why is my 4 year old golden retriver cross lab aggressive to other dogs?

Answer 1

He could be trying to be an "alpha." Get him neutered if he isnt? It will cause him from being less aggressive.

Answer 2

Aggression is conditioned not instinctual so the behavior you are describing is probably either territorial or defensive biting, both which are a result of lack of socialization. You can gradually work your dog into socialization by introducing him to other dogs on leash and at a distance. If he growles correct him with a leash correction or put him into a submissive position by grabbing him by the scruff and pinning him to the ground. Once he is comfortable at a distance work closer to the other dog and eventually to off-leash but never progress past the dogs point of comfort and don't progress until you see some signs of play such as perked ears and wagging tail.

Answer 3

He just hasn't been socialized enough and taught better manners. It can be done and he can be taught. The best way is for you to take the alpha roll. He is trying to be pack leader. Take him on power walks.

He is just confused at who is NOW the pack leader. You need to make him know that YOU are now the pack leader. I'll give you a few tricks.

1) walking on a leash is IMPORTANT. Put him on a leash, and put him in a sit position. The walk starts when he is calm and you decide to start. Go out the door/gate ahead of him and keep him to your side or behind you. If he is out front, then he is the pack leader. IMMEDIATELY when he tries to get ahead or start for another dog, STOP him by pulling UP on the leash, not back. If he continues to try to lead, reverse your direction so that you are now in the lead. If he approaches another dog, put him in a sit position and make him stay there. Keep using the sit position to control, or refersing directions. He should learn pretty quickly that you will tolerate no misbehavior.Don't stop or give up because that will empower him more.

2) DO NOT pet or reward him with attention when he is bad. Push him down, stand up, ignore, leave the room.....whatever, but ABSOLUTELY NO, attention to bad behavior. Petting is for good hehavior.

If you pass another dog while on the walk, immediately put him in a sit position and try to keep him sitting or down. Move on when the dog passes. If you pass a fenced dog, put your dogs back to the fence and sit him down. He should calm and so should the yard dog. When he is calm return to the walk

3) In extreme cases, because of bad behavior, push him to the floor on his side, put you hand in a claw position at his neck (feels like a dog bite) and hold him down until he calms. When he can lay on the floor (without your hand on him) in a calm position he will have submitted to your authority. you will be recognized as the pack leader. Be sure you have help around if he is violent so you don't get dog bit. But this is what another dog will do to him to show who is the boss. And you have to be the boss.

good luck
see trainer:http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/

Answer 4

Not enough info to say. He could be scared (in which case all the advice about trying to be alpha can lead to owners punishing their dogs or being threatening to them which just makes it worse for them!).

Ultimately it doesn't really matter because you handle a scared dog and an aggressive dog the same way. You need to learn about triggers, thresholds, counter conditioning and desensitization. Check out the books

Feisty Fido
Click To Calm
The Cautious Canine

available at

www.fearfuldogs.com/books.html

Your dog should not be allowed to practice this behavior so you need to prevent it from happening or stop it when it does, but do not punish your dog for it's behavior, you need to change the behavior and change how your dog feels about other dogs. You want your dog to feel good about having other dogs around, not just too scared to attack cause you've punished him for it.

Answer 5

Have the dogs meet on neutral ground, like a park. Lots of dogs are aggressive because they're on their home turf and want to defend it from intruders. That's the cause of some "brawls" walking your pup with other dogs around the block(my fav activity) will help. They might ignore each other, but it's better than fighting!

Answer 6

Strange, I've had 2 goldies, a lab and a lab mix, never had that problem....is it a new behavior? If not, he just needs to be socialized with other dogs more, under careful supervision, mind you. Is there some stress in your home that is causing him to be more protective? Also, if dogs are tied up all day on a chain, they definitely show that behavior.

Answer 7

I actually have a Golden domestic dog (8 months previous). this is, by making use of far, the main loving domestic dog ever. He loves greeting different individuals, loves twiddling with different canines and is in basic terms a exhilaration to be around. even while he makes a mistake (like chews on something he shouldn't), i won't be able to get mad - he's purely too amazing. this would not advise i do no longer superb him, yet all anger is washed away. His cuteness has helped no longer in basic terms him, yet his "brother in crime" (yet another canine that I even have). Goldens are very unswerving, yet very friendly. they do no longer take too kindly to being picked on by making use of different canines (mine has run to me for defense - which I furnish - while at a canine park), yet do love being performed with in the event that they sense on top of issues. That pronounced, Labs are additionally spectacular canines and are very equivalent to Goldens. whilst I desire the Golden, you will no longer go incorrect with a Lab. I do think of Labs are somewhat extra extreme strung regardless of the undeniable fact that and not as accepting (from my journey) as a Golden. this could be an outstanding ingredient as they have an inclination to be somewhat extra concentrated on you. My concern is extra on your contemporary canines accepting a sparkling canine. in case you will a glance after or adopting from a breeder, i'd carry your canines to this new canine and confirm that all and sundry get alongside till now taking abode the Golden or Lab.

Answer 8

If he is not neutered..that is why. If he is, he was most likely not socialized properly as a pup. I highly recommend seeking a qualified trainer, as a dog this big could easily kill a smaller dog.

Answer 9

It's hard to say, without more info on the behavior. It could be lack of proper socialization, fear, or territorial behavior. I would seek some training to help manage the agression.

Answer 10

The reason is possibly, it's trying to be dominant, it had no litter mates when it was younger so isn't well socialized or has another dog ever harmed it?