what's the best way to make an agressive dog stop fighting?

Question

I just got an 11 month old border collie/german shepherd mix. We took him to the dog park for the first time, and he got into a couple fights, so we had to keep him on a leash. I don't want to keep him on a leash every time we go, especially because we have another dog who runs free. How can we stop his agressive behavior?

he's already neutered

Answer 1

Border Collies are pushy and Shepherds are prone to being dog aggressive - bad mix of traits. All of that action at the dog park is too much for him. Keep him on a leash until you can trust him - which may be never. Try giving him a thirty minute run next to a bicycle to take the edge off BEFORE you take him to the dog park. A tired dog is a lot less aggressive! Introduce him to one dog at a time - not a whole bunch.

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
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
Training Your Dog: The Step by Step Method - Volhard
Dog Problems - Benjamin
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

The other suggestions on this site are off-base--using any technique such as a shock collar or muzzle will not work if you do not have proper instruction (I would say that these are not good methods anyway--shock collars and muzzles will likely only escalate the excitement and aggressiveness). If you want to have your dog around other dogs, you need to work with a professional trainer to solve the problem. If your dog injures another dog or injures a person who is trying to stop a fight, you are legally responsible. Ask your vet for the name of a good trainer. This should be a solvable problem with the right help.

Answer 3

Sorry but his aggression is probably in breed. Having dogs off leash is never a good idea at a dog park anyways cause to much bad stuff could and does happen. If you really want to have him run free make him wear a muzzle, that way he can't severely hurt the other dog.

Answer 4

Take him on more walks with a leash and socialize him with other dogs and people. If he attempts to attack something, tug on his leash to let him know that you don't want him attacking it. If he bites and continues to do so, put a muzzle on him. If at any point on a walk, where he would usually attack someone or another dog, but doesn't, then give him a treat to show him that he's making progress.

Answer 5

some dogs are just born to be Alpha's. your dog may be one of those. however, at 11 months old, your dog doesn't know the meaning of being aggresive yet. He/she is still considered a puppy, especially with the mixture of those two breeds that are known for being "teenagers" up until 3 years old for some dogs. A lot of people do not like them, but a choke chain is a great training tool when used properly. This doesn't mean choke the dog all day and night, but correct them and restrain them when needed. As for the fighting, most dogs don't fight to injure eachother but instead to see where they stand in rank. Don't assume they are fighting just because it looks like it. They fight when blood is shed. Other than that, they are testing their strenght and labeling their rank. As for the leash, honestly, your dog should be on a leash EVERY time they leave the yard or house. keep it on them when they are at the park. It is easier to grab a leash than a collar on two or more dogs that are actually fighting. Also, it is also mandatory by law that every dog is on a leash while in public, even at a dog park. As for your other dog, well, sorry to say, but one of your dogs is going to rank higher than the other in the "pack". They will decide amoungst themselves whom it is. Don't try to change it because YOU cant do anything about THEIR ranks. If you want to train your dominant dog, they sell specific collars for it called Dominant Dog Collars. they look kinda like show dog collars but have not lock or belt holes. Think of a leather collar that looks like a bungee cord but with a "D" ring on the end of it. This collar is great for dominant dogs and works well for training. Other than that..... TRAINING... TRAINING....TRAINING... is the key. With training comes discipline.

Answer 6

Okay. Do NOT go off-leash like that. He NEEDS to be more socialized!!!

Watch eye-contact. (your dog to another dog). DO NOT get close to another dog- UNTIL you can get him under control.

I had a dog that is very sweet now but he used to bark and bark at other dogs.

What we did was take him to Obedience class. Put a pinch collar on him. Anticipate when he is going to bark. When he starts to bark- give a little quick snap to the leash/pinch collar and say "quiet". Then go walk around so he gets used to what is going on. He will try and make it a game. DO NOT let him make it an aggressive game. When he settles down. Say "good dog and give him a couple of pets". BUT when he does not settle down just walk away from the dogs and he gets nothing. Go back home or something- so that he is away from other dogs. That is more than likely what he is wanting to tell them is that HE is the Alpha. Try and ignore it by walking away and saying "quiet" calmly. Try and make it calm and positive. What he is doing is trying to make HIM the Alpha NOT you! Have you ever heard of the program "Nothing In Life is Free"- VERY effective. Just search under "Nothing In Life Is Free" under ask.com or google. You will get TONS of info!

Hope this helps!

Answer 7

Your not going to like this answer, and neither did I, the first time...But you can try DOGTRA shock collar. Found on the internet. I hated the idea of this device, but after being trained how to use it, I now have three well behave dogs. And I don't have to use it all the time, only if I take my three mutts to new places.....Good luck!!

Answer 8

WALK HIM let him know you are the leader of the pack keep him behind or beside you when you walk and on a short leash make sure you walk out of the house first make him sit and wait for you to tell him to come out also when walking do not let anything distract him from walking every time he sees something yank him and say his name or say walk try that and it should help also if he pulls to much on his leash get the easy walk by gentle leader

Answer 9

Try feeding them in seperate rooms....I have 2 dogs and they are protective of their food. Just keep them seperated......Fighting occurs when their food is close to the other ones

Answer 10

try thr butter on the hand trick so then he will lick it then get into the habit of licking u and evry1 else