Hi

I have a 2 year old Weirmaraner who is extremely soft.  He has started to growl at all dogs on leads.  If a dog has a go at him whilst they are off the lead he runs a mile. (this is how soft he is) It is becoming quite a struggle.  Has anybody any advice about this or is my dog just a mad bully?

Sounds like a case of lack of confidence to me. Dogs on lead often pull which makes their breathing sound heavy and therefore aggressive. This may be why he is worried by them. Do you take him to socialisation classes? If not it may help as all the dogs will be one lead. You could mention your problem to the trainer who should be able to help. And no, he isn't a mad bully. :) Good luck.

Thanks - ive just decided he's going through the terrible two-some's.  He has no problems socialising with other dogs he loves them - I think he just know's that when they are on a lead they may be a little agressive and he's getting in first. 

Personally I would still try to stop that behaviour. You could well find he discovers success at getting the other dogs to back off and so gets worse. One day he may even back it up with more than a growl. At two he is an adult dog, the terrible twos in a dogs case usually start at approx. 8 months, not 2. Therefore I think it is unlikely that he is going through a phase and will grow out of it and if it is allowed to go it could well become a habit.

Ppl often assume it is dominant dogs who are the more aggressive ones but IMO it is the ones lacking in confidence which are more likely to have a problem because they lack the knowledge of how to deal with a situation. Not that I'm saying yours will turn out aggressive, just that I think it's best to try to help him deal with it now rather than leaving it to chance. HTH :)

Many Thanks - I will take your advice and see a trainer.  N

if he runs away offlead but doesnt growl and is growling onlead, i would suggest he feels he has no other option.  ie when he is onlead he does not have the option to run away so he fights.  I would suggest if the behaviour continues to either call a behaviourist to set up a desensitization program for you or try to gradually desensitise him yourself

Hi J - thanks for your message- He only growls when other dogs areon the lead.  He is never on the lead as he is well trained and walks at my side on command.  He even growls at dogs he plays with off lead when they are on the lead ??  I have booked an appointment to see a trainer.  Thanks again. N

>he is well trained and walks at my side on command.

I hope you don't mean on the roads, just in parks etc. No dog no matter how well trained should be off lead near traffic.

My Dad thought his Springer was so well trained he never needed a lead - until the dog ran across a major road and got hit by a milk tanker - he had a broken back, broken pelvis and numerous lacerations to his front legs, head and ears........

as the other dog is onlead then it is possible that ur dog is picking up signals either from the owner, or the other dog may feel threatened because they cannot run away if need be.  My dog can also be funny with other dogs onlead for this very reason and i keep a close eye on her or call her back to me when any approach onlead.  Signals can get very mixed when dogs are onlead

I strongly agree with Colliesrus - your dog is surely only walking to heel off lead in parks etc??  As the owner of 4 weimaraners and a professional dog traininer if this is not the case you are taking a huge risk with your dog not to mention the fact that you are probably breaking the local byelaws!!
Back to the problem at thand - many dogs growl and are defensive on lead as they are restricted especially if your boy is unconfident with other dogs off lead.  You must seek help and training for this problem or it could progress a 2 year old weimaraner although sexually and physically mature is not mentally mature and if he gets his way with this he could progress it to so many other areas.
Take him to a reputable reward based training centre and make sure they use no harsh methods as on weimys more so than on other breeds it willmake them hard.
best of luck

Hi
Thanks for your advice - He is booked in with a behaviourlist tomorrow.  He is really confident with other dogs off the lead - he will play nice with them off the lead, then once they are on the lead he attacks them.  He is extremely placid apart from when he is on the lead - Its all very strang.  Until tomorrow and hopefully the stess may end!

For all of you ---  he does not walk off the lead on the road - ONLY in the park.

You need to remember that off lead he can position his head and body as he feels appropriate when approaching/approached by a strange dog.  On lead he may also feel more driven to defend you.....