sprocker aggression

Question
QUESTION: Hi,I have a ten month old springer x cocker intact dog,had him from eight weeks.twenty four years experience with springer spaniels got sprocker thinking it would be not so boistrous but big mistake this dog is hyper and showing dominance aggression with other dogs and with me I am considering neutering to try to calm him down, have never had my previous Springers done dog and bitch never had any problems like this. Do you think this wil help or should I try to rehome him.when out on walks he pulls terribly. I got him as a companion as I live alone but he is a nightmare at times,don't want to part  with him but I am getting so disalusioned

ANSWER: Yes, it's very possible neutering will help and should be done anyway for long term health problems.

I need to know precisely how and when this "dominance" is expressed
before suggesting anything.  What do you do when he does this?

And how much exercise does he get daily?  A whole lot of bad behavior is due to boredom and pent up energy.

What commands does he know?  How much training have you done?
Where does he sleep?
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi D,he has the odd time been aggressive on lead to male dogs.When off lead if any dog appears he will go down on his belly like stalking then go in with his hackles up very pronounced.seems ok with bitches.He was drying off infront of the fire and I went to move him and he started mouthing I went to tap him over the nose  and he managed to bite me,He meant it, no blood.I retaliated by useing my slipper and really shouting at him to go to his bed which he did. He got the cold shoulder from me for two days, got his usual three walks a day of thirty mins duration and his food but no affection. This is the first time he has bitten. he was house trained in one week,he will retrieve balls and toys for treats,will sit and stay,won't take his food till he's told He is not gentle when given rewards he tends to snatch,sleeps in his own bed in the kitchen . I am afraid to take him to dog training  becauce of his dominance, I am on edge when out walking him and feel very tense.There was only two pups in the litter both dogs

ANSWER: Let me explain that dogs "measure" their bites.  If he didn't break skin/no blood, it was a nip.  And, of course, not acceptable.

You did precisely the wrong thing by hitting and yelling.  And ignoring him for 2 days would mean nothing except he'd be bewildered.
Dogs live "in the moment".

Now...I need more details about his aggression.  What Exactly does he do with male dogs?  What happens after he goes down on his belly in a stalking position?  Is there any actual aggression or is this all for show?

Honestly I think you're over-reacting a bit here.

It sounds like he's well trained but needs a bit of reminding of his position in the pack.  The treats, for instance.  Make him sit - place the treat on your open palm and make him wait until you say "Okay".  A dog eager to get a treat sometimes doesn't mean to include your finger :)

This boy and you need to go to dog training and get a professional to show you what to use and how to use it to make him not pull on walks
and how to correct him properly.  The fact that you're tense is travelling right down the leash and isn't helping matters.

So please describe the aggression to male dogs and what actually happens when he's off leash.

Now here's something to try when he's the slightest bit indicating dominance.  Get down on his level - STARE right into his eyes - be very still and in a quiet but near-threatening tone say NO.
Count to 3 - say it again - and again. Do NOT lose eye contact...  when he breaks eye contact you just won.

In a pack of dogs the alpha would first give a very low warning growl (NO) and then would come "the stare".  It's back-off time :) for the offender.

I think you have a good boy there who just needs the extra mile of training and a little more authority from you.

And, by the way, if he just went off to his bed after the experience you described then you don't have a really serious problem.  It's a problem that is very solveable.

Trust me - I've dealt with a rescue who had a deeply serious possession-aggression problem and his "bite" would not have just been broken skin and blood - you would have been missing fingers.
How is he now?  Perfect.  And I never want to do this again but I knew I was his last chance.

Your boy is trying you on - he's losing :) - but you definitely need some classes or, if budget allows, a trainer to come to the house.
It's faster - better - and, in the end, cheaper.  Once you conquer the pulling issue it will affect his basic attitude and a good trainer will show you how to "anticipate" bad behavior.  That's the key.  You correct BEFORE the action happens - not when the dog is in full dominant mode. You correct when you see the signal he's going into that place.

And this dog should never be off leash for the time being.  You're not in control yet so that's asking for trouble and really, it's not fair to the dog.
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi D, thanx so much for your advice, when he is in stalking mode it is like what a sheep dog does herding the sheep then he goes in with hackles right up and snarls  and starts bother, the last confrontation he went in there was a skirmish with another dominant dog he received a bite then retreated back to me,I try to get his attention to deter him going in by calling him back but to no avail,indoors he does most things he is asked for a treat but outside switches off.It's very hard trying to hold this dog back on the lead he is so strong but I hear what your saying.

Answer
Okay, it very much sounds like he's putting on a show and the last dog called his bluff so he went racing back to Mommy :)
Think about it - he did NOT engage but retreated.  As he did with you.


And he must be on leash and when you first see another dog THAT is when you exert some authority.  After all you know he's going to do it so correct him before he gets into gear.

Two things:  Either keep him on short leash with a "Let's go" and you run right past and he comes with you, like it or not.

Or you take him aside to let the other dog & owner pass and MAKE him sit.  Position yourself to block his view.

Both things need to be done calmly and authoritatively..no fuss..no yelling...just do it.  Message is "We do not engage".  Pack leader says so.

Also I question whether he thinks he's protecting you?  Take that into consideration and adjust your attitude to "matter of fact".

If you have a patient friend with a cool, relaxed dog - set him up and practice with him but most definitely get some professional advice.

And in the house, stop giving treats every time he obeys.  Do it every 2nd time - then every 3rd time.

A good trainer can do wonders but they're basically training the owner :)  I think my own "bad boy" knew the minute my favorite trainer walked into the house that the jig was up.  Still, we needed a few tricks and one was a remote control citronella collar.  When he didn't obey "OUT" (drop it) one click gave him a snootful.  I've never seen a dog so totally stunned.  He thought I had magical powers and within days all I had to do was handle the remote and out it came.
Then it became habit just due to association.

So what you have here is not real aggression - it's plain old undisciplined bad behavior by a show off male of a certain age. (Think teenage boy).
But deal with it because bad behavior can and will accelerate.
Delores