Leash Aggression in 7 month old puppy
Hello all,
I have two corgis, one a few years old and mild-mannered (Xylophone), the other a feisty and sweet 7 month old (Gyro).
Background: I generally take them on walks together. Right now we live in an apartment building that is in a weird, rural area, so I can only take them around the grounds where we might see a few other dogs with people, people walking to their cars, and maybe one or two cars passing by.
Gyro is a super-sweet little guy. He loves the dog park and is great with the dogs and people he sees there. He rarely ever barks and he goes around flirting with everyone. But when he's on the leash and sees people or other dogs he almost always freaks out--barking, lunging, even growling. If he gets close enough to say hello (person or dog) he acts just super excited and friendly (little stub wagging, etc.). It's gotten to the point that people who haven't interacted with him directly think he's mean. It's also really annoying to have him lunging at people while I'm trying to hold onto both him and X (who sometimes joins in on the barking, but kind of half-heartedly). G has also started barking and lunging at cars. He does this even if I have just him.
I have tried telling him "Quiet" and distracting him with treats (getting them both to sit, etc). This only works sometimes (usually it just means X is sitting there quietly waiting for his treat while G is going nuts). I don't really know what else to do. I have to have them on the leash every time they go outside because of apartment rules, but I sometimes dread going out because I know that G will be a pill. I would love some ideas or thoughts on this. Thanks!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on
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Have you looked into classes? It is the best $ you can spend if you find a positive instructor. Also check out some of the Nothing In Life Is Free web sites for ideas. Teaching basic commands such as sit and down will help change this behavior.
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Permalink Reply by Anna Morelli on
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As Beth says, a class can be of great help. For now, however, I would make sure they have a well fitted buckle collar and, if I saw a situation where the barking might start, or if it had started already, I would stop immediately, kneel down on their level, put my hand firmly in the collar of G. ( if X is quiet, a short leash will be enough for her) and make it clear I will not accept out of control behavior. I would not use treats. The pup has to understand that you are the one to set the limits and he is the one who needs to comply. This requires consistency on your part, you cannot send mixed messages or make excuses for him if you want it to work. Easier to nip it at this age than a few months down the road. It's always harder to deal with two dogs at the same time, but you can do it, just make sure they don't topple you over!
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Permalink Reply by hannah on
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Thanks for the feedback, Bev & Anna. We were in a puppy obedience class, but it got cancelled midway through and I haven't been able to start up again. I will try kneeling down as a way to control G and get his attention in these situations--hopefully that will help. I think he just never really got used to the leash, so maybe more direct discipline, practice walking just with him, and obedience classes later on will help. Thanks again.
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