My dog (Dobermann) is a lovely family pet, but when I take him out he is agressive to other dogs.?

Question

Any idea's on how to stop this or even make it better as i am now starting to dread taking him out, when it should be a pleasant time for both of us.

Answer 1

Dobermans have terrier in their background, so they're often aggressive towards other dogs.

Make sure he's getting plenty of strenuous exercise every day, at least a thirty minute run. A lot of aggression comes from pent up energy - a tired dog is a peaceful dog! Use a sturdy leash and chain or nylon choke collar. Do NOT use a pinch (prong) collar to correct aggression! Pinch collars will cause aggression problems to worsen and could injure the dog if you need to forcibly restrain him.

Do lots of work on sit-stay and down-stay (on ONE command!) and walking without the dog pulling you. Don't hold your dog back when another dog approaches. That makes him feel tougher - like a guy in a bar who doesn't really want to fight, but with his friends holding him back, he's all mouth. As soon as he starts staring at the other dog and you see those ears prick up - you know what's coming. Correct him with a quick jerk on the leash and turn in the opposite direction. He can't be barking if you're briskly walking away. Then turn back toward the other dog and do it all over and over again until he won't even LOOK at the other dog.

Prearrange a meeting on neutral ground as often as you can with people who have non-dominant dogs. Make your dog lie down and stay. He can't be posturing and aggressive if he's lying down. Just make sure the other person doesn't let their dog hassle yours when he's being good. Have a long conversation with the other owner - long enough for your dog to be completely relaxed. If he starts to get antsy, you can tap him on top of the head or nudge him in the side to distract him. It's best if YOU walk away first - if the other dog leaves first, yours may see it as an opportunity for a sneak attack.

Most obedience classes won't accept your dog if he's menacing the other students. You may need a professional trainer to help you with this, but let me warn you. Many of the people charging big bucks as "trainers" are not very good and may have no more experience than you do - especially with aggression problems. Ask you local vet for a recommendation. Make sure you check out references from their satisfied customers. Check with the BBB for complaints. And DON'T send your dog away to be trained. It's a waste of money - you can't build a relationship with a dog that doesn't live with you.

You should read some great books on training. (Try not to pick books randomly - there are a lot of bad books out there also!) These are some of my favorites and you can get them on Amazon.com
Training Your Dog: The Step by Step Method - Volhard
Dog Problems - Benjamin
What All Good Dogs Should Know – Volhard http://www.volhard.com/
Good Owners, Great Dogs - Brian Kilcommins
Dog Tricks : Eighty-Eight Challenging Activities for Your Dog from World-Class Trainers by Haggerty and Benjamin
Don't Shoot the Dog - Pryor
Cesar's Way - Cesar Millan
Also, watch the Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel. Cesar Millan is the best trainer I've ever seen on TV.
http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/

Answer 2

Too right they are. One of the crucial nice dogs I ever had used to be a Doberman. That was years in the past when I used to be a child but she was once powerful, so loyal. It depends so much on the strains- many were bred far too massive these days, it's a funny story, they had been in no way meant to be like that. Also some strains have been softened greatly. You want a confident canine neither vicious or shy. The two most aggressive dogs i've ever met have been Dobermans however they have been used as look after puppies in a jeweller's store and doubled as loved ones pets. Amazing animals but would not trust them with any individual external that loved ones.

Answer 3

My dog was exactly the same. Lovely in the house, but even if we saw a dog in the distance she would go bonkers. Growling, barking, hackles up the lot. I was told to just stay calm and not shout as that seems as if you are barking with them. I smacked her on the nose and said "naughty" (silly but true). I also carried a tin with some stones in and threw it near her when she was going bonkers. It has finally paid off after a few months doing it. Now when she sees other dogs she still gets alert, but she looks at me to show that she is not doing anything and can even walk by them now off the lead and heals very well.

However, if my sons take her out on their own she does revert back to her old ways. Which is her way of protecting them I think at the end of the day. I also try to have her interact with other dogs as much as possible. I warn people that she is just loud and once the initial minute of madness is over and she sees there is no threat she is a darling. She is also worse on the lead than off, but that goes back to her being attacked on the lead as a puppy. Stay with it, it will work out with training and patience.

Answer 4

Dobermans are a very large assertive breed and often have problems with other dogs. They often will not tolerate another dog of the same sex.
They need to be socialized early and a lot to have them be good with other dogs outsode the home.
If you are having problems I would strongly recommed that you find a behavorial trainer and work one on one with them until you can learn how to control the dog. Soetimes these dogs are just never good with other dogs and are not good canidates for the dog park or off leash play where other dogs are.
It is part of their nature and what they were bred to do.

Answer 5

My fiance and I had this problem with our German shepherd, the best way we dealt with it was to bring small easy treats with us and to make the dog sit anytime another dog came near and stand in between the other dog and to break the eye contact between the dogs. This will prove to be very difficult at first but after your dog knows that you will not allow the aggressive behavior and get treats instead it should improve, it worked for us :)

Answer 6

Get a muzzle so you have control of your dog at all times. It's quite comfortable. You can find them at pet stores. I have a Chow Chow. She's gentle but sometimes shows aggression to people on skateboards or bikes. I just want to play it safe so she wears a muzzle on walks especially where there are kids like the park.

Answer 7

hi my dog is the same how old is he if he is just coming int o maturity 12months then get him castrated it may help or be more assertive to him he is been the dominant one he feels he needs to protect you so if you are more domineering then he may alter his ways like if when you eat dont give him food off your plate feed him last make him sit when you do feed him dont let him on your bed unless you say its ok make him move if he is in your way just things like this will make him see you as pack leader and as this dog is currently thinking he is then i think drastic action needs to be taken try also a halti it will train his head you gently lead him away from looking making eye contact and then if he is not eyeballing the dogs he may be ok good luck

Answer 8

he has not been socialised with other animals as a pup. Dobermans by nature are aggressive towards other dogs, and can be reduced by socialising it at an early age.

Firm handling is required, to let him know ur the topdog when u walk , not him.

Answer 9

get him a big fake toy dog stuff animal and exspriment on him or get a dog his size and leave them together about a week after trying the stuffed bear

Answer 10

Did you know... do you realize that your dog.. when you take him out... is protecting you.. He is looking out after YOUR safety and that is why he is somewhat aggressive.. he is wanting the other person or dog to know to stay away from YOU.. his master