Behavior question
Submitted by tonyjerry on March 31, 2012 - 8:50pmA friend came over with her dog today. Very sweet older neutered golden. Oliver (one year old and neutered) immediately ran up to him and jumped on his back in attack mode. No sniffing no nothing. Just immediately jumped and started growling. He didn't bite him but I'm sure it could have escalated if he wasn't grabbed. The poor dog was quivering he was so scared. I know I should have had him on leash initially but is there any explanation for this unprovoked behavior? And what is the best way to correct him so it doesn't happen again? Im not so sure if he knows he did anything wrong. Thanks
Oliver didn't do anything wrong
he simply acted like a dog. You brought an intruder onto his property. Depending on Oliver's dog to dog social skills and experiences, he may never be O.K. with "intruders", some males don't like other males but are fine with females, same with females, some don't like larger dogs-or smaller dogs, the list of likes and dislikes goes on.
That said, now that you know Oliver is likely to behave like that, next time, put both dogs on leashes. Calmly walk them around the yard, down the street and slowly close the distance between them, watch both dogs behavior. Any jumping/lunging/growling/hard staring/stiff body etc., a calm "too bad" and increase the distance again. If one dog is doing a lot of sniffing the ground, looking away from the other dog or is trying to move in the opposite direction, they are trying to diffuse/calm the other dog. You can also work with teaching him that great things happen when a "stranger dog" is present. Bring Oliver outside on leash(other dog is also leashed) get his attention by asking for a sit/watch me and give him really great treats. Use those high value treats only in the presence of another dog and then work on the walking together.
Good luck, remember to always stay calm. How we act or react has a lot to do with what our dogs learn.
Lynn King CPDT-KA