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How do I stop my gun dog being aggressive?

Don't put him into direct conflict with other dogs to start with - keep some distance away so you can exert some control over the situation.

By Jeremy Hunt

Wednesday, 12 December 2007

I have a young labrador gun dog I have had since a pup. He is now 10 months old and has become rather aggressive towards other dogs. Is this something I can deal with or is this how he will always be?

JEREMY HUNT says:

Aggression is never easy to deal with. From the start it's important to state that punishing a gun dog for being aggressive towards other dogs will only make the situation worse.

If you know your dog's parents had temperament problems your task may be more difficult to deal with; otherwise you should be able to overcome it, to some degree at least.

It may be your dog is simply trying to protect you, in which case I would advise letting another capable person take him out and put him in the presence of other dogs, although you will need to be on hand just in case you are needed.

Don't put him into direct conflict with other dogs to start with - keep some distance away so you can exert some control over the situation. If he shows aggression, just keep walking and speak to him harshly to make him realise you will not tolerate his outburst; by all means give him a short, sharp jerk to make him know you are in control but don't send a panic message down the lead by tightening your grip.

For this exercise try swapping your traditional gundog lead for a choke chain and leather lead; this will enable you to deliver the sharp, corrective jerk.

You could try making him focus all his attention on you by undertaking a 'sit and stay' when he sees another dog. In that way you are asserting your control over him, although I admit these theoretical suggestions can be difficult to achieve when your dog is getting agitated.

Your aim should be to get him to concentrate on you and what you want him to do and not what he wants to do. Try and get some friends with their dogs to help you - at least you will then have some control over what happens.

If you feel you need professional help you could consider sending your dog to a trainer or animal behaviourist.

Be careful if you do send him away and make sure he goes to a reputable trainer and not someone who will simply turn his bolshiness into total submissiveness - that can be even more difficult to deal with.

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Comments

Sarah Hayden

March 28 15:24

re: Angela Critchley's comment I have had an aggressive working dog (as well as other gundogs) for 8 years and have managed to work, trial and do agility with him. The reason for the "speak harshly" etc. is not to punish him, but to remind him that you are in control, pay attention to you and he need not take control to defend you. "do not punish him" means do not let him lunge foward, growling and barking and then shout and tell him off without giving him a follow-on command to obey, so that he is only punished - and that will happen every time a dog passes. If you get his attention by "speaking harshly" and then IMMEDIATELY tell him to "sit" saying "good boy" when he does, he then has something to occupy his mind whilst the other dog passes and learns how to behave when other dogs pass. If you merely do nothing, you will have no "non-aggressive gestures" as he will think it is OK to carry on!

angela critchey

January 31 20:37

I am confused after reading your comments regarding handling dog aggression. Initially you say not to punish the dog for being aggressive (usually due to fear!) and then 3 paragraphs later you advise to 'speak harshly' and give a 'short, sharp jerk'. Is this not punishment? In my experience the handler acting aggressive towards the dog in the presance of other dogs only increases the association that dogs are something to be frightened of, thus making the aggression worse! The handler should stay calm and quiet until the outburst ends and reward for non-aggressive gestures, gradually decreasing the distance between the dogs, thus creating a good association around other dogs!

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