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Lead lunging update

Elizabeth Balcomb

Well-Known Member
Thought I would update on Lupos new dog aggressive behavior. I got a book on clicker training with an aggressive dog. I worked on the command to look in my eyes, I use the word eyes. Then I practiced it on walks we do around the place. I'm also exercising him harder. I then took him to training classes on Saturday (yesterday) , an obedience class with the local Rottie club. Not one single lunge, and only a short growl at a pup that was heading out way. I had a feeling he would be totally fine on the training ground. He trained beautifully, even a down stay where i dropped his leash and walked away.

After obedience class off we went to another trainer to do sniff work. I got there an hour earlier, to allow him to get used to the new space. He was very anxious, but we really trust eachother. I found a spot a short distance from the puppy class and I sat, and he lay next to me and I clicked and treated for all his relaxed behavior. The dogs for scent work arrived, all bouncy and crazy and greeting everyone. I kept our distance. I realize that he is anxious about being approached by both dog and human strangers and I respect that. The sniff work took place in a small hall, I really didn't think he would handle it. Hes never been in a room of strange dogs. At least they were all on lead. I waited until I could see we could get through the door without any dogs in his face and chose a chair where we could have space, and found a moment where I could tell everyone that he needs space. He lay down next to my chair and the whole time I clicked and treated for "eyes" . He was incredibly relaxed! I was so pleasantly surprised. Then I thought that there is no way he will be able to search the boxes for his cheese treat surrounded by dogs watching.. he worked beautifully!! Not one incident, and he really was able to keep focused despite all distractions.. so... happy mum here.
 

Elizabeth Balcomb

Well-Known Member
So I suppose the question is, if he tolerates other dogs on the training ground, why not in the street, and how do I generalize this tolerance...
I have a feeling that on the street he is worried that the dog may get at him. There are loose dogs around occassionally. So in his mind he wants to stop them before they start. But this doesn't explain why hes starting to behave in an aggressive and dominant way to his 'friends ' .. perhaps he is becoming 'dominant'?
 

glen

Super Moderator
Staff member
How old is he. I have 3 males my eldest will not tolerate other male dogs out of his pack that challenge him
It started to come more noticeable when he was around 12 months, we noticed his body language change towards dogs that he had seen many times on his outings. But we then looked at the other dogs and they had changed towards him also, they want to challenge him. We trained and trained more, we help our friends they run an agility group and behaviour training, we took him with us, we got him to ignore, but still to this day and hes nearly 8 if a dog approaches him and trys to challenge its game on. We live in the countryside and we can have him off leash we trained freeze so he stays on the spot then here he comes instantly even if another dog in the distance is seen, but we can see hes hyped up ready, unfortunatly we have had occassions where the owner isnt in control of the other dogs. But he wont start the fight, so in my experience some dogx are just this way.
Hes amzing with the family and there dogs, loves kids and puppies hes a nanny dog, amazing gaurd dog. Hes just how he is .
Id just keep doing what you are, train him to a very high standard,
My other 2 totally ignore dogs they could be brushing past them as long as the other dogs ok, iv even had snappy little dogs trying to jump up at them, with the owners saying come on fluffy he would swallow you whole, they would just ignore, and id say well yes if it was my other one he would.
 

Elizabeth Balcomb

Well-Known Member
How old is he. I have 3 males my eldest will not tolerate other male dogs out of his pack that challenge him
It started to come more noticeable when he was around 12 months, we noticed his body language change towards dogs that he had seen many times on his outings. But we then looked at the other dogs and they had changed towards him also, they want to challenge him. We trained and trained more, we help our friends they run an agility group and behaviour training, we took him with us, we got him to ignore, but still to this day and hes nearly 8 if a dog approaches him and trys to challenge its game on. We live in the countryside and we can have him off leash we trained freeze so he stays on the spot then here he comes instantly even if another dog in the distance is seen, but we can see hes hyped up ready, unfortunatly we have had occassions where the owner isnt in control of the other dogs. But he wont start the fight, so in my experience some dogx are just this way.
Hes amzing with the family and there dogs, loves kids and puppies hes a nanny dog, amazing gaurd dog. Hes just how he is .
Id just keep doing what you are, train him to a very high standard,
My other 2 totally ignore dogs they could be brushing past them as long as the other dogs ok, iv even had snappy little dogs trying to jump up at them, with the owners saying come on fluffy he would swallow you whole, they would just ignore, and id say well yes if it was my other one he would.
Thanks for this. Yes, hes just turned 2. Hes an amazing guard dog, and incredible with kids, and a jem member of the family. I accept how he is.. will keep going. Thanks for your time..