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Sammy is a Chihuahua, Jack Russell, Poodle mix. We got him at 4 months and he is now almost a year and a half. We had a lots of issues when we first got Sammy. He definitely has territorial issues and we have had to overcome growling with food and growling with what he think is his own space (his crate, his bed, etc). We have been working hard though and these issues have past, but we can't seem to shake the leash aggression.

We live steps away from High Park in Toronto and we constantly take Sammy to the leash free area. He is great off leash, but as soon as you put him on a leash it's a different story. When another dog is approaching you can hear his breathing increase and he will take on the lowered stalking body position. I find the more I try to "tug" the leash to shake him out of it, the more it edges him on. I've tried to just let the leash remain slack and what happens is that he runs ahead face-on to the other dog. At this point he is usually barking and he either quiets down and smells the dog and is fine or smells the dog and then shows his teeth and lunges and snaps and starts barking like crazy at the other dog. This is what makes it hard, I never know if it's going to be a nice greeting or an aggressive greeting.

I'm trying now the sit, down, stay commands when I see a dog approaching. He still gets very excited and I have to catch it well in advance for this to work. If I let the dog get to close before I enforce this Sammy is way too excited to listen to me. I'm not sure if this is the best approach and it is a little difficult to do this when you are on a busy street with lot of dogs walking by and waiting outside of stores and such. Does anyone else have other suggestions? And does anyone know a good trainer in the Toronto Area that could help us with this.

Thanks

Bayley has issues with dogs on leash as well. Same kind of behaviour with the major difference being that she weighs 65 lbs!! I've noticed quite a difference in this behaviour since we've been going to the dog park more and getting out more where I know she's going to encounter other dogs. Also making her sit and be quiet when there's another dog nearby is helping. The last few times that we've been for a walk at the park in the regular on leash part, I've noticed quite a difference with her behaviour with other on leash dogs. She still gets excited and wants to go see them..now her only thing is once they do the meet and greet she wants to play. She tends to be pretty noisy, growly when she's playing so that kind of freaks out the other owner. They tend to miss the 'play bow' and just focus on the noise she's making.

It seems like you're going about it the right way, he's still young and basically still a pup. Bayley's 2.5 and she's just starting to clue in. Mind you she's a country dog so she doesn't have the opportunity to get alot of exposure to other dogs.

I've been dealing with leash aggression for over 2 years. This year has been a turnaround. Sushi isn't perfect, but it's a big improvement for us.

Sushi HAS to heel, no ifs ands or buts. The only time he is allowed to move ahead, etc..is if I give the command "Go ahead". And, even then, it's a short period of time, it's usually just so he can go to the bathroom.

When I see a dog approaching, I remain very calm, but also confident. Sushi HAS to heel. I don't look at the other dog and we walk right by it. If the other dog is acting goofy and the owner has no control, I will walk Sushi past them but I will go around them a bit, as dogs like that are triggers for Sushi.

I had tried the sit, stay and watch me and sometimes it would work. But, moving forward with Sushi seems to do the trick better. I only allow him to greet other dogs that are well behaved. That way, he makes a new friend and it's a positive experience.

If I'm having an off day and feel myself hesitate in the slightest when I see another dog approaching, I walk with Sushi around the other dog. Sushi will pick up on my vibes without a doubt.

Bonnie

Bonnie,

that was a great response.

My extra penny of thought ... Use a quick movement with your foot - slight tap - to distract his attention (Cesar does this trick). You're NOT kicking the dog, you're stopping his train of thought and directing it somewhere else. The touch is done with the leg that is NOT beside him and you bring your foot up from the back and "tap" his side ... not too soft (like a mosquito bite! but hard enough for him to get the hint that he has to stop).

I hope I'm making sense and don't come across like I'm promoting hurting your dog, b/c that's not what I am trying to say, it's early, and maybe I'm not very coherent right now!

I'm sure someone else on here knows what I am trying to say, and if they can be more eloquent in their description, I offer their services!

Good luck,

Marion

pattymac wrote:

QUOTE:
Bayley has issues with dogs on leash as well. Same kind of behaviour with the major difference being that she weighs 65 lbs!! I've noticed quite a difference in this behaviour since we've been going to the dog park more and getting out more where I know she's going to encounter other dogs. Also making her sit and be quiet when there's another dog nearby is helping. The last few times that we've been for a walk at the park in the regular on leash part, I've noticed quite a difference with her behaviour with other on leash dogs. She still gets excited and wants to go see them..now her only thing is once they do the meet and greet she wants to play. She tends to be pretty noisy, growly when she's playing so that kind of freaks out the other owner. They tend to miss the 'play bow' and just focus on the noise she's making.

Same here! Since we've been going to the dog park, Abby thinks she can play with any dog. Other people don't understand she wants to play. Her bark is intimidating! I can bring her on leash towards a dog and she's great! Oye... somthing else to work on!

Some dogs do play more rough and are more vocal than others. You should hear the Shibas when we have 20 of them at the park for a Meetup!!! They have a really screechy type of bark. Other owners don't get it, and I don't blame them, they sound ridiculous, lol. I am always quick to tell the owner that it's Sushi's way of wanting to play and then they usually relax.

Bonnie

We have had the exact same problem for the past year with our dog. We\'ve just stayed on top of our leadership (we combine Cesar and Brad methodologies, depending upon the moment) and it\'s hard work, but she doesn\'t get away with anything! Nothing is for free in our house. If she wants out, she has to sit. If she wants supper, she has to sit... etc. At the dog park, she\'s AWESOME! No leash, right? With a leash on, she used to look like a raving idiot! The martingale collar made a HUGE difference! We have so much more control. When she starts winding up, the leash goes up, the collar tightens, and when she relaxes, we loosen the leash as well. We also use a combination of the toe tap, switching directions, voice reminders (hey! Shht!) depending upon each situation. We\'ve gotten to know her so well, that we can judge what level of excitement she\'s at, and correct accordingly. The biggest thing for us was to learn to correct CALMLY! Firmly, but not yelling and yanking.


It\'s been a PILE of work, and it never ends. We still spend our days teaching her to be calm. (No chasing the bugs all over the yard endlessly, no barking at the neighbours dog over and over, no running mindlessly all over the yard) We exercise her alot so that she\'s happy and fulfilled. We\'re also trying to work on her training, and raise two kids! (and deal with an aging second dog)

Now having said all of that, I have to report that we have come so far with her that we were able to take her to our Canada Day celebrations this year! Woo hoo! It\'s outside in one of our city parks with tons of people, other dogs and commotion and she ROCKED! She was so chilled and laid back! Kids were coming up and petting her all the time (people have never been a problem for her), we passed tons of other dogs (some she got to visit, others she had to live with just walking by). We even had one person stop and visit with her and comment on how sweet she was and what a nice temperament she has! I could have burst with pride!

This morning, I had to pass two dogs on leashes coming at us head on (and yes, of course THEIR dogs were leading and pulling) and I didn\'t have a problem. She got a little excited (which she got corrected for), but it was a happy sound, not an \"I want to eat you\" sound.

I don\'t know if this helps, but I just wanted to let you know that what you describe is EXACTLY what we\'ve been through! And we\'re finally reaching the point where we can take our dog anywhere with us without a bunch of stress!

Brad\'s book and TV show helped tremendously as does Cesar Millan\'s DVD\'s (or show if you get the National Geographic Channel)

Let me know if I can offer any more advice! Hope this helps!

Yippee, great to see you're having so much success, the only thing is that you say you make him sit for his supper, I believe this is a form of treat training.

Sushi has to sit for his supper, has since day 1. It shows him that I am the Alpha. I provide the food, he can't just find it on his own (free feeding, for example). Now, for some dogs, free feeding is fine, but usually it's best to be seen as the provider. Plus, it's just good manners for the dog to sit nice & patiently. Just like kids at the table!

Bonnie

Exactly as Bonnie said, she doesn't actually get the food as a reward. She has to sit and be patient, and even once the bowl is down, they can't eat until I say so. Just like the Alpha would do. Otherwise, if they're choosing when to eat, they've inched into your leadership role.

Thanks for checking though!