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lennap


All Grown Up

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Sudden aggression?!
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Hi everyone, I'm hoping I can get some more input on a new issue that has cropped up with Voodoo.  First a little background.

You may recall I took Voodoo in (march 07) when my friend who had adopted her from a rescue group (dec 05) became ill and was hospitalized for extended periods of time.  The original intent was to return her when he recovered, unfortunately that did not happen and in dec 07 I inherited Voodoo.

When I first took her in Voodoo was exceptionally shy of all people (she had been severely abused before being rescued - but loved all dogs.  She especially loves big dogs with whom she can rough house.  Smaller dogs are not especially interesting to her.

We went to basic obedience (which she had never had before) and worked our way up to full off leash training.  She did very well in training, and over time has become a much more secure happy dog.  She will now go straight up to most new people to sniff and lick their hands, etc.

The problem I am now facing is that she suddenly becomes aggressive with other dogs.  Out of nowhere she just lunges at them.  The other night my b/f was leaning down loving on Voodoo, and our friend's German Sheperd (who Voodoo had spent several hours with at that point) stuck his nose between my b/f's legs.  Voodoo lunged for the german shepperd through my b/f's legs!

This happened a few weeks ago with a boxer we brought Voodoo to meet.  At first they were fine, playing in the yard, then suddenly Voodoo got him on his back and was very aggresive with him.

I called her trainer who is stumped as they have never seen this behaviour from her - Voodoo stays there (with their 6 dogs) whenever my b/f and I travel together.  The trainer did suggest that perhaps the boxer did something that Voodoo didn't like, and when we got home we did find a scratch on her - however the german sheppard did not do a thing to her!

I sense this is because she has become more comfortable in her own skin, but I need to figure out how to make sure she knows this is completely unacceptable.  I also sense that the incident with the german sheppard was Voodoo telling him that my b/f was hers (again very not good behaviour!).

Any ideas?  Oh btw she is now approximately 7.5 years old.

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PawPrint


Smitten by Boxers

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The best way to show it is unacceptable behavior is to get on her immediately. Do what a dog would do. Discipline her. I would make sure she has a sturdy buckle collar on whenever you are with her another another dog. If she attacks again, but the bigger dog. Dominate her quick and let her know you will not tolerate the behavior.

Hopefully your trainer has already suggested something similar.

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lennap


All Grown Up

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Thanks for the response.  My trainer was stumped and just told me to pull her away.  Last time it happened I grabbed her, flipped her on her back and held her there until she relaxed/submitted.

I'm hoping that's what you meant

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Tanker2


House Broken

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Hi, just read this posting.  My 3 year old, Tank, had/has similar issues.  He has never been mistreated and grew up with my 14 year old female. 

When he was about 6mos to a year he suddenly started jumping her for no reason.  If he lost his  ball, if she happen to walk into the same room at the wrong time, when children are around, any time he got frustrated or jealous. 

As a result of breaking up fights, my hand slipping off his collar and into his mouth, I've had to have stitches. It was not intention to bite me.  Just keep that in mind when your girl acts out!
He wore a harness for a long time, except at bed time, then he went into his crate!  It's easier to grab a harness than a collar! 

After trying other things, my vet suggested that I put rocks in a cans, (all  over the house) shake one over his head and tell him  to sit.  I have also included in his language skills, "OFF",LEAVE IT, AN'T, AN'T (SOUND), NO, DOWN,   He responds best to the first 3.   If I have to, I grab his harness, which I always use when we go out or if someone is coming over.

His behavior has improved a great deal and we have had only one attempt to jump Buttons in the last several months. I no longer have to use the rocks.

It sound like your girl, after what she went through,wants to make sure no other dog take her place. 

Mine on the other hand, is a young male and full of himself!biggrin

-- Edited by Tanker2 at 09:59, 2008-07-14

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Tanker2
BoxersnMinis


Congratulations!

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I, too, would definitely keep a strong collar on Voodoo when she is around any other dog.
Quick response showing your disapproval with her reaction may be the best way to go right now. Wishing you luck with resolving this problem.

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 Beverly
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U-CH/CH Naughty DeNevi at Red Rocks RN, CGC
 (Denee)
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lennap


All Grown Up

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Thanks for your responses guys - she has always had a strong collar (pretty pink leather one with white hearts on it:)).  More recently I've been putting her 1 foot training lead on whenever I know we'll be around other dogs, ideally something to easily grab.

Gosh I hate this!

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