I was taking Dizzy out for her evening walk last week and another dog came from nowhere and started a very noisy attack on her. Obviously Dizzy fought back as best she could and she eventually made enough noise that the other dog backed off. This was just in time for his owner to come round the corner and accuse me of having a dangerous dog

He shouted and even went to kick at Diz and that's when I told him that she was the less frightening of the 2 of us and he should be careful what he's starting, lol!

Anyway the problem is that since then she seems to want to attack first and ask questions later. She has gone from being a little wary of other dogs but eventually playing, to growling and snarling at anything that comes into view. It's not just other dogs either, last night we walked her late so she could have the park to herself and she started to bark at a jogger.

She's a 3 year old Great Dane and I have no idea how to undo the damage

I'm really surprised you havent had any responses to this.  All I can recommend is that you use the search functionality on dog agression - there are loads - and see if you find any of those ideas helpful.  My own dog is very vocal when seeing others - I have tried a few things but definitely the best has been to walk in the same direction as the other dog at a distance where your dog isnt barking and gradually get closer - eventually mine realises that there is no threat the other dog is just there and gives up.  If a dog approaches him quickly though he doesnt like it - it's just a case of move him away.

Good Luck

Maxine  

Thanks Maxine, I have to admit to thinking I shouldn't have posted!

I've probably made it worse by changing her walking times to prevent her coming into contact with others instead of desensitising her, but I'll give your idea a go.

A very good little booklet you may find very helpful is "The Cautious Canine" by Pat McConnell. It's available from www.canineconcepts.co.uk

It's basically about desensitizing and counterconditioing, and explains it so well, it really is worth investing as it's not expensive for the info you get :)

Hth a bit
Lindsay
x

:rolleyes: It's out of stock but I've bookmarked it and will get it asap thanks!

I'm going to try and go back to basic socialising with her in quiet places with my husband there to help out if she gets rowdy.  I was hoping to get a new pup next week and I don't want him picking up on this.

Good luck :)

Lindsay
x

Hi

Sorry I cant help but I think that you should take professional advice asap to undo the damage as quickly as possible. If you leave it too long you might have an uphill battle.

Poor you though. What a dreadful experience. Good for you for standing up for yourself. Hes lucky he didnt get a good wallop by the sounds of it!

Hope it sorts itself out x

Hi. We used to have 2 Great Dane bitches up until last year when we lost the last one. My OH was walking them both and they passed a front garden and a dog ran out barking and going for one of the Danes. The one the dog went for could never be let off near other dogs or even walk past dogs on her lead on their walks. She totally changed from a placid dog who loved and wanted to play with everything to being very vocal and trying to get dogs. The other one wasnt affected by this. We just had to be more aware when taking her out. I know this isnt much help, but it happened to us to.

Thanks for letting me know we're not alone, I just hope that I can turn it around quickly or I'll have to get her a muzzle and I think they make dogs look fierce and gives the wrong impression - not to mention leaves her without her main defense if it were to happen again

Hi

Just thought I would see how you've been getting on,

Maxine

Hi Maxine,

We spent the whole weekend with Dizzy in the park, at the beach and last night we took her to the pet shop to see how she'd be with people and dogs on leads (the park and beach were pretty deserted!).

She was fine with strangers petting her and only pulled to one spaniel but didn't growl or look agressive at all just wanted to play silly beggers lol!

I think I'm going to have to keep up the socialising and basics of distracting her and loads of praise when he does it right but I don't think it's going to be a long term problem :)

Well done - looks like it will be alright.  Whereas with my little darling I'm sure it is something I will always have to manage and be aware of.  Still he has improved loads since we got him so you never know my luck.

Hope it carries on going well

Maxine

Thought I'd give you an update...

As Dizzy is coming out of her season her behaviour is improving lots. I've been exercising her in the garden so can't tell you how she's going to be with other dogs but her recall is getting much better.

I also tried hand feeding her as I'd read an article about it helping gain respect. Well, I don't know if she respects me any more, but she is certainly much more gentle with her mouth! She's also getting the hang of a 'sit - leave' with food and toys and I'm hoping this along with distraction and a dogmatic or similar will help with the resocialising of her :)

Thanks for all the advise and encouragement!