Attacks other dogs when there is excitement

Question
QUESTION: I have a medium sized mix breed dog, Chloe, who is energetic and affectionate. We also have two other dogs who are generally well behaved. Chloe minds fairly well but has one bad behavior which starts fights in our house.

When there is excitement and lots of barking, jumping, or crying (e.g. when we return home), Chloe will attack one of the other dog, as if to quiet that dog. This is the only time she attacks another dog. How can we change this behavior?

ANSWER: Hello Jackie,

You can change Chloe's behavior by changing your behavior. Why is there all this ruckus when you return home? Your leaving and returning should not be occasions for your dogs to riot.

Start practicing leaving and returning with your dogs. Correct any manic behavior and reward the dogs with a treat when they display calm behavior. Do this many times during the day.

Often we enjoy the affectionate greetings our dogs give us and inadvertently encourage it. This is not healthy behavior and it appears Chloe has reacted to your stimulus in a neurotic fashion. Stop it.

Good Luck!

Sandy



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

QUESTION: Sandy,

Thank you for the answer. I will work on the manic behavior when I return home. How about when the dogs get excited because of an animal or people passing by the house? This sometimes ends up in a fight because of Chloe's tendency to attack when the other dogs are excited.

Answer
Jackie,

I realize you would like to learn some simple, professional secret to curb this manic behavior your dogs are presenting. The reality is, you should be able to tell your dogs "NO" and whatever they are doing will immediately cease.

The way Trainers teach their clients to do this is by using pack psychology to have their clients assume the mantle of leadership or Alpha dog. If your dog(s) view you as the leader they will obey you. If your authority is questionable then their level of obedience will also be questionable.

So the simplest answer is to instruct you to correct your dogs when they display manic behavior and to praise/reward them when they display calm behavior. The difficulty is and why professional trainers stay very busy is because communicating to your dog that you are the leader is a complicated matter of communication between two different species. It is the subject of lengthy books and something I spend long hours working with clients to try to teach.

With that said, I'd finally suggest you spend some time researching pack psychology and examine what you may be communicating to your dogs. Feel free to start at my website and read the numerous articles I've written on leading your dog. Dogs are wonderful creatures that live to obey and please their masters. The trick is to be the master in your dogs eyes and all these minor behavior issues will disappear at your command.

Hopefully this is helpful to you.

Sandy
http://perfecgtdogtraining.com