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Kian is a 13-month-old neutered male.
Over the past 6 weeks I have noticed that every time we take him for a walk he lunges at other dogs.
Here are the scenarios.
1. Out for a walk, dog walking towards us. His ears perk up and so does his tail (high noon). His demeanor completely changes. Then the other dog’s attention is peaked as well and the stare off begins. If we (myself and the other owner) do not let them meet, Kian barks and lunges at the other dog. It’s a deep bark (2-3) and quick, then his hackles are up and he looks like a Rhodesian ridgeback. I continue on and he forgets about it.
2. Same as above except this time we decide the dogs should greet each other. Tail is wagging but he goes up to the dog and greets their snout and then, maybe he will go for the backside and sniff. If he does not, he will bark at the dog while he is in their face…again hackles go up and we walk away.
3. He will bark at the other dog, lunge and show teeth with a growl.
4. He will whine if they don’t greet him and start to jump at me as if to tell me he wants to go over and greet them.
Now every time he barks and acts aggressive (at least that’s what I think) I correct him with a verbal scolding, grab him by the collar, wrap my other hand around his snout and make him look right at me and say NO BARKING!
I guess what I am wondering is a few things.
Is he greeting other dogs properly by going in snout first?
Is he acting aggressive towards them?
Why is he lunging at them?
How can this be corrected?
I don’t want him to be the dog in the neighborhood that people will say…”Oh, here comes that angry dog, let’s go this way.”
Any help is appreciated here.
Thanks in advance.
Over the past 6 weeks I have noticed that every time we take him for a walk he lunges at other dogs.
Here are the scenarios.
1. Out for a walk, dog walking towards us. His ears perk up and so does his tail (high noon). His demeanor completely changes. Then the other dog’s attention is peaked as well and the stare off begins. If we (myself and the other owner) do not let them meet, Kian barks and lunges at the other dog. It’s a deep bark (2-3) and quick, then his hackles are up and he looks like a Rhodesian ridgeback. I continue on and he forgets about it.
2. Same as above except this time we decide the dogs should greet each other. Tail is wagging but he goes up to the dog and greets their snout and then, maybe he will go for the backside and sniff. If he does not, he will bark at the dog while he is in their face…again hackles go up and we walk away.
3. He will bark at the other dog, lunge and show teeth with a growl.
4. He will whine if they don’t greet him and start to jump at me as if to tell me he wants to go over and greet them.
Now every time he barks and acts aggressive (at least that’s what I think) I correct him with a verbal scolding, grab him by the collar, wrap my other hand around his snout and make him look right at me and say NO BARKING!
I guess what I am wondering is a few things.
Is he greeting other dogs properly by going in snout first?
Is he acting aggressive towards them?
Why is he lunging at them?
How can this be corrected?
I don’t want him to be the dog in the neighborhood that people will say…”Oh, here comes that angry dog, let’s go this way.”
Any help is appreciated here.
Thanks in advance.