Hi All,

My eldest Cocker Spaniel has started being agressive to other dogs.  Not all dogs, just some.  He's brilliant with our younger cocker, if anything the younger on bullies him!

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has any ideas why he has started behaving like this.  He is such a sweet natured boy, it's not like him.  It's also quite embarassing when he starts growling and barker, other owners look at me like i'm dirt.

My OH thinks that we should have him catrated, but I only would want to do this if I think it would make him better, which I'm not sure it would.

I would be very grateful of any suggestions people may have, it's driving me mad.

Many Thanks

Claire

How old is he and what, exactly does his aggression consist of.

Hi There,

He is now 2 1/2 yrs old.  He mainly growls and barks.  He has a couple of times pinned dogs down, but it's never got out of hand as he's always on a lead when we see another dog.  It's just these dogs have ran up to him.  He's never bitten another dog either.

It's strange as our younger cocker is 1 now and the eldest one never does anything to him.

Why do you think he's like this with other dogs? 

Thanks

TBH if the behaviour you are describing is only occurring when he is on the lead and other dogs rush up to him I would have no cause for concern.  It is the other dogs that are being rude and their owners who are inconsiderate.

This is perfectly normal and acceptable behaviour (by your dog) and unacceptably ill mannered behaviour by other owners and their dogs.

So relax.

Read the following:

http://www.flyingdogpress.com/sayhi.html

Hi Tohme,

That's a really good article.  Thanks for that.

It looks as if my boy isn't agressive after all!

Claire

Is he the same when he's out with you on his own, or is it only when you have your other dog with you?

Hi Jeangenie,

It happens mainly when we have the other dog with us.  Do you think walking them both together is the main problem?

It's a possible avenue to explore. It could be that the older one's defending the younger. I know my dogs all behave differently when I have them out individually to when we're all out together.

I will try taking them out at different times more and see if I notice any difference.  That thought did cross my mind actually, so you're probably right.

Thanks for your response

When I had 3 Boxers I got a real surprise out on a walk when a dog appeared out of nowhere and knocked my oldest boy off his feet into a ditch. Youngest Boxer chased attacking dog off and ran round him in circles until the owner who we had passed about 10 minutes before appeared. No way he was going to let it get near to attack again.

I was absolutely gobsmacked but it made me see my youngest in a new light. He had more sense than I gave him credit for. My middle boy wasn't interested once he realised I wasn't under threat.

Anne