussie was crated at the time

[@EverythingDog]

@@BeckysYarnEscape There is no quick answer and given the seriousness of the situation, I would suggest booking an Initial Consult. Plan for 1.5 - 2 hours. The cost is a small investment towards the future of these dogs continuing to live together safely. Here is the link. Everythingdog.as.me/VirtualBehavioralConsultation