I am still having a problem with my 4 yr.old lab bitch. At home and around people she is the sweetest, softest, silliest lab going. She has always lunged at other dogs when out, but after a quick sniff no problem. Since her litter last year, she is now very growly and going for dogs at times. She has had loads of training and socialisation but now I just can't trust her off lead if there is another dog in sight. Last week she ran off our drive after a neighbours irish setter - completely unprovoked.
We have walked her strictly to heel, practised recalls and praised her for ignoring dogs, but still she misbehaves. I know it has been suggested that she is being very protective to her daughter, now 15 months, but I have to try and overcome this aggression in her. I never know when or how she will react to another dog as sometimes she just plays.
I'm not a great believer in behaviourists, but if I thought it would really help, I'd try it. Any suggestions please. I have spoken to my vet about it and thought of spaying, but wonder if that would really make much difference.

Lorna

Lorna,

From what I know spaying rarely if ever helps with any aggression problems in female dogs.

Does she exhibit this behaviour when out on her own or only when she is out with her daughter?

Theresa

Actually spaying helped both my bitches with their aggressive and nervous problems! I was a tad surprised at how much they improved but they certainly became a lot more affectionate and not so confrontational. I think it depends on why the bitch has become aggressive. If it is hormonal then spaying will help!

that's interesting Bec, thanks for that.

Theresa

Hi Bec
That's interesting.
Bayley can sometimes be grouchy (only towards other IW bitches though) and we have found that it is always around her season, when she is due, or in, or just out. So it really could be hormonal.
During the rest of her year she is v.docile and completely at ease with other dogs. :)
Nicky

I have a similar problem with my 2½ yr old Black Lab. He is brilliant at home, with children and my other pets, a cat and a rabbit! He is also good on walks, (although not brilliant training wise), but he has problems with certain dogs in the village. We had a problem with an owner of 2 male German Pointers, that have attacked several dogs, and my dog Buster was a victim twice! I put his behaviour down to his bad experiences, as he was totally sound up until that point! My dog is fine with all dogs, unless the other dog is nervous or growls, then he reacts aggressivly (perhaps he thinks they are going to attack him). I am now in the process of taking Buster to training, and when I introduced him to the class, his heckles went up and occasionally grumbled with a growl, showing he was nervous. I think unless your dog has had an experience like mine, where their behaviour is a result of an experience, then it sounds like its hormonal (us females can be a bit snapy at times...hey!). And as you said about a Behaviourist, I believe that they are the same as a Trainer, as at the end of the day, I think Dog training actually trains the owner how to behave and train, rather than actually training your dog! A behaviourist will charge lots of money too!

No problem before the puppies, have tried walking them seperately but it is so time consuming and really didn't make much difference. She has done lots of training, from basic through to gundog work. She can be absolutely fine at training but then on a walk the following day act as if she's never been trained. Having said that, this morning saw two dogs running towards us, put mine on their leads and kept them steady whilst other dogs jumped and sniffed around them. Eventually two women appeared and called the two dogs away. Walked on a bit and let mine off lead again with no problem.
It sounds like hormonal, but I hate to put her through an operation for no reason if it doesn't end up making any difference. Met up with 2 other champdoggers for walk last year and she was docile as ever.
Lorna