There are a number of reasons why a dog may show aggression toward other dogs. Dog aggression often occurs if a dog has not been socialized properly as a puppy. Other times, a dog may have had an experience, such as a dog fight or being attacked by another dog, that triggers an aggressive response toward dogs. And some dogs are just naturally dominant, particularly during puberty.
Whatever the cause of your pet's dog aggression, you can work on the problem. The best results often occur with the help of a qualified dog trainer or dog behaviorist, but there are some things that you can do on your own. First, go back to the basics of socialization. Get your dog out and about and interacting in a variety of situations. Be sure to take safety precautions by keeping your dog well away from those things that trigger aggression and use a muzzle if necessary. Also be sure to praise him when he responds appropriately.
With the help of a friend's dog, you can also do some exercises to help deal with dog aggression. First, know what your dog's behaviors are saying. When dogs sniff each other's butts, wag their tails at body level, and move side by side, they're exhibiting friendly behavior. If, however, they wag or hold their tail over the back, have their ears forward, or meet face-to-face, they're exhibiting some unfriendly behaviors. You can force your dog into friendly behavior by walking him with another dog. Both should be on leashes and walking parallel to one another, but not close enough that they can touch or snap at each other. As they begin to relax, start walking them closer together. Another exercise is to have one dog sit while on a leash. With the other dog on a leash, walk him toward the first dog to a distance of about six feet, then turn away. If the first dog shows signs of aggression, keep the distance between them further apart. Repeat this exercise, turning away before the sitting dog has a chance to show signs of aggression, and be sure to reward him when he acts appropriately. If acts inappropriately and shows signs of aggression, spray him with a water bottle or water gun. Alternate the two dogs so that each gets to sit and walk. As the dogs show appropriate behavior, start decreasing the distance between them. A third exercise is to hold the head of one dog while he is standing and allowing the second dog to briefly sniff his rear end. Praise both dogs for appropriate responses. These exercises will need to be repeated and you will eventually need to expand to include other dogs.
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