My dobe is a lovely boy (15 months old).  We have lovely walks and he has always been friendly to other dogs, always playful and never agressive, more often than not other dogs will growl or bark at him and generally he will come running to me.  Over about the last 6 weeks (I have put a post on before) my dobe has taken a dislike to Schnauzer's.  The first occasion we were just finishing our walk and I was just going to call him to put him on lead when a schnauzer came along, he sniffed my dobe and he sniffed back and then my dobe tried to mount him and when he growled my dobe went for him, all sounding very aggressive.  The second time he was playing with a weimeraner and a schnauzer went to have a look, and again exactly the same.  The third time was yesterday, this time I was in the woods and saw a man and girl but didn't see what dog they had, all of a sudden I see it was a schnauzer, but so had my dobe seen and he just went out of his way to go over and again do the same to this dog.  I can usually walk and my dobe will leave other dogs when I ask him, but he is like something possessed, like a monster!!!  I had my can with stones with me (I had previously spoken to my breeder and she had said take it with you and use it if he does this behaviour again), I threw the can at my dobe (he hates the can) but this did not do anything.  I got hold of him and put him on lead and then spoke to the man, obviously apologising and I then took my dobe straight home.  My dobe makes me look as though I cannot control him and yet he is so good.  The three dogs have all been fine, he doesn't actually seem to be biting but it sounds awful and it is totally distressing.  Yesterday I rang a behaviourist but I am waiting for him to call me back.  also the training school where we attended, and I am taking him back there.  The other thing is castration, but the aggression is only to the one type of dog.  I am so distressed about this, I know my dog is not a monster, I would not dare let him off lead if I thought he was!  Help me!!

Hello, no of course your Dobe is not a monster.  It sounds like you are doing all the right things: trying a behaviourist, back to the training school, considering castration etc.  It is interesting that "most often other dogs will growl or bark at him" though - perhaps there is something in his approach that is causing this reaction, so it will be good to get a behaviourist to look at this.

However, just one suggestion, when you do go to the behaviourist or training school, they might be able to find you a Schnauzer to work with - safely, on-lead of course, if as you suspect, he is only reactive to this particular breed of dog.

Lots of luck.

Hes a male dobe -do something once and its by chance -twice and its a habit :rolleyes:
He's obviously took a strong dislike to Schnauzers -do you know anyone with one who would let you walk with them ?
It sounds like you're exploring all avenues so don't be too hard on him or yourself ;) We don't like everyone we meet yet we expect our dogs to like all other dogs -and sometimes they just don't ! .

Hi,

Do you mean your Dobe does not like mini-Schnauzers?  I assume that's what you mean, since there are not many standard or Giant Schnauzers about, at least not in my area.

If it is just Schnauzers rather than all small dogs, then ideally it would be best to work with a trainer and focus the training on staying calm and well behaved around Schnauzers.   As you obviously know, dogs do recognize other breeds.  Whatever triggered the first incident with a Schnauzer has obviously stuck in his head and he now associates the same unpleasant situation with other Schnauzers.   Either that, or he's in lust with Schnauzers and can't control his passion. :-) 

Stacey

Actually the 2 schnauzers my dobe first went for he did try to mount them at first, but the third one he just went for.  My behaviourist did call me back and he said we should definitely go for castrastion, he had a chat about the fores and againsts.  I really don't think my dobe has an aggression problem, it is only with schnauzers.  I will have him castrated but it is me that has the problem with the castration, I am the same with my children with hospitals and dentists, I know he will be fine!

Hi, Where about's are you as you are welcome to come and see me and Kizzy, she is a mini schnauzer, 14 months and very used to meeting dogs of all shapes and sizes, asa matter of fact one of her best friends is a Dobe. If you are any where near Huddersfieldlet me know and we can arrange something. Viv

I'm just guessing here, but all the schnauzers that i know have long hair over their eyes so their eyes are difficult to see, thus making eye cotact different. Prehaps that is why he has taken such a dislike to them.

I'm on the other side - I am a standard schnauzer owner!  They are lovely dogs but can be quite moody & stubborn, and certain other breeds make my dog 'bristle!', but not for any particular reason.  They are VERY protective and also, tellingly, a bit nervous with dogs that are much bigger than them that they meet for the first time.  I think sometimes you have to accept that, just like people, they're not going to love everyone or every dog that they meet and you sound like you are trying hard to make sure it doesn't go any further!

Jo  x

PS ever since a young GSD nipped my eldest poppy on the bum when she was a few months old (and trying to flee from him) she has been very nervous of them.  Perhaps there is something that happened that you don't know about?

Thank you for that, but I am in Kent.  I am hoping I come across one while I am walking him.  I am walking him on lead at present and I will only let him off if we have a big open space with no corners for a schnauzer to appear round.  May be when we go to training again there may be one there.  Thanks again.