Aggressive Towards a Corso Puppy

[hoodun]

I just came across a Corso puppy (6 months) and introduced the little guy with my 18 month Corso. My dog snapped at the pup and it seemed like a corrective behavior so I let them sniff. She then snapped more aggressively. I have never seen her act like this towards another dog. She has been great with all dogs (though plays rough) and is highly socialized being a city dog.

Have any other Corso owners experienced aggressiveness towards puppies, specifically its own breed?

Here she is playing with a Samoyed that is only 1 year old:

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

Sometimes there is just something about a dog they don't like. As long as she is non-reactive when the dog isn't in her face then I wouldn't stress it. I don't like everyone either so I don't expect my dog to.

 

[hoodun]

Thanks for the response. Could it be dominance correction? Is this breed just aggressive when correcting a puppies behavior? I ask because it is possible another puppy may be coming soon. I'm trying to prepare for what may come...

 

[Hector]

Your dog was just being an ass. Bad behaviors need a good correction. First warning and you should have kept the puppy away and protected her space, but you allowed it to escalate. Could it be that she hasn't been socialized around puppies? Do other dogs usually sniff her? Was she guarding your space? Think...there must be something.

 

[hoodun]

I did not introduce them correctly. I usually introduce her to new dogs on a walk side to side or in front/ back. This time I thought she would be motherly towards the puppy and I approached straight on. The puppy was full of energy and jumped to play and then she snapped at it. It was an aggressive snap. Scared the other guy and I immediately walked away.

She's never been around puppies.

I have noticed that she is starting to show a little fear around other dogs. She will cross to my other side when we are passing an oncoming dog. She never used to be like this. Is it that 2 years is a transitional year for dogs? Its not the first time I have seen a dog change behavior around this age (regardless of breed). 2-3 always seems to induce a change in behavior.

 

[Hector]

I did not introduce them correctly. I usually introduce her to new dogs on a walk side to side or in front/ back. This time I thought she would be motherly towards the puppy and I approached straight on. The puppy was full of energy and jumped to play and then she snapped at it. It was an aggressive snap. Scared the other guy and I immediately walked away.

She's never been around puppies.

I have noticed that she is starting to show a little fear around other dogs. She will cross to my other side when we are passing an oncoming dog. She never used to be like this. Is it that 2 years is a transitional year for dogs? Its not the first time I have seen a dog change behavior around this age (regardless of breed). 2-3 always seems to induce a change in behavior.

Yes, there can be changes. Do you know if it's hormonal or just something that needs work ? She's telling you she is uncomfortable with the dog so close to her. You can work on her confidence using pack walks (ppl with controlled dogs) and group training sessions (ppl with controlled dogs) and work on the passing while you try and engage and reward. Don't start too close at first.

 

[DennasMom]

Sounds like she just wasn't ready for an energetic puppy to be all up in her face... and she let the puppy know, in no uncertain terms... to back off. I would have walked her away (like you did)... then had her sit and observe the puppy from a distance for a while before leaving for good. Just so you could leave with her observing the puppy in a positive light. That way the next greeting may go better (or not...).

Definitely plan more for your next meet & greet with a puppy. Maybe seek some other puppies out if you can for some practice.

There is a "coming of age" shift around her age, sometimes (we didn't see one in Denna) - so you might need to step up the socialization plan for a few months to help her through it. Keep up with confidence building exercises, visiting new places, greeting new people (practice the formal "sit & wait" for greetings), etc. Make sure you end all interactions on a positive note - even if it's just sitting from afar to observe the object that might have triggered a bad response. Let her know that walking away is always an option, and snapping is not recommended, and that YOU will be there to support, protect and help her through it all.

If you do bring a puppy home to live with her, make sure she always has a safe, quiet place to retreat to that the puppy is not allowed to go. Give her lots of attention and one-on-one time, so the puppy is just a new fixture in the house to ignore, until she feels comfortable enough to engage with the puppy herself. That will take controlling the puppy, too, of course, which might prove more of a challenge.