Help! My dog is acting aggressive to other dogs!

There is such joy in the simple act of taking a walk with your dog. It can be a time when you get to relax and let your mind drift away from the worries of the day. It is just you with your dog at your side, that is until he suddenly sees another dog and the frenzy begins. Barking, lunging, growling and dragging you, flailing, at the end of the leash. You can clearly see the look of fear on the other owner’s face, and then the judgment: “Can’t you control your dog?” The relaxation is long gone and the embarrassment is crushing. “Why is MY dog so cranky?”

Whether your dog just looks scary or has actually fought with or even injured another dog, this type of behavior is known as dog-to-dog aggression. It can be very isolating for dogs and their owners as they begin to limit the places they go and the times that they can do outdoor activities.Although you may feel like you are the only one whose dog is out of control, dog-to-dog aggression is unfortunately, not an uncommon problem.

The plethora of information on dog- to-dog aggression that is available on the internet and TV is testament to how many people have this problem. Unfortunately though, not all of the information that is available is reliable, or safe. Other dog owners, and even non- dog owners will often weigh in with how they have handled the problem or have seen it handled on TV. It can be tempting, but also very dangerous, to take their well-meaning but often misinformed advice.These TV shows and knowledgeable neighbors make it seem SO easy.That is, until you try it.Then it isn’t so simple after all.Aggression should only be handled by skilled professionals with extensive experience.

For the majority of dogs, aggressive behavior is rooted in fear. It can be the result of poor or inadequate socialization as a puppy, something that was learned from a housemate, or even the consequence of a traumatic event, such as an attack. The goal of this barking, lunging behavior is to keep the other dog as

far away as possible.Yes, there are some dogs that just like a good row, but in reality those are few. Even
the most fearful dog can look very ferocious, and unless you have lots of experience with it, it can be hard to understand how ferocious and fearful come together.

In an effort to get their dogs under control, most people turn to traditional obedience training. Unfortunately, this isn’t an ‘obedience’ problem.The dog has not ‘chosen’ to misbehave or disregard his owner. He simply can’t respond to a command because he is already in an aroused state (i.e., barking, lunging) that prevents him from doing anything else.This is a behavioral problem that needs a much more comprehensive approach.

When dealing with dog-to-dog aggression, the recommended approach is one that incorporates positive reinforcement training with behavior modification. Specifically, behavior modification focuses on changing the underlying emotion or motivation that drives the behavior. Once the underlying condition is addressed, then the more relaxed dog can be taught skills that replace the unwanted behavior.The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior provides specific position statements
to address this very issue (http:// avsabonline.org/resources/position- statements). It should be noted that, due to the potential for side effects and/or worsening the behavior, dominance and punishment should be avoided.

Finding a knowledgeable trainer/ behavior counselor can be a difficult task. Online resources such as the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC.org) or the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT.com) are good places to start. Once you have identified a few candidates, you can narrow down your selection by looking for consultants who have advanced education and hands on experience.Ask for references and a chance to observe them handling a dog or teaching a class.

Group classes, sometimes referred to as ‘growl classes,’ if taught correctly, offer the perfect solution.They give you the perfect opportunity to work your dog in a controlled environment with other dogs present and build up the number of positive experiences your dog has in the presence of other dogs. Eventually, those positive experiences outweigh the negative or fear-generating ones they had before.

Classes focus on teaching skills to help you successfully deal with dog-to-dog situations in real-life settings while changing the dog’s behavior from reactive to calm. Not everyone offers these classes though, and not everyone should. Before enrolling, ask how long the classes have been offered, where the instructors got their education, and the types of methodology they will use. Don’t be afraid to ask if you can speak to former students and make every effort to observe a class.

With a good group class, improvement can occur.As with all behavior modification, it will occur slowly
over time. Behavioral change does not happen like a light switch going on and off. It is more like a dimmer switch. Behaviors aren’t stopped, they are changed into something more appropriate. For any real progress to be made though, training must continue, and it is undeniably work.The reward though is a less cranky dog and a nice boring walk!