T-CUPS Agression towards other dogs
She is the perfect family dog around people and loves to play and run around the house and yard. Open for helpful suggestions........  |
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| I have had five sheepdogs, one litter, and now - the fifth - is 3-1/2 months old. I am no expert, but have had some experience.
OES are herding, or working, dogs. My experience is that they are not very desirous of socializing with other dogs as much as herding them. My previous OES, who moved with me from the country to the city, would go out for exercise in Washington Square Park with the other dogs and the "dog people". She was an exceptional dog, and very much the standard OES (mama and papa were champions). Well, after a while, the "dog people" asked if we could not come to the park when they did. Seems my OES would instinctively herd the smaller dogs into a corner of the exercise area, and if they moved out of it (which is what their masters wanted, in the way of exercising them) she would nip them and put them back in the corner. She also considered the larger dogs to be predators, and would not allow them near the smaller dogs. This is a very special breed of dog, and the closer to the standard, in behavior and conformation, the more herding behavior will be exhibited. This might be interpreted as aggresive behavior to other dogs, either in an attempt to herd them, or protect against them. Of course, I could be completely off base, but that's been my experience. |
| Airdale's reply is so interesting viz herding behavior.
I have sheepies posessed with both behaviors described (by DJG and airdale). All 3 of our current sheepies are rescued. Colby is descended from strong champion lines and although he flunked his herding instinct test (the tester couldn't control him), nonetheless he is a very strong herder. When we attend a weekly dog play group, he acts like an insane wild boy, barking, chasing and herding the other dogs. He has to be in the play group for big dogs only. He never shows aggression toward other dogs, but he does display his herding behavior and somehow they know the difference. Ollie on the other hand, (have I mentioned that he's NOT my dog?) is very dog aggressive with dogs he doesn't know. His original owners say that the behavior started after he was attacked by a German Shepherd, but I suspect that he's always been this way. He goes into the aggressive posture the minute he comes in close proximity to another dog -- goes stiff, snarl and fixed stare. We have completed several full obedience courses, and at best, I can manage his behavior, but not eliminate it. It is difficult to arrange the "right" circumstances to provide Ollie with a positive reward for not displaying aggression toward another dog. Typically this behavior is triggered by proximity -- I take Ollie on a leash and walk toward another dog until he goes into a stiff/aggressive posture at which point I back away or increase the distance between him and the other dog. I repeat the exercize, each time rewarding him we succeed in getting closer to the other dog. Ollie is also occasionally "resource posessive" with my two dogs (MY bone, MY person) and the three of them regularly challenge each other's pack order. Sometimes each of them has staked out a napping position that the other's can't cross and they end up with three way gridlock, pretty funny. |
| Oh Fritzi! Thank you!!! I was thinking MO was aberant. She loves people, skiddish around children but absolutely hates other animals. Any rescue must be kept secluded from her sight for several days or suffer THAT bark and aggression. Once she is used to a new dog, she simply ignores it (thankfully). |
| Reading with interest.
My Tyler is dog aggressive and it is motivated out of fear. So what I have is the worst possible issue, Fear Aggression. Tyler was my first and I didn’t know as much then as I do today or will tomorrow, and I didn’t push getting him over the aggression and I didn’t know how to either. Now he is too old to put through all of that (11+ yrs old). But what I do want to recommend to anyone who feels that his or her OES is aggressive, if you have a puppy or young dog, work hard to get him past it. Get him socialized to dogs as early as you can. Owning an aggressive dog is hell. Read every book, article and OES.ORG forum posting on the issue. Get a trainer if you have to but don’t allow it to continue. I wish that I knew what I do today and that I had this forum when I got Tyler (over 7 years ago). While in my opinion he is a wonderful dog, the aggression will always be an issue. Kiera on the other hand loves other dogs and I work hard to keep her socialized to dogs, she has dates with other dogs to meet in dog parks and she is so well behaved. This is my opportunity to also say that dogs barking at other dogs, while on leash is not always aggression. For instance, Tyler never barks at other dogs, he just stares and shakes, really scary for me to see him like that. I always try to break his focus and move on. Kiera on the other hand barks and barks. Once in the park with the other dogs off leash, a perfect lady…. Who would have guessed when she was barking her head off and breaking my ear drums…. I learned that face to face encounters for dogs is a very fearful experience. What I was recently taught is to introduce two dogs by each dog and owner walking in a large circle in the same direction. Then let the circle get gradually smaller allowing each dog to get the scent of the other dog. As this process continues, you will see them relaxing and you can then let one dog smell the other dog butt, then visa versa. Once each dog has had a chance at a good sniff, you all proceed on a walk together. I have had good luck with this method even with Tyler so it really works, but be very patient and don’t rush the “introductory sniffs”. |
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