Hi all,
This is my first post so please be gentle with me
I’ve read through past threads on dog aggression but don’t seem able to find my specific problem.
My dog in the past month or so has started showing aggression towards other dogs however it is not all dogs and I can’t seem to nail down which type of dog he is going to be aggressive with, male, female big or small this is something he has never done in the past.
Some history: We have had Bode (our border collie) for just over 3 years now and have had him from a pup he is a well behaved dog at home and when out on walks (apart from this aggression problem) and he does as he is told. We used to have another Dog also a border collie but sadly lost him a few month back. The dog that died was attacked around about 5 years ago and since that date always snarled and growled when approached by a bigger dog.
Do you think Bode’s aggression is down to the fact that having lost the other dog he now filling his boots so to speak? Or could it something else?
Whatever it is I would like to nip it in the bud now before it becomes any worse so your help and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Trevor

From what you have said, I would say it is most likely down to fear aggression and that he previously got confidence from the other dog.

I would suggest seeking the services of a good behaviourist, who if they mention pack theory and dominance, run a mile, and in the mean time, ensure he is under proper control and probably muzzled when you take him out, just in case.

A good book to help you understand dog on dog aggression, an dfear aggression is 'Fight' by jean Donaldson.

Well done for recognising a problem, and dealing with it, and sorry for the loss of your other dog.

Hello Trevor

I am sure I won't be the only one to answer to you, and you will eventually decide what is the best answer for your dog's behaviour, but here is mine. Actually it's my 1rst post as well !
I think you may touch the right problem when you try to link the death of the other dog and Bode's problem. I think as well you should take into account the breed of the dog, which in your case is Border Collie. Border Collies as you may know are the most intelligent dogs in IQ dog tests list. And in my experience, the more intelligent a dog is, the more difficult as well he's going to be handled. Ironically you won't get as much trouble with an average intelligent dog or a not very intelligent one. While intelligent dogs might learn more quickly than others, and can work out more difficult situations like going over a tricky passages such as gates in a field, learning commands, understanding words, being sensitive to your emotions, unfortunately that means they can also think they can be in charge more easily. They are less affraid to become pack leaders, and can do that in many ways, in any new occasions, like the loss of a previous dog in the pack.
Obviously you are the leader of this pack as you say your dog does as being told, but I have suspitions that the dog who died was leader of the 2 dogs. And of course because this dog was reacting aggressively on many occasions due to his bad attack history with another dog in the past, it's as if Bode has learned that being a pack leader equal being aggressive.
Every time owners lose a dog in a situation with several dogs in the pack , the remaining dogs will automatically, 1rst of all grieve, and that can pass through aggression, depression, more asking for affection/attention, being nervous, but 2dly trying to find a new place in the pack. Every dog will experience a disturbance of place in their pack in the loss of another dog. What I think so, is that Bode tries to sometimes be in charge in the pack, and do so aggressively as being "told" by the other dog. What you can do is reassure him that he is good dog when he's not behaving badly, and showing him that there is no reason to fear anything when he's with you. You have to show clearly to this dog that YOU are in charge, because it will reassure of his place in the pack, and a dog knowing where he stands is a happy dog. What I usually do in case of reinforcing dominance on my dog (who is quite a dominant one) is to automatically put her back on the lead if she's behaving badly, like growling another dog for intance, then pushing her gently on the floor, looking somewhere else and forcing her gently without violence but firmly to stay under my foot or my hand just on top of her shoulders, under the neck. That way without a word or a look from me, she understand that I am in charge, she is submissive and stops imediately to try any attack. Quite shortly after that, less than 2 seconds after the process, you have to say that he's a good dog, without any fuss, just that he's a good dog. Avoid him sleeping on your lap at the moment, or on the couch, in the bedroom or worse on your bed, don't pat him for nothing, only when he does things you asked him to do to show your are proud of him and reinforcing his belief that your are a good leader, also allow him to eat one hour after your own meal, don't allow him to go 1rst when you open a door, teach him to stay back of you and wait a signal to go through thew the door, and don't give him treats for no reason and make him sit before you give him food, and I would advise you do all of that scrupulously during intense training and for a few months for him to really understand the message and not forget about it as soon as you are cooler with him. I would if I was you buy a muzzle only to protect yourself against bad accident, you would put it on every walks, and if you are going near some dogs, if he knows the back , or leave, or heel commands instruct him to stay heel, or back etc, and say he's a good dog is he responds correctly, try not to tense to much at the other end of the lead, he will feel your fear. Of course the most training you do with your dog, the most confident you will be with him, and vice versa.
So to resume, I think he probably suffers from grief, place in the pack, and that some work can be done to make him feel more secure and you more confident with him. But keep in mind that aggressive problems are probably the more trickiest problems for us owners, as you could face destruction of the animal after attacks, and/or damage to other dogs, people, cats or other animals. So please if the problem seems to grows bigger and out of control, I urge you to seek professional trainer, and behaviourist's help.
Good luck Trevor

Geraldine

I love the last post!It sums it up in a single sentance.Your dog is grieving still,and has now become no1 dog.Give him time...he needs to reajust.