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[NiKlaus]

HI,

Just wanted to introduce myself and my 19 weeks old CC, NiKlaus Odin. I am very pleased to have stumbled across this website. The members offer very useful information. While I am on the subject, I am curious if anyone can provide me with advise. I had an incident today where Klaus postured up and growled at another dog while we were walking. This is the first time he has shown some type of aggression to another dog. He is socialized, and for the most part used to other animals. I take him to our local pet stores where he interacts and meets other dogs including cats. Perhaps this may shed more light. I was walking Klaus with my two younger kids when I noticed that there is another dog family behind us. Silly me i wanted to get a chance for a meet and greet, therefore I slowed down. However when Klaus realized that there is another dog behind us, he stopped. In a matter of a few seconds, Klaus postured up and started growling. This is a behavior Ive never seen before. I attempted to calm him down by telling him its ok and that the other dog is nice etc... However before I can get through to him, the other dog family walked the other way. Now i am confused I am not sure if Klaus sensed that the other dog is not friendly hence they went the other way or did they because of Klaus. Any thoughts...

Thanks,

Jaz

 

[Smokeycat]

Welcome.

 

[Smart_Family]

Welcome!

 

[Geisthexe]

Welcome!


GRCH CH UWPV UWPO UWPE UWPCH UWP URO1 UAG1 Conan De Warsney WP 1,2 WD 1,2,3 TAN CGC
CH UWP Xade De Warsney BH ACAL 1,2,3 CCF 1,2,3

 

[Misfit36]

Welcome, I am by no means a trainer. Heck, I've only had my Corso a week but I can share some things I have read, been told. Never correct a growl, it's a dogs way off communicating and it's not always "aggressive" behavior. Sometimes it's just a warning like " hey I don't like this situation, so I'm just letting you know that" Another thing I've been told is to never coddle a puppy who is in an unsure situation, let them figure it out for themselves. So far with my girl, if there's a noise or thing outside she's a little unsure of, I stand there next to her in a way to say things are cool. She usually sits next to me looks up, realizes its cool (without me saying a word) and then after a few seconds we'll move along with our walk. It seems she responds to me being calm and assertive in my body language. Same thing happened with the vacuum lol

 

[Remie]

NiKlaus, Welcome to the forum.

 

[Geisthexe]

You need to get into training with your dog. Find a trainer that works with behavior issues.

But you can start by doing some obedience exercises with the dog before you go for your walk. We as trainers call it stimulating the brain.

As I tell my students and many on here start with the focus (Watch me / Look) by doing this you are building a bond between you and your dog. So many think bc he runs, jumps, licks me I have a great bond, but in fact the dog owns you not you owning the dog. The reason I state this is bc if you were in a serious situation you would NOT be able to call your dog off. Where is you have a bond you can. Ex: all my Presas & Malinois if something becomes an issue I can yell NINE (I speak German to my dogs) so nine is NO. All my dogs hit the ground. So at this point I can deal with the situation. This is what you want is the dog to respond to YOU

If you look for the post "Motivation & Focus Heeling you will be able to read how to achieve the correct focus and I posted 2 videos so you can see.

I hope this helps you get started

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

Welcome to the board!

 

[NiKlaus]

Thanks Deb, I appreciate the feedback and special thanks to everyone for a very warm welcome.

 

[Rugers-Kris]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your baby!!

 

[Kate Williams]

My boy will do the same thing it's not aggression with him just his way of initiating play with other dogs at first it made me nervous but after a few months and no aggression just playfulness I figured it out.

 

[DennasMom]

I agree with MisFit36 - he was just letting you know he was uncomfortable, telling him "it's ok" at that point is basically rewarding his growling and posturing. The sooner you can get him to look at you for direction the better - which is where Deb's recommendation for the focus training is perfect!

Being 19 weeks, he's probably just starting to come into the gurdian instincts... so it's a good time to have your plan ready for how you want him to react - and then reward him for the correct reaction. For me, that is a 'sit' and 'wait' whenever there's a strange dog or human coming at us on a walk. I want Denna to keep her focus on me until I give the "ok" to greet the person or dog. So far, as long as I have treats in hand... she's doing great with that routine.

 

[Ben Curtis]

I think much of this depends on the growl you described. I think there is a difference between a growl warning, and growl I'm going to defend myself, and there is an infantile amount of middle ground. My brothers dog gives off a warning growl if Leo gets too close to his bone, but if Leo jumps on his back he gets a completely different growl. Neither of these growls are much more of a warning for Leo. I am sure that there is an entirely different level of growl if Leo did not get off his back.

With that said, you know your dog best. Did the growl worry you that your dog was going to take action, or was it more of an uncomfortable, what's up with this growl? Depending on that, it will change how you should react to the situation.

I agree with all the posts so far, and all seem right on to me, and it just depends.

I also have a 20 week old CC. I have been wondering how Leo will react to other people walking there dogs, but it has been so cold out, that Leo and I are the only fools out on the road this time of year.

 

[NiKlaus]

Thanks for the feedback. The more I thought about what happened, I am convinces that he def felt uncomfortable an was ready to take action. Since that was the first time it happened, I did not what to do. Thanks to everyone that suggested I start focus training. Will keep everyone posted...

 

[ZoeOwner]

Geisthexe has the right idea and obviously knows what they are talking about. You can train your dog to do pretty much anything. If you want your dog to growl let it growl, or you can train that. If you don't want your dog to growl train it not to growl.

Your dog doesn't care. Your dog wants to do whatever makes you happy and gets it praise love treats and a safe place to eat and sleep. If you don't train your dog to know what makes you happy, it will not know what makes you happy, and it won't do it.

I would advise you to train your dog to at least stop growling at your command. If some stranger's dog came up to my dog and started growling, I would give the other owner about 15 seconds to stop the behavior or go away before I put that stranger dog down hard. Could it be innocent, playful behavior? I don't care. I'm not willing to take the risk.

The other family was very polite and considerate. Since you obviously were not in control of the situation, they removed themselves from it. Bottom line: you need to be in control at all times.

 

[Cody]

You need to remember that this is a guardian breed, especially when kids are involved CC can and will get protective.
I am not condoning the behavior but remember what you have, NOT a lab. You should get your pup into training with a knowledgeable trainer, and learn to control/direct/focus so that you can stop the behavior.
As for the comment above, about "putting that stranger dog down hard" lol, you may want to be careful with that one. Many dogs will not appreciate that

 

[cwayaustx]

Geisthexe has the right idea and obviously knows what they are talking about. You can train your dog to do pretty much anything. If you want your dog to growl let it growl, or you can train that. If you don't want your dog to growl train it not to growl.

Your dog doesn't care. Your dog wants to do whatever makes you happy and gets it praise love treats and a safe place to eat and sleep. If you don't train your dog to know what makes you happy, it will not know what makes you happy, and it won't do it.

I would advise you to train your dog to at least stop growling at your command. If some stranger's dog came up to my dog and started growling, I would give the other owner about 15 seconds to stop the behavior or go away before I put that stranger dog down hard. Could it be innocent, playful behavior? I don't care. I'm not willing to take the risk.

The other family was very polite and considerate. Since you obviously were not in control of the situation, they removed themselves from it. Bottom line: you need to be in control at all times.

This is dangerous, a dog that doesnt growl gives no warning... OP please seek the advice of a professional trainer, there are knowledgable answers to your post but this is not one of them, Welcome!

 

[NiKlaus]

Thanks I agree. Zoe I am not trying to justify what NiKlaus did, however I am also bearing in mind that he is a puppy and that the incident was the first time it happened. (Its a good thinng it did because I now know what to do) Again in light of what happened, Klaus is enrolled in obedience training and we will work on behavior, focus and motivation. I feel that your disposition to this matter is a bit over the edge but I appreciate your concerns. Thanks!