My dad has a very animal aggressive dog...?

Question

It's a female dog named Jessie, she's a mutt of unknown background (she was a stray when she was found). She seems to be a husky shepherd mix. When she sees another dog she goes crazy. She growls and lunges and barks and whines. She refuses to be calmed. I've tried every way I can think of (distractions, treats, calming her) nothing works. My dad and I have argued about this because his way of making her stop is to pull up on her choke chain and choke her all the way down the block until shes calm. He doesn't understand that this is adding stress to a stressful state. (and btw that doesn't work either). What can I do?

One of the first times we walked her we saw this chihuahua and she didn't show aggression so we let her see it, thinking she was friendly. She tried to pick the poor thing up in her mouth. I really need help.

Answer 1

Start by ditching the choke collar and getting yourself a halti-lead. It goes around the muzzle and behind the ears. A dog can only go where its head leads it. Next, when she she's another dog and tries the pulling, whining, etc. administer a loud distraction noise and immediately turn her around and walk away from the other dog. Before you know it she'll figure out that her behavior is not acceptable. Once she does and is calmer as she approaches another dog praise her good behavior. This may be a short process or a long and tedious one but you, and your dad, must stick with it! And remember that once aggressive they may likely remain that way so diligence is key! Good luck.

Answer 2

Consult a professional, if you try to stop your dog when she gets into a fight, you or your father may get injured. Obedience classes will probably work, if not, consult someone specializing in dog aggression.  

Answer 3

Well, stop using the choke chain no.1.. you're right it is adding to her stress and she's just gonna try and resist it and the more your dad is pulling on it, the more she's gonna lunge.. You can try getting a gentle leader which will help with the pulling, but she's obviously had a socialisation problem in her life and its very good of you to take her in. I dont think there's much you can do about it because she wasnt socialised well at a young age. There are dog behaviouralists out there but without experience i dont think you're able to help her on your own beyond getting a collar which will help with pulling and lunging.. If you've watched the dog whisperer, you'll find that there are people out there like caesar milan (however unlike him they dont use punishment techniques i.e shock collars and choke chains which i personally think are cruel).. I know a good one which lives here in sydney but wherever you live im sure you can find one which will help you to the best of their ability to help your dog overcome her social problem. Obedience classes may seem good on the surface but taking your dog to one in hope to seek her a better social life is unsafe to the other dogs and dog owners which will be there and if your dog is surely agressive you probably will be kicked out of the class because of the fact that your dog will be dissrupting the learning and other owners will complain of your dog's agression and hence will feel scared for their own dog's safety.. Hope things work out though!

Good Luck!

Answer 4

uh oh some dogs are just aggressive towards other things, i would keep her away from them

dont listen to the answer above, my american staffs are like that, and rotties, we use choke chains, but it never does anything.

Answer 5

Obedience classes are your best bet. She will slowly get socialized with other dogs, and eventually learn that there is no reason for her to flip out over them. You will also learn how to handle her properly when she does misbehave. Both you and your dad should go to the classes together so you both know exactly what was taught and how it was taught.

Answer 6

muzzle until the aggression is remedied definitely just in case someones hand gets in the way. aggressive dogs are usually stressed out for one reason or another, if its mainly other dogs it might have to do with territory, is she this way outside or inside the house or both?  taking her out of the situation until she calms down, sitting the dog down, and a light reprimand so she knows that's not okay. if she begins to show aggression immediately distract her or continue walking away.

Answer 7

okay well it's not weird that ur dog does that b/c one of my dog which is golden retriever, does that!!(aggresion to other dogs)

When u walk her, and u come to meet a dog, that she starts to bark at, go back(the other direction),!!

when u feel that she calms down, keep walking the way u were normally heading!!

KEEP DOING THIS UNTIL SHE STOPS ACTING THAT WAY!!

MAKE SURE THAT U TAKE EMEDIATE ACTION BEFORE SHE GETS TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL!!

tell ur dad to please stop doing that b/c she can get really hurt!!

BEST OF LUCK TO U AND UR POOCH!!