Help Please! My sweet dog is becoming aggressive

Question
Harry,
Thank you for your letter and great advice.
It made me laugh because when I read the letter I had just come back from a walk with Nash...without a leash.  It will be an adjustment for both of us but it will be worth it.
I enrolled Nash and I in a class starting in January and I will keep you informed on how it goes.  
Thank you for caring enough and volunteering for this site!

-------------------------

Followup To

Question -
Mr. Peterson,
I have a 3 year old husky/lab/shephard mix that was neutered at 10 months.  He is a very sweet dog and I used to think that he was ridiculously naive and someone could punch him and he would just be happy.  We used to go to the dog park daily but he got attacked 4 times (once he came out missing a piece of flesh from his rear).  Three times was by the same dog that the owner new had aggression issues but she kept trying to socialize him.  After the 4th time the owner stopped bringing her dog into the main part of the park but her dog was barking and growling through the fence at my dog.  My dog was standing by a water dish and another dog came up to him.  My dog snapped at the dog so I made him sit (kind of a doggie time out).  When he was done he went back to the water bowl and when a dog came near him he attacked.  He doesn't look like he's biting to hurt but he is growling and definately aggressive.   Then a friend of mine asked me to puppysit his corgy/beagle mix for 10 months.  we came back to the park another day and my dog was aggessive again for no reason.  We took him to a park for a third time.  All of the dogs were considerably smaller than him and he was fine.  He didn't play with the other dogs like he used to.  He mostly just wanted to play fetch and wouldn't even play tug-o-war.  He has never shown an aggressive bone to the dog I am puppy sitting until tonight.  I was combing Nash out with the Furminator (he hates to be combed) and when the corgy/beagle mix came near him my dog snapped at him.  The corgy beagle was petrified and so it turned into a fight that I had to break up.  It wasn't serious but I enjoyed having a dog I could take anywhere (without a leash) and know that he was going to be well behaved and sweet and never hostile.  How do I get my sweet sweet puppy back?  How can I make him feel safe again.

Answer -
Hi Erica,

It sounds from your writing that Nash was fine until the irresponsible owner of the dog that attacked him 4 times broke his normal behavior pattern and, righfully so, heightned his survival instincts. Those incidents probably started the ball rolling and brought about the unfortunate results that we want to eliminate, and definitely prevent from getting worse.

The good news is he is a young adult with, to this point, a great personality, and his lineage (husky/lab/shepherd) are favorable as to overall disposition. I'm assuming this problem hasn't been on-going for a lenghty period and, if I'm correct, you may have caught it in time for repair.

I agree with your words, "He doesn't look like he's biting to hurt but he is growling and definately aggressive." If I am correct, he is not intentionally striking-out to do physical harm to any dog but, by growling and being, as you put it, "definately aggressive", he is giving fair warning to the approaching dog to leave him alone and stay clear of his territory and possessions.

In regards to the corgy/beagle mix your are pet sitting for your friend. It sounds as if Nash has settled the matter as to whom is superior in the house. I don't think there will be further battle between the two. However, if the corgy/beagle does approach Nash in a way that is threatening or suspicious, he could growl and possibly snap. From the description in your letter, I believe the corgy/beagle will quickly take the hint and leave Nash alone.

Now for the hopeful solution. Part of it you will not like, but it is not a lifetime necessity.

I strongly suggest that you enroll in a group obedience class. Not so much for the purpose of teaching him the exercises, because if he's been off leash for all this time, you must have sufficient basic control. I want to see him in a group class so he will have the opportunity to socialize with the other dogs. It is highly probable that as the weeks progress, he will become friendly with some of the other dogs. Each time he does act in a positive way towards another dog, praise him enthusiastically. Each time he may appear aggressive, correct him as you stated to me in your letter--a doggie time out.

Now, for the part you really won't like. He should not be allowed to be free from a leash. This is for several reasons. (1) You will have better control over him if something is about to happen. (2) You should be able to prevent him from getting hurt, or from him hurting another dog. (3) In the beginning you will be able to pick and choose the dogs you will permit him to associate with. For example, you mentioned in your letter the smaller dogs in the park on one visit were smaller. Great, bring him in contact with the smaller dogs, remaining on guard. As progress is made, graduate to the larger dogs. (4) You will save considerable money on vet bills.

It is important you stay as relaxed as possible while he is on leash and approaching a dog. If you tense up he will sense that something is wrong, not realizing your fear for him, and that nervousness of yours could trigger an aggressive action.

Erica, you can do this. You can as you put it "How do I get my sweet sweet puppy back?  How can I make him feel safe again." All it will take on your part is Practice, Patience, and Praise. The love you already have for him.

Please stay in touch with me. I am interested.

Good luck........Harry  

Answer
Hi Erica,

You have made my day! I am sincerely looking forward to hearing the progress you make with Nash. As I said in my letter, you can do it. Hang in there. Nash and I are both rooting for you.

As for the leash, think of it that he is walking you and not you walking him.

Please keep me updated and thank you very much for your kind words.

Tell Nash I said Hi.

Harry