Aggressive dog

**vampirelestat13** · 12-19-2011, 06:41 AM

Hi I'm new to this but have a question if anyone can help.

I have a 2yr old Choclate Lab called Poppy. She loves being out but is very aggressive towards other dogs. especially smaller dogs. This causes a problem oviously and whenever a dog is in the vicinity I have to put her on the lead.

Any tips on what I can do to try and get her out of this.

**Tanya** · 12-19-2011, 07:03 AM

are there trainers nearby you can work with? That would be the IDEAL way to help your dog - especially a trainer experienced with behaviour issues (behaviourist).

What exactly is she doing? Can you explain the situation(s) and behaviours?

I highly recommend the book Controlled Unleshed by Leslie McDevitt (Leslie McDevitt: Control Unleashed®: Home Page)

ETA: you may have to keep her on lead whenever you are in public and may meet other dogs (and stay farther away from them).

**bett** · 12-19-2011, 10:18 AM

have you taken any classes, as they help with socialization.

**vampirelestat13** · 12-19-2011, 03:16 PM

Thanks for the advice. No she hasn't been to any classes but will look for some by me.

She will sniff the dogs first which is normal but then she will growl and attack them. I have tried telling her off and saying No but she still does it.

**morla** · 12-19-2011, 04:43 PM

Hi! Welcome to the forum! I hope you it here!

**Tanya** · 12-19-2011, 05:30 PM

has she ever bitten another dog?

I would keep her on leash in public (she can run free in areas you know she won't meet other dogs) and stop letting her meet other dogs like that. One day that will become a very very bad dog fight (depending on the dog she picks to go after). If there are trainers in your area that would be ideal, this is something trickier to work on

**tkeizer** · 12-20-2011, 02:01 PM

Hello & Welcome! I agree that finding some obedience classes would be the first place you should start - you may need some one-on-one help to deal specifically with agression / dominance issues. One thing you can try when you meet another dog is instead of letting Poppy sniff the other dog first, let the other dog sniff Poppy first. If Poppy still growls and wants to attack, put Poppy on the ground and on her side and let the other dog sniff her then.