is agressiveness towards other dogs a dna trait?

Question

lol that may be an over statement, anyways i own one of those bully style pitbulls, you know the short and stocky ones, hes fawn and white and is 10 months old.....i barely started walking him ALOT within this last month, but the problem i really have is that i cant take him no where because each dog he sees he wants to eat it alive, i mean he will bark, cry, pull me towards the dog (wich he fails at) like he just wants to start rumbling with the other dog.....this is why i hate taking him for walks cause he dont know how to act around other dogs


ps i am 100% AGAINST dog fighting so I WOULD NEVER TRAIN MY DOG TO ATTACK

Answer 1

That really sucks, no offense, I have two bully breeds and I'm glad they don't do that. I guess just start walking him on hiking trails or some time later on at night so there are less people walking there dogs around.

Answer 2

Obedience classes would be the best thing. However, most likely you have not socialized your dog with other animals and that's why your getting that response.

I was taught a long time ago to use a prong collar while walking the dog and not to allow them to get in the "red zone" meaning not to let them lock into the animal weather it be a bird, squirrel or other dog. When your walking and there is another dog a round make your dog sit and don't allow them to lock in. Make sure they keep his attention on you!! After a brief period of no barking etc. Tell him good and continue your walk. He will object to the collar cause it pinches him but it doesn't do the damage like a choker, especially if he is tugging against you.

Answer 3

Bully breeds are known for dog agression. You need to establish yourself as the pack leader and let him know that his actions are completely unacceptable. You need to train 'heel' and 'leave it'. Train, train, train! I'm at the point now that when my dogs fixate on something, I say 'leave it' (in a normal voice), and they immediately look the other way. It's made life SO much easier!

I would recommend against group obedience classes for any of the bully breeds. You are just asking for a fight to break out. Instead, invest in a good quality trainer that does visits in your home. Mine cost $600 and has lifetime follow up. It was worth every penny.

When you walk him, make sure you have a high quality leather latigo lead (the kind that has twists at the clip and handle). I would also recommend a prong collar. They look scary, but really are safer than traditional choke/chain collars that can crush the larynx. Prong collars correct with evenly distributed pressure. Try them both on your own wrist and you'll see the difference.

Although you can somewhat train his reaction out of him, you must be hyper vigilant of his interaction with other dogs. NEVER allow anyone to walk their dog up to yours to say 'hello' and NEVER walk him without a leash.

You sound like a responsible bully owner, which is great, and I'm sure you know this but no matter what the circumstance, if your dog does attack, he will be blamed and put to sleep.

I have neighbors that have this little chihuahua that they let run without a leash in our shared backyard. They thought it was funny when the dog ran up to my two APBTs and started barking and growling at them. It wouldn't have been so funny if I hadn't immediately grabbed my dogs and went inside. Luckily, my dogs show fairly low dog agression, but it could have been a very gnarly situation.

Also keep in mind that pit bulls do NOT have locking jaws, it's by sheer determination that it appears that way. Pit bulls will NOT stop fighting once they stop, this commitment to finishing a job has been bred into them for centuries. (It is also why they are so loyal to their families!) You may want to invest in a break stick in case you need it.

Please check out the links I put in my sources. There is a wealth of information out there for you.

Answer 4

If you haven't gotten him neutered, do it ASAP!!! It will make you both happier, although it may not relieve his aggression. You may need to "take a step back" and evaluate his behavior around other dogs. Is it truly agressive, or is he just trying to get to the other dog? Is his tail straight up with short, sharp wags, his ears erect and held forward, is the hair on his back and neck standing up? Is his barking done through bared teeth? Or is he being a puppy and barking at every dog and pulling towards them because he wants to be around other dogs but just doesn't know how to act?
You will need to get professional help from a trainer who is experienced in working with agressive breeds either way. A trainer who knows how to work with traditionally agressive breeds will show you what to look for if your dog becomes agressive and how to redirect your dog.

Answer 5

There are dog breeds that are dog aggressive, pitbulls being one of the, along with Akitas and other guard dogs. Your problem is you havent properly socialized him. At a young age puppies should be enrolled in puppy classes or taken on walks to the park so they can get used to the presence of other dogs. Since he missed out on this crucial part of development you have a big problem on your hand. You will really need to work with him, best bet is to take him to a dog trainer ASAP. Its a little hard to explain and demonstrate how to correct this behavior over the internet so I suggest gettting a trainer.

Answer 6

I don't know if aggressive behavior can be traced to an animal's DNA, but a breeder who pairs two dogs with bad temperaments (and/or a lineage of bad temperaments) is likely to yield a litter of mean spirited, badass puppies. Bad temperaments are genetic.
Folks who say it's the owner and not the dog aren't telling the whole story. Some dogs were bred to be bad. They will be mean spirited no matter who owns them and raises them.

Your dog might be a product of bad breeding. You need to know more about the dog's parents and ancestries to get a good idea.

Answer 7

Certain breeds are more inclined to be aggressive to other dogs and pits, because they were bred to fight other dogs are more inclined. But other factors are involved too. Has your dog been neutered? That can help a lot. Also, if your dog was well-socialized with other dogs as a puppy (such as in puppy class and obedience training) dog aggression can be headed off.

Work with a professional trainer to see if you can reduce your dog's aggression level. Ask your vet or local humane society for recommendations. He may never be 100% reliable around other dogs but you may be able to get him to a point where you can keep him under control.

Answer 8

Not always, but in many cases yes it is a DNA trait.
Improper socialization can also cause a dog to be "dog aggressive".
Guarding breeds like the Great Pyrenees were bred to protect a flock from Wolves, so yes it's in their DNA. What was your breed developed to do?? The answer to that question will answer yours.

Answer 9

I am so sick of people saying that certain breeds are more apt to be agressive thatn others. It is a STEREOTYPE people!!! Show me the evidence on breed is more agressive than others! Anyways, have you ever socialized your puppy with other dogs/people before now? It could be because he is protecting you. He doesn't know how to deal with other dogs, but he knows that he wants to keep you safe. He is not being mean, he is being a dog trying to protect his pack member from another. Hate to tell you this, but he is a loner dog. He prefers the company and attention from you, not other dogs.

Answer 10

Dog are pack animals, which means they only accept the pack which is their humans and perhaps other dogs in the home. In that pack there is always an alpha male and female, usually the humans, but then the dogs in the house have a "peck order" of a chain of command.

If when walking you dog attacks other dogs, it is because the dog is protecting the alpha leader! Best you not go to a dog park and walk the dog in areas where there are no other dogs.