Question:
Hi All. I haven't posted in awhile but I need some advise. My 8 month old Boston Terrier has started to be aggressive. Mostly towards other dogs but will sometimes bark aggressively at strangers when i have her on a leash. My biggest concern is that she has attacked my 9 year old Chihuahua 3 times to the point where I had to pry her jaws off of his neck!! And for Labor day I took her over to Kelley's Island for a family get together and I couldn't even let her off her leash in the cabin because she kept trying to attack my sister's Sheba Inu. I don't understand...I have had her around other dogs as long as I have had her. She has been camping with us and has been around dogs and people her whole young life. Why is she doing this. My poor chi has done nothing but sit in a corner for 2 days now. I have to force him to come eat and go outside. She leaves my Chow/Shepherd alone. No problems with the two of them. Now I'm thinking I need to find her a new home. I can't have her attacking dogs, especially one she lives with.
I'd appreciate any advise I could get. I don't want to get rid of her. But I'm confused about what to do.
Thank you, Tammy
Answer:
First, I'd call a good professional trainer ASAP. Aggression is something that you should take very seriously, and it's better to get a handle on it now.
Answer:
You have to be careful when you label a dog aggressive. First of all, how many fights has your dog been in? Secondly (and most importantly) how many times did either dog have to go to the vets as a complication?
If you're dog has seriously injured another dog, then it's bite inhibition isn't good and the outlook is bleak. However, if there were no or minimal injuries you should be able to rehabilitate.
Vicious aggression isn't common in an eight month old puppy, sometimes in shelter dogs that have been abused, or in pups who were violently attacked by dogs when they were young. How much has this dog been socialised? does she bite the chihuahua in play? My puppy used to bite my chi's in frustration when they wouldn't play with him. Is there alot of snarling, raised hackles when the fights happen? Do you seperate them immediatly?
Sometimes it is best to let the dogs sort it out between themselves, if no physical damage is being done.
Answer:
Thank you for your replies. No, she hasn't caused any serious injury. And it is usually because Libby (Boston) wants to play with him and he doesn't want to play so he snaps at her. Then she gets mad and snarls at him and next thing you know they're into it! I usually have to force Libby to let his skin go. Should I let them hash it out? She has been socialized ever since we've had her with a few different dogs and people. She was born in a house with 3 other Adult Bostons and her 2 litter mates. I want to get her around more dogs to get her used to them but when she starts acting mean, the other owners usually take their dogs away. (understandably so.) Is this something I can resolve on my own or do I need to get professional help?
thanks again so much, Tammy
Answer:
First off, if there has been no damage the outlook looks good. I am totally sympathetic to this situation, it is almost identical to when I introduced my collie to my chihuahua's. But, Azlan would back down when they bit him. It's hard to recommend a strategy when I havn't seen the fighting. If either dog is squeeling, or on it's back seperate them immediatly by clapping and rediverting the attention. Dog fights are hugely scarey to humans, as it looks like they are killing each other, but often times this is just the way dogs conduct arguments.
Your chi is obviously smaller and more vulnerable than the chow mix, so your boston is finding it convenient to pick on her. If there is ongoing animosty between the two, try actively making it pleasent for them to be together, ie take them on walks together, feed them together. Don't split up the fight immediatly, let them have it out for a while and see if they can sort it out.
I really don't thing your Boston is aggressive, I think it just is a teeny bit undersocialised with other dogs, and is still learning manners. If you have friends with large, reliable dogs that don't have a history of aggression, you may try putting your Boston in a pen with them for a while. Generally, puppies get taught a very quick lesson by large adult dogs, and it's good for her to keep her social skills sharp.
Another good idea is to "drain" her prey drive by playing heaps of games such as tog of war, hide and seek and fetch. She will be much less likely to want to play with the chi if she is mentally and physically satisfied by training and excercise.