I have  a 14 month male Rottie, called Obi. He has been neutered and is the most friendliest dog and well behaved! Until we go out! He has always got on with other dogs, for the most part, occassionaly he has taken a dislike to another dog and had a go, but we have always been in controll. But over the last 4-5 weeks his attitude towards other dogs has deteriorated so much I actually dread taking him out! I am so not sure how he will react to other dogs that I can't let him of lead which is a real shame because he loves playing ball!
He knows his place on the totem pole.
When he sees another dog all attention from me is lost, he pulls on his harness to get there, and barks loudly, it is not his usuall bark though. it is high pitched and sounds excited. His tail (or rather stump) Is held high, but he has no hackles raised. he is very strong and you can imagine trying to restrain a 9st dog that wants to get away! He has had socialiastion and puppy traing. But unfortunatly the training class was attached to my vets and has dispanded through lack of interest! We live very ruraly and don't drive so it's nigh impossible to take him to another school! We are thinking about a behavourist for him.
we have recently adopted a resue GSD X and he gets on with her wonderfully. And we have had no probs with them. She gets on with all dogs and is a submissive dog by nature.
Obi is good with strangers and loves everybody. I really need help with this. it's very upsetting and I really dont want to muzzle him! please help!

Without seeing the situation it is difficult to say what the cause may be. When was he castrated and when did you get the bitch? Does either seem to have a relationship to this agression. Don't know if this will help us make any suggestion as with this sort of problem it is usualy best to get someone on the spot take a look.

He was nuetered at 10 months. And we have had Maggie for a little over a week! We have been walking them seperatly because Maggie can't walk on a lead. So it's tough with both. All I seem to be doing is walking the dogs. LOL.
Maggie is 6 months old. was found as a stray at around 4 months, adopted out but returned because she was to bouncy! She came to us from a foster home. She has settled in really well and have had no problems with her. We have kept the hirachy (sp?) of the pack. Saying hello to Obi 1st, giving him treats and not Maggie, letting him know he has no competion. We are (my husband and I) are the pack leaders this is well established. the children are next. they give Obi treats and I have taught them to show preference to Obi over Maggie.
Bearing in mind Maggie is well loved and gets her fair share of cuddles and hugs. Maggie has not been spayed yet!
We took them all for a walk on sunday and it was very busy at the park. ALll in all it was a disaster. Obi misbehavved so much we had to go home. Every dog we saw he pulled at to get and whinned and yapped, (yes my big Rottie Yapped). I just cant decide wether it's play or meanness! He is to big and strong to take that chance! How can Iget his attention away from dogs and back to me! I have tried loud noises and food! It is very hard to just pull him away. My husband has cuts on hands from where Obi has pulled so hard and the lead has dug in! I can't see a relationship between all of this but It definatly was worse sunday than it has ever been!

Although without seeing the behaviour myself, he almost sounds frustrated at not being able to get at the other dogs. Is his ball a bigger distraction that the dogs? My BC doesn't like other dogs, but is so focused on playing ball that she would ignore a herd of elephants (or dogs) going past if i have her ball out. It is hard to say exactly why he is doing this, but i can suggest using a headcollar so that you have more control when he starts pulling. Then you can start working on trying to keep his attention on you when other dogs are around. You need to be the most interesting person when another dog appears so that he isn't so focused on getting the other dogs.

This to me sounds like he is pulling to actually go and play with the other dogs. Have you tried taking him over to them? If the other dog is off its lead, keep Obi on it and see what happens. With regards to the yapping, this is usually a sign of playfulness.

I really, personaly think he is just wanting to go and play with them. Im not an expert though, just from experience. Walk him by the other dogs, close enough that he can play with them, but far enough to be able to pull him away if he does start to be funny with them, if you knwo what I mean, lol :)

Let me know what happens though. :D

Ben
:)

Think you may have a combination of problems at the moment. 2 puppies are always at least 4 times the work. You are correct to walk them separate until they are both trained to walk properly, pay attention to you and are safe. Would forget about the hierarchy, bitches will invariable take that place, so let them worry about that.  If his behaviour changed before you had the bitch, say in the last 12 weeks or so, I would think it may be his castration, it can make them more defensive and they feel the need to get in first, they can also take longer to grow up or it could just be that he wants to play. With a dog that heavy you can't allow him to rush up to other dogs he could hurt them just by his bulk. If you do not take them to training already I would start training straight away.

If this behaviour has only just started within the last month or so take him to the vet tell them what is happening ask them to advice a trainer who can help you. Don't ignore it, even if it is just a teenage stage, uncontrolled it won't go away, and he may become a real problem, you don't say what breed the bitch is but she will also get to a difficult stage when you reaches 9 to 10 months and will need to know you are in charge and not the dog. So find yourself a good one to one trainer now and get the problem sorted.

thankyou all for your advise. I will certainly get a trainer in. that is not a problem. Maggie is a GSD X, not sure what she is crossed with. She is very small. hence one of the reasons she appealed to us!
Obi is a good boy at heart.
Maggie has vets tonight, to microchipped so I will talk to him then about it all!

thank you once again!

Wendy

Has he only started this behaviour since you have had your bitch?  Dogs can be extremely protective over "their" bitches whilst out, spayed or entire..................................

No he was terror before. I have a behavourist coming out to sse them in the next couple of days. I feel this is something I can't deal with on my own. Once again tahankyou!

Don't want to put a damper on things or teach you to suck eggs but presumably this behaviourist is one that is registered with the APBC or UKRCB and not just someone calling themselves a behaviourist or belonging to one of the franchises where you can learn to be a behaviourist in two weeks........................................................