So we recently got a 3 year old Great Dane rescue from DaneLine. He has been brilliant up until now where he has suddenly developed the habit of bowling other dogs over and pinning them by the throat. We are a little concerned to say the least and it is very embarrassing to take him for walks where there are other dogs.

His previous owner had said that he was a little nervous of other dogs on the lead, but he has got progressively worse. We used to be able to have him off the lead and he would simply run up to other dogs (which would frighten them admittedly as he is so large, but he would never attack them). But after one incident where he knocked over a child by running past him we were advised to keep him on the lead until his recall improved a bit (which it has).

But now he tackles almost every dog he sees. I must stress he has NEVER drawn blood or actually damaged the dog in any way, he has just pinned it and put his jaws around its throat. I really need some advice in how to train him not to do this.

He has been castrated, is male, 3 years, Great Dane, very friendly disposition to people and dogs he has been around for a while.

Thanks

First of all, I wouldn't let him off the lead if his recall is not perfect. I am not a fan of people who have dogs and know fine well that, when let off the lead, they will a) tend to bound up to people and b) that they can't consistently call them back. It's unfair- especially with a Great Dane. So for now, keep him on a lead.

In respect of the behaviour, it does not sound like aggression; if he wanted to be aggressive and attack, he would have already considering the position he's had some of the dogs in. He may be a bit over-zealous and not that tactful in meeting other dogs, and thinks that what he's doing is just play and good manners.

Try doing some watch and focus exercises with him. Maybe get a clicker and, everytime he looks at another dog, click & treat for any calm behaviour, until he's expecting a click & treat whenever there's a dog around and, thus, will focus on you.

Like all behaviours, it's difficult and unresponsible to diagnose them over the internet, so I'd recommend a good, positive trainer to help you.

I would contact the rescue he came from, explain the problem and see if they can offer some help/support I agree with the other poster though a Dane is a BIG dog to not have full control over so onlead for the time being

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Thanks both of you

I haven't let him off the lead at all since he started doing this and he is on a head harness so I have a bit more control. I am looking for some local trainers/classes like you suggested. I'm working on his recall too, I know he does frighten a lot of people by running towards them.

I'll try that clicker idea, it might help with his focussing.

Thanks again

For focus the "watch" command is very good. Grab something tasty like hotdog sausage or cheese make him sit and let him sniff it the hold it in front of your face, when he can't take his eyes off it tell him "watch" and move the treat from side to side. Don't let him have the treat until he is sitting patiently watching it, gradually increase the amount of time he has to "watch" before you give him the treat

Eventually you can move this outside and increase the distractions. The idea is that eventually if you see a dog coming you can get him to ignore it by using the "watch"

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"I am not perfect and i don't have to be, before you start pointing fingers, make sure your hands are clean" - Bob Marley

https://sites.google.com/site/blisschalet/

I think you need to contact Lissi asap for advice she has excellent knowledge of the breed and they will do everything in their power to help you and him settle in as the last thing they want is an unsuccessful rehoming.

You have to remember he is past the 'honeymoon' period now and his true character is becoming more apparent sometimes that just can't be assessed in a foster home as its not shown, aggression like that needs to be nipped in the bud before it gets any worse. Unfortunately some dogs don't do danes and you cannot in no uncertain terms let a dane run upto any others in the park the consequences are unthinkable.

Good luck but ring Lissi at daneline you'll get better answers from her.

i had a bit of trouble with 2 of mine today. one of mine just attacked my lurcher dog for what seemed no reason at all is there anything that anyone of you can say as to why this happend? i was layed on the couch and the dogs were layed next to me and then it just happend ????

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There are numerous reasons why this could have happened so it really is impossible to advise over the net without having seen wht happened. Was it a full on "attack" causing injury of was it a serious telling off ??

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"I am not perfect and i don't have to be, before you start pointing fingers, make sure your hands are clean" - Bob Marley

https://sites.google.com/site/blisschalet/

I would contact the rescue centre initially as they may be able to offer help with this.

I have a similar problem with my new dog. She is a GSD & becomes completely over the top excited when she other dogs. She doesn't know how to manage her excitement which then turns to aggression although she is fine with my other dog & usually fine when she is off the lead with other dogs but I can't take the risk.

No amount of treats will make her look at me when she gets herself in to this state so I am getting help from the rescue centre before we start with training clases.

Before we completely hi-jack the OP's post, I want to say that when dealing with dogs who get too distracted and aroused around other dogs- whether it be aggression, excitment etc.- you need to start doing exercises from a distance that you can get the dog's attention from. There's no point being 5 metres from another dog with your dog going loopy and trying to call him to watch you! So as sooon as you see your dog look at another dog, use a watch command or a clicker with a treat reward. Build this up and gradually move closer. If it doesn't work anymore, move back an start again. This is a gradual process.

Also, this is not completely right:

"For focus the "watch" command is very good. Grab something tasty like hotdog sausage or cheese make him sit and let him sniff it the hold it in front of your face, when he can't take his eyes off it tell him "watch" and move the treat from side to side. Don't let him have the treat until he is sitting patiently watching it, gradually increase the amount of time he has to "watch" before you give him the treat"

You need to wait until the dog watches you before they get the treat, or else the dog will just focus on a treat and not you, which is no good. Then you can phase out the treats and just use the 'watch me' command.