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Luka is a 16 month old dane, Until now the last month he has been great with all dogs but the last few weeks he has been getting into fights, at first it was with dogs that had come at him when he was a pup when he was much smaller. But today he just lunged and started fighting with a dog he has never met.

We do have another dog in the house that I am pet sitting for 3 weeks and he has been with me for 1 weeks so far, he is not neutered but luka is, and there was only the intial 10 mins when luka was not being nice but is fine with him now

when he was a pup he was attacted by a malmute, not much damage but a bite on his face, He just ran and hid behind me and I fought off the toher dog , when he was a little older another older great,dane went at him and luka ran so far away that it took a while to catch up to him. a couple of months later a shepperd out of nowhere bit him really good and it needed stiches to repair the hole. every time it happened he did nothing back.just ran away.

He was good with all the other dogs and did nothing until a few weeks ago when a big ridgeback growled at him, well he growled a growl I had not herd before so I grabed him and kept him away, then he just started chasing other dogs and dumping them down on the ground. no biting just knocing them down. and holding them there, until i was able to pull him off. I would make him lay down and stay and not play just stay.

then last week a dog that growled at him and lunged at him beforewas around, he growled again and it was a full fledged fight, then the next day a husky came to him and just stood very still and growled, in lukas face, and as i was moving in to move luka the fight started and i was bit by other dog. that was my falt i know I put my body(my butt) in the way while grabing luka and i got bit.
But today it was a dog on a leash.that dog did not growl or anything just walking by and luka lunged at it and started fighting with it. this time there was no reason.

I dunno what to do, He and I have many dog friends that he is great with, little dogs he lays down and they jump all over him or jump and hang off his jowls and he does nothing. but now I am afraid to bring him to the park becasause I don't know what he will do. to dogs he does not now. I dunno if the other dog in my house has anything to do with it. Domi is an older golden with very little training, is lousy on leash, and does not come when called. Domi was never out of his home till he came here. so I dunno if having the other dog has started this aggression with other dogs. What can i do so I can go back to the park and enjoy our time together therel

Over all Luka is well behaved, comes, (most times) sits , Looks, ect and did so at the park until the last week where if there is a dog he does not like he igonors me and goes after them.
My trainer says it is time for a pinch,(hate them)
any other advice??

It doesn't sound like he's an 'aggressive' dog, it sounds like he's feeding off your fear. Sounds like you need to retrust him, umbillical him alot. I've never known a Dane to be aggressive other than from abuse, neglect and no training. It sounds like you really love him, I'd try umbillical.

My 6month old dane bit my brother today, they were fighting about something on a walk. He tried getting Strut back to the car and put him in, when he bit him (no blood)! When they got home my brother was pissed off (he gets angry quickly) and I think Strut was feeding off that anger and was scared. My brother also doesn't do any training with the dogs, just playing. I told him he needs to do umbillical etc, not just play. I think he's mad at me for not getting mad at my pup.

http://www.slice.ca/Shows/EpisodeGuide.aspx?Title_Id=113497&Root_Title_Id=105200 <- this was a good episode. I dont know if you can or where you can get the video of it, but if you can find it it'd be worth it.

It does sound like you are affraid and tense when you are out with him because you are so affraid of what is going to happen instead of asserting yourself and thinking positively that you are in control of the dog.
The dog recognizes the fear and turns that energy into aggresion.

I too would try the umbilical for a couple of weeks around the house. I would try for an hour a day.
He needs to respect and trust you and you have to be confident.

Also, the time of the correction is the most important thing.
When walking if you trying and correct the lunging with such a large dog... or any dog it's really difficult.
But for example, if you know that before the lunch there is a pull, and before the pull there is a turn of the head, correct the turn of the head.
Keep his attention on you and him focused on the walk.

It will take time, but you steping up to be the Pack Leader/Alpha and be confident and not worried about all the things that may happen will definately happen

You can do it!
Keep us posted!

Rebecca

You should look for the episode that is called something like "Georgia Down" or "Sweet Georgia Down". It is all about a pretty aggressive great dane. Maybe it will help.

I think the focus of that episode was pinning, soft pins, and socialization (as I recall). I did not see the umbilical in play ... maybe it was used but not on camera.

My Tivo caught it last night but it is probably repeated some time this week.

D

JUst an update on luka and being aggressive, I have returned to the dog park, the first day right away he went for a dog, I kept him on leash and pinned him down and would not let him up until he relaxed, I stood by him while he was laying on the grass and praised him for staying. after a bit we walked with someone who's dog and luka get along with very well, i let him off leash but when I saw a new dog come around I would leash him and again make him lay down and let the other dog come around, I praised him when he just stayed.and relaxed. we walked again off leash and a group of dogs came in and ran right up to him he was out of my reach I just shouted NO DOG!!!! and he looked at me, and relaxed and came back and again I just made him lay down. one dog did bother him and he did growl so I just pinned him gently and he did not struggle. all that on the first day.

The next day we met up with a bigger great dane he plays really well with and was terrific the whole walk if he took his gazing statue pose when another dog approched I said no dog and again leashed him and made him stay by my side till he relaxed and his tail wagged then let him go and was sooo goood. One dog even growled at him and he turned away and looked at me.. and I called him and he came to me no problem.

Again today he was off leash the whole walk on dog ran up to him barking and growling and lunging baring teeth, luka took his statue pose and the hair went up on his back I called him to me and took a couple of calls but he came and i made him sit tilll he relaxed. we were with his distraction the other dane. who came to me tooo. I am finding I am relaxing more as well but still causious, I will contiue to go to the park when it is not so busy, and keep him close to me. and practice recall even when he is enjoying playing, just to remind him he needs to be with me.

Please keep giving me idieas to keep this big boy under control. I don't want an agressive great dane. I always want to enjoy our time out together. so all suggetions are appreciated.

sandy

Sandy ... sounds like things are going great!!!!! So good to hear! I've had my brother also pinning ours and they get along and strut is respecting him again too. It definetly seems to work.

where abouts are you?