My boys (2 Irish Setters, Alf 2yrs and Fagan nearly 3) are usually really good with other dogs but there are some that they have taken a dislike to and its really getting me down.  they have had a couple of bad experiences with Boxers and now go for any boxer we see, Fagan even goes for the female boxer at obedience classes.  There are also 2 Vizlas which they absolutely hate, ive no idea if they are dogs or bitches but they walk in the field behind my house and I have to be constantly aware if they are around as my two chase them barking.  If we see them on lead around the village they really fly for them and tonight I struggled holding on to them because my wellies were slipping on the wet ground.  I dont think the vizlas owners are too impressed with their behaviour but I really dont know what to do to stop it, the owners dont seem very appoachable (well neither would I be!) so I dont feel I can ask if maybe we can meet some where with mine individually for a play to see if that sorts them out. They are the main ones but Fagan also dislikes a couple of spaniels, one at agility which he is getting used to and then at obedience last week he went for an elderly cocker for no reason at all.

Does anyone have any ideas what I can do I really am at my wits end

Claire

Hi Claire, I'm not going to be any help I'm afraid, but I remember when Bailey (also Irish Setter, now 10 years old) was this exact age. He became quite bolshy, and I was so embarrassed by him most days. In my case my younger dog Cassidy, (another Irish, now dead, lost him to bloat) was a real sweetie and didn't get involved in the fracas ever. So I only had Bailey to contend with. He did grow out of it after a few months, but thats no help to you is it?

Chin up girl,
Dawn R.

Alfie has started doing it at shows too, if another dog eyeballs him his tail goes up and the grumbles start.  Also the gordon at training who used to be Fagans best friend is now enemy no. 1 :rolleyes:

Mine tend to wind eachother up, the solution would be to walk separtately but its not often we see other dogs so it would probably be a waste of time.

2 boys together? Perhaps they are feeling like a pack? Maybe they're just bolshy? Each one must have confidance of the "total brother back up" from other. And added to that, they're a couple of lads who don't need anyone else? All possible. Perhaps you should try walking them seperatley to see if there is a trigger. Other than that, maybe turn back for home and ruin their walk. It's a difficult one and a real pain for you, so good luck and I hope someone else wil come along and can really help you soon.

Yes, 2 boys, both entire :rolleyes: They know their pack status  but I think their ages are making them quite bolshy and if one starts the other joins in.  The one I show does start fights on his own at shows so he doesnt need his brothers back up but I think when they are together it makes it worse.

Sorry to hear you are having problems - Max can be a bit bolshy but usually a firm 'pack it in' from me sorts him out - he will be 3 in April.  But having said that none of the others join in with him and like you we don't meet many other dogs out!

Although I don't have the same problem at shows with Max.

It does sounds like it's Alf's age and perhaps Fagan just follows suit?  Do you use headcollars with them - I know what you mean trying to hold them?

Wish I had some helpful advice for you - I'm sure someone can give some helpful advice for you.

I do have headcollars for them, Fagan refuses to walk in his though - even if I leave him at home with the gate open and walk off, he would rather stay home than walk with it on his face   Alfie does walk with his on, I might start using it when we do lead walks, most of our walks though they are only on the lead for a few minutes just until we get to the back lane so I cant be bothered fiddling with a head collar, although I think I will have to if this happens again :rolleyes:

I know how you feel, my walks with Zak (GSD dog, 3 years old & neutured) & Tilly (Terrier x spayed) can be quite hair-raising. I only have the problem on the their home territory though. At shows the GSD now walks quietly past dogs which even have a go at him. I am sure 2 dogs (whatever sex/entire or not) give one another confidence to defend one another & challenge others. I live on a road where there are a number of dogs left in gardens to terrorize anyone trying to get past with their dogs. I know someone who's dogs actually fight between themselves as they go past these gates, because the barking winds them up. My dogs can also recognise these dogs when they are on walks, the 2 of them will not tolerate dogs which bark at them.

I also have to put up with an alcoholic neighbour next door who lets his pointer bark for hours on end in the garden. My boy now thinks he has to protect me from her all the time. They will never, ever be friends. Zak grew up, never seeing her over the wall, but always listening to her bark.

The owner occasionally when really drunk (most of the time) lets her out of a taxi at the top of his drive. She flies over my front garden & throws herself at my gate barking. You can imagine what it's like. I don't blame my dog for trying to defend his home & me from her. The gate actually bounced open the other week & my dog pinned her down on my front garden. He didn't bite her, she was ok, he came straight away when I shouted him. The idiot of the owner still does it though! It is bliss when he is away from home.

Please don't anyone suggest moving, my home is my castle! I lived there before he did!