My dog has been aggressive to others since he was 12m and is now 3. At first I kept him away from other dogs or he was muzzled, that didn't work. Then about a year ago I got in a dog trainer which improved the issues he had around the house but not the dog aggression ( mainly I think cos I didn't like what she wanted me to do so no progress was made). Since joining here I have been very slowly getting my confidence back walking him and taking sole responsibilty as my family all have different ideas on how a dog should be treated. In December I got a puppy and they get on great. I have got to the point where I have been taking him out now when other dogs are around, he is much more relaxed. His comfort zone is around 5 feet, depending on the dog.

My problem is I don't know whether to take it further or how. He is now being walked on a harness and long line, I take treats to distract him. Other dogs keep running up and getting in his comfort zone- I think they smell the treats and want to get in on the training games! Yesterday we had 2 encounters with dogs who were friendly and he circled and sniffed but I don't know how to get him away without reacting. One of them completely ignored his growl warning and kept asking to play- he actually relaxed and tryed to play back but it only takes a split second for this to change, so I want to get him away but although he does turn his attention back to me he gets in a few growls and snaps first.

Is anyone else working on this or have opinions to share?

It's a difficult one isn't it. Gaffa is my first dog, and was a rescue dog, so his background was unknown. He definately has a dislike for black dogs, which is quite common as I understand it.
Having said that, if we are with friends and their dogs, no matter what breed or colour, he is fine.
They do remember though - the only time Gaf had a real disagreement with another dog was a neighbours male Wiemarramer, and it was over a stick. Purely testosterone fuelled, and to this day he is better with bitches.
Just take it a step at a time, and you will get a feel for how he will react. The biggest mistake I have made is being too defensive, because they definately pick up on how you react, and that could make it worse.

kevc thanks for your reply---Gaffa is lovely btw. Mine doesn't discriminate who he is aggressive to any sex any breed any age! You are definitely right about him reacting to me-I try to get his attention in a happy voice with a treat but is difficult knowing he could turn in a split second. I am not bothered about getting to letting him off lead to play-  just want him to ignore other dogs in the street and not get defensive if another dog approaches to say hello when he's out on the long line in a field.

when i took dixie on she was very dog aggressive, but keeping her socialised while she was calm and rewarding her has made her come on leaps and bounds.  she does still have issues with black dogs, but we are working on that.

it's hard work, but so rewarding when you see improvement.

x

Thanks nikki it has been really rewarding to see how far he has come - just don't know if I can go any further!

You're right about your dog picking up any tension from you - but it's really hard not to feel tense in that situation!!  One thing I'd like to say though - it is normal behaviour for dogs to tell other dogs when they've had enough - this is usually a quick growl, or little snap at the other dog - this is not aggression, just normal dog behaviour.  If this is all your dog is doing now when other dogs are too close to him, then he's doing fantastically well (and so are you!) and is just saying "back off I've had enough now" to the other dog(s).  Obviously this can escalate and become aggression if the other dogs continue to annoy your dog, which you don't want, but all dogs will have a point where they've had enough and will "tell" the other dog to back off... the only way they can do this is with a growl, bark or bite (not a full blown tear skin rip up and kill bite, just a snap!!)  If other dogs ignore this warning, and their owners don't control their dogs then it is not your fault or your dogs fault if this warning escalates further.  Have you tried just continuing walking when this situation occurs?  Call him and carry on and see what happens?  Just keep moving and your dog should follow, if not a gentle tug on the lead to remind him that he should be following you...

You mention a comfort zone of around 5 feet - is this when the dog shows signs of tension, or when you start to feel nervous about the other dog?  I know this may sound odd, but if you start to feel nervous, your dog will pick up on this and will then feel that you are nervous of the other dog and that he needs to protect you from it, therefore creating the situation you are trying to avoid.  If you can stay completely calm and relaxed and just picture your dog not reacting at all, you may be surprised by the result.  However, this is a lot easier said than done (I still haven't managed it!!  I know the theory but... !!) 

Good luck anyway and congratulations!!  (I'm working on aggression with my girl too)

Good job :)

Thank you for your kind replies with sound advice! It sounds like
things are going in the right direction- I just need to practice a
"voice of doom" and stay calm at the same time.

Mattie, the
trainer had mostly great advice of the sort I get on this site but when
it came to the dog aggression ( the reason I'd called her out)  she
didn't seem to really have a "feel" for it just a textbook answer
IYKWIM? If I got in  situation where another dog was too close and he
was reacting/fixating and not listening to me she wanted me to rattle a
tin or throw a water bomb on the ground to interrupt his reaction and
get his attention back on me. She also did not belive in treats at all.
I gave up the "aversions" I think you call them as I didn't like my
dogs reaction and pure logic told me water bombs wouldn't work-they
don't splash on grass, duh! And can you imagine the vets surgery
letting me throw water about their waiting room! I think I finally lost
faith when we didn't meet dogs to practice with on walks and she did
not suggest taking her own dog out her car or any other situations I
could get him relaxed around other dogs.

Franimal; firstly I certainly know what you are going through and all
the best with your girl. I am a bit confused about the comfort zone
thing as he seems to have let dogs 3x now come right up without
reacting, previously they would have to be the other side of a single
lane road, and unreactive themselves.On the other hand I had him
freakiing out lunging and standing up on his hind legs cos we passed my
neighbour in the street- a friendly guy but his GSD is my dogs worst
enemy- it worries me cos the neighbour did not have his dog at the
time.

It is when I try to get him away, tugging the lead, calling etc that he often "turns", perhaps he sees this as me being scared of the other dog?

Thanks again folks