How to Train Your Dog to Get Along with Other Dogs

Hello Jeff, Do you know how she does when up close with other dogs? (Don't test this on your own if not sure). Hair standing up is a sign of arousal. Arousal is connected with fighting and aggression but it can also be fue to nervousness or even excitement at times. See if there is a G.R.O.W.L. class anywhere within driving distance of you. These classes are for dog reactive/aggressive dogs, who all wear muzzles and are intensively socialized together in a structured environment. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Cassie, I do suggest hiring a professional trainer who specializes in behavior issues and aggression to help in person and be able to evaluate what the dynamics in the home. I also suggest working on calmly and consistently building pups' respect for the humans in the home. I also suggest teaching both dogs directional commands, like Place, Down, Leave It, and Off, so that the dogs can be told not to resource guard spaces, people, or things, to leave when being pushy or demanding, and to give the other dog space when needed. I suggest feeding and have both dogs sleep in separate locked crates to avoid stress around food and while unsupervised. I also wouldn't allow the dogs to roughhouse and play right now - since times of high arousal - like play, tends to lead to fights, work on both dogs working for what they get at home, simply exist together calmly and give each other space, and practice things like Place on separate dog beds/cots for extended amounts of time. Always be careful when working with any form of aggression to avoid a bite. Many dogs will redirect their aggression to whoever is closest while highly aroused. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Lily, First, see if there is a G.R.O.W.L. class in your area. This is a class for dog reactive and dog aggressive dogs. It is an intensive socialization class where all of the dogs wear basket muzzles for everyone's safety and the dogs are walked together and socialized together to help overcome issues more quickly. Also, work on a very focused, structured heel. Check out the video and article linked below. He needs to start out the walk walking slightly behind you and not in front of you - because in front he cannot focus on you and is scanning the horizon for dogs. Starting out the walk right can make a huge impact on how a dog responds when they do see another dog. Heel article - The turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Heel Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTiKVc4ZZWo I would need more information to help further. If this is leash reactivity - meaning that he does fine with dogs while off leash or once he greets the dogs, then I suggest working on his respect and focus for you and correcting the behavior by keeping him extremely on task walking with you. If this is aggression and he is not alright with dogs in other environments, then you will need to deal with the root of the aggression and determine what type it is. If he is afraid you would work on pairing the presence of other dogs with good things while he was calm, in addition to building his confidence in you. If it is dominance, possessiveness, territorial, or protective, then you would work on building his respect and focus on you and desensitizing him to other dogs through a lot of practice heeling around other dogs from a distance that he can handle, with well timed corrections and well timed praise - there are several different exercises to work on for this. If this is genetic you are going to be looking at high level management since the root of the aggression likely cannot be changed. You would work on increasing his respect and trust for you, desensitizing him to other dogs, and having an advanced level of obedience so that he could respond to you even in the presence of high distractions. Check out Jeff Gellman from SolidK9Training for more details on dealing with aggression. If this is fear aggression, then you could also use a more positive reinforcement approach. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Gayle, You need to hire a trainer who specializes in aggression and has access to other trainers on staff and well behaved dogs to practice around. Because of her strength it will be difficult for you to implement the training on your own so I suggest getting in person help. Look into Sean O'Shea from the Good Dog, and Jeff Gellman from SolidK9Training on YouTube. I still suggest hiring a trainer to help you though. Aggression is one of the things that often requires professional help. Many things can be taught on your own, but aggression often benefits from having assistance from someone who deals with it often, comes well recommended, and has the resources like other dogs, to practice the methods around. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Chanae, First, you need to honestly evaluate whether she was the initiator of the fights, or if it was only your dog that you re-homed. If the other dog was the only one constantly starting issues, you may be able to add another dog but life with both dogs probably will never be able to look relaxed and unstructured because of her history. I know of others with dog reactive dogs who are able to add a second dog but you need to first work through your dog's general issues being around other dogs, which will probably involve working with a training group that specializes in aggression and reactivity and who has access to a lot of other dogs to work on desensitizing her. You will need to work on the resource guarding before adding another dog. Her life will need to be really structured, meaning she needs to heel with a lot of focus on you and walking slightly behind you on every walk (and not be allowed to scan the horizon looking for other dogs), she needs to wait for permission before eating, be fed in a closed crate, be crated trained, be able to do a 2 hour Place or Down-Stay command, know Leave It, Out, Come, and be very responsive to commands around high distractions, like other dogs running past. When you have established that level of respect, trust, focus on you, and obedience, then you can ease into introducing another dog by having Molly rotate between being on Place, in a crate, or on a structured heeling walk around the other dog - no freedom around the other dog at this point, only structured activities together with a high level of focus and management from you. Both dogs should be fed in closed separate crates to prevent resource guarding and stress around food, and toys carefully chosen and controlled when they have what. A household with a dog aggressive dog is possible but it will never look like a household with two dog-social dogs, and the Yorkie is small enough that it could easily be killed during a fight, and being bullied by another dog will cause a second dog to become fear-aggressive too - continuing the cycle. After a couple of years of careful management and structure with both dogs, they may become accepting and trusting enough of each other and respectful enough of your rules, that they can have more freedom with each other (always supervised still though). This often happens when things are managed carefully enough for long enough, but there are no guarantees that things will be able to be more relaxed. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Taylor, It sounds like he may associate other dogs with the highly aroused state he was always in around them, where the dogs have to be a bit defensive, competitive, and overly-excited. Over-arousal can lead to fighting and frustration. You want him learn to associate dogs with something calm and pleasant, and not something really exciting or frustrating. He needs to practice heeling around other dogs from a distance, a high level Place command around other dogs also in Place, and a lot of other obedience where his focus is on you and the other dogs are just background information but not something he is supposed to be focusing on; to do this, his focus on you and respect and trust for you need to increase a lot, then you can gradually work up to getting him around other dogs while doing something structured like heeling, with the dogs in the distance. As he improves, you can decrease the distance between them and add more movement from the other dogs. Check out Jeff Gellman from solidK9Training. He specializes in aggression, fear and similar behavior problems and has hundreds of videos on Youtube. Sean O'Shea from the Good Dog also has several great videos, as well as The Canine Educator based in New York state. Aggression and reactivity can be harder to treat yourself and you will need a lot of volunteers with their own calm dogs to serve as dogs in the background while doing this. You also need someone to show you how correct effectively (avoiding a bite, the right level of correction, the right timing, and correcting the looking for dogs and tensing up to get his attention back onto you and off the dogs before a big outburst, ect...), and someone to show you what your attitude and body language needs to be like - very calm and confident, not anxious, angry, or overly excited. Because he doesn't have a bite history and hasn't drawn blood as far as you have mentioned you may be able to tackle his needs on your own if you have enough people with calm dogs willing to help you and you are able to do the research needed to understand how to do the training by watching tons of videos - but this will be a ton easier if you hire a trainer who specializes in behavior problems and trains similar to the trainers in the videos mentioned above, using mostly positive reinforcement but also a ton of structure, obedience, and boundaries, and the right about of corrections where needed to break through to the dog so they can be open to learning something better. Avoid trainers who use alpha rolls and extreme dominance type training. Effective corrections and structure aren't the same as pinning a dog to the ground just to make a point. Also, avoid those who do not have a lot of experience with aggression, many trainers only focus on obedience in class type settings (which is fine for those who need obedience, but not what you need and won't help on it's own). Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Maribeth, Check out the articles and videos linked below to work on her respect and responsiveness to you - which is the first step. It sounds like it may be fear-aggression but other types of aggression commonly surface around 1-2 years so you may have something else going on too. With fear and other types of aggression you want her to feel like she can depend on you to handle situations that make her nervous, and listen to commands related to how she should behave around other dogs. Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omg5DVPWIWo Crate manners: https://thegooddog.net/training-videos/free-how-to-training-videos/learn-to-train-the-good-dog-way-the-crate/ Thresholds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-w28C2g68M Heel article - The turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Heel Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTiKVc4ZZWo Dog Training Do’s https://www.solidk9training.com/sk9-blog/2016/09/08/the-ten-commandments-of-dog-training-and-ownership-do-2 1-2 years is a common age for aggression or fear related behaviors to surface because of the dog's mental and sexual maturity around then...protectiveness, fear-aggression, territorial behavior, possessiveness, dominance issues, and reactivity are a few common things that can pop up for some dogs during that time - it's often related to the dog's genetic personality, the type of leadership you provide, the dog's socialization level, competing with other animals, and instincts. Check out Jeff Gellman from SolidK9Training on YouTube, he has hundreds of videos on aggression and fear. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Megan, Honestly, I wouldn't ever let him play off leash with other dogs again. His lack of socialization as a puppy, lack of impulse control exhibited when he redirected aggression onto another dog, and size honestly makes it unsafe for him - possibly forever. However, that doesn't mean you can't socialize him in another way. I highly suggest hiring a trainer who uses balanced training - including a lot of positive reinforcement in addition to some fair corrections, who comes well recommended by previous clients, and who is very experienced with e-collars. Due to his size, I highly recommend e-collar training his obedience after teaching it initially in a fenced in area using a long leash - which you will let drag most of the time to avoid being pulled over. Once he has some obedience and an e-collar intermediate level, practice his obedience with other dogs in the background, such as at parks and outside dog parks (not inside). Join an obedience class (even though he already knows the tasks at that point) and have him practice his obedience commands around other dogs. You can also create your own practice group with friends who are wanting to train their dogs. The goal is for him to perform calm, structured activities in the presence of other dogs - not to necessarily even greet them and not to play. Use the Passing Approach and Walking together methods from the article linked below to introduce him to other, calm dogs, one by one. When he does well with a variety of other dogs, join a dog walking or dog hiking groups through a local obedience club, social group like meetup.com, or start your own with friends. A structured heeling walk is a great way to socialize dogs together because their adrenaline is lower, they feel happy, they are more focused on you and the walk (if required to heel) and not on competing with each other, and it stimulates them physically - relieving tension. Wrestling with other dogs can increase arousal and adrenaline and make fight more likely. Heeling is calming when structured. https://wagwalking.com/training/greet-other-dogs Because of your dog's size, obedience training with a professional using the e-collar needs to come first though. Solid obedience will help with management in general so that you can then practice things around other dogs without as much risk. Check out James Penrith from Take the Lead dog training on YouTube to learn more about e-collar training, also called remote collar training. Only every use a high quality e-collar and the person training needs to know a lot about training with e-collars before beginning (whether you learn a lot or hire someone). You absolutely should not put the collar on your dog and just start pushing buttons. There is a very specific way to train to make them safe and effective at the correct level, without stressing the dog more than other methods. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Christina, See if there is a G.R.O.W.L. class in your area. A G.R.O.W.L. class is a class for dog-aggressive or dog-reactive dogs, where the dogs are intensively socialized together while wearing basket muzzles, using structured exercises, more quickly. I wouldn't make your pup being able to run and play with other dogs the goal, but with professional help, would pursue pup being able to do things like go on structured walks, practice obedience, and calmly be around other dogs - things that keep dogs' arousal level low and calm, to make aggression more manageable and help dogs co-exist better. This is something that generally takes a lot of dedication and time to work towards from the dog's owner. A G.R.O.W.L. class could be a great way to get there a bit sooner if you can find one. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Susan, I suggest teaching her Out and using the How to Deal with Pushy behavior section of that article also once she has learned what out means. Practice Out with her around your own dog, telling her Out as soon as she is unmannerly, then you enforcing the command using the pushy behavior section of that article. Out: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ I also suggest playing "Jazz Up, Settle Down" with her. To play, get her excited with you, then suddenly give a command she knows well, like Sit, and then freeze. Stay frozen until she calms down and Sits - this is going to take her a few minutes at first. Repeat the command calmly one time after 2 minutes - if you think she has forgotten what's going on. When she sits, give a treat and calmly praise, then tell her "Okay, go play!" And resume playing. Practice this red light, green light game often. At first only get her a bit excited before giving the command - so that she CAN obey. As she improves, get her more and more excited before giving the command - so that she has to calm herself more and more. Only add more excitement when she gets to the point during practice where she can instantly obey - at that point make it harder and practice until she can instantly obey then too - then make it even more exciting, ect... During a walk, I suggest not greeting other dogs nose to nose for a while - you are headed for leash reactivity potentially. Instead, intentionally work on socializing her around other dogs in structured ways. Practice obedience command like Down-Stay and Heeling around other dogs - recruit friends who also want to practice with their dogs and create your own obedience practice class or join an intermediate obedience class. Check out the Passing Approach and Walking Together methods from the article linked below. Practice those methods with pup and friends with well behaved dogs. The goal is to desensitize her to other dogs and for her to learn to be calm around other dogs - you want other dogs to be pleasant but boring to her - not exciting playmates right now. Passing Approach and Walking Together methods: https://wagwalking.com/training/greet-other-dogs A structured wall is also super important for pup. Turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel More heeling: https://youtu.be/EcwvUOf5oOg If there is a local meetup.com or obedience club group that does structured heeling walks or hikes with dogs, that could be a fun and good way to socialize her more calmly. You want her focused on you and heeling behind you, learning to ignore the dogs around her (not greet every one), and just enjoy walking next to them. It becomes more of a working co-existing relationship between the dogs and is a good place to practice focus on you and respect for you around dogs - which can help and is needed. Keep in mind how service dogs behave around other dogs. They are extremely well socialized and play with other puppies while little, but then their socialization looks like calmly co-existing around other dogs as they mature. That's what she needs to prevent leash reactivity - learning structured, calm co-existance. That doesn't mean she can never play, but the emphasis needs to be on calmness now until she learns that, then calmness should be the norm with occasional play with the right dogs off leash (if you want to let her - it's not necessary). On leash is hard for almost all dogs to varying degrees though. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello, First, I do suggest hiring a professional trainer who specializes in behavior issues and aggression and comes well recommended by clients, to help in person with this. You need to know what the dogs' body language is around each other and be able to observe subtle signs that the dogs are resource guarding people, places or things, or perhaps one bullying and intimidating the other, and the second one reacting defensively. It might not be obvious until a dog has pushed it too far and triggered a fight, but could be going on often, and needing to also be addressed right when there are subtle signs for you to learn to pick up on - if not already doing so. Additionally, I would work on building trust and respect for you so that they are not making and enforcing rules for each other, but looking to you to do so. You want to add in a lot more structure and boundaries for now, working on things like the working method linked below, teaching both a 2 hour long Place, directional commands like Off, Out (which means leave the area), Down, Leave It, and Off, so that you can tell them where they should and should not be in relation to being pushy with you or bullying each other, and both should be crate trained. Working and Consistency methods: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-doberman-to-listen-to-you Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omg5DVPWIWo Crate manners: https://thegooddog.net/training-videos/free-how-to-training-videos/learn-to-train-the-good-dog-way-the-crate/ Thresholds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-w28C2g68M Down-Stay: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/train-your-labrador-to-lie-down-and-stay/ Leave It: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Out - which means leave the room: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Keep a drag leash on the dogs when you are present if they won't listen to your directional commands once learned well. Calmly lead the dogs where you told them to go as needed by picking up the end of the leash. If you see any signs of aggression toward you, pause and get professional help to deal with aggression toward you also. Training will likely need to be mortified to take extra precautions to keep you safe. Don't risk a bite. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Chandler, First, I highly suggest crate training the puppy. Almost all puppies will cry the first two weeks of crate training - it is new to them and they have to be given the opportunity to learn to self-sooth and self-entertain to prepare them for environments they will have to be in later and prevent dangerous destructive chewing habits that happen without confinement. Use the Surprise method from the article linked below to gradually help him learn to be calm in the crate and to relax by using rewards for being Quiet. https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate Once pup is crate trained then life with both dogs can be a lot easier for everyone. Crate pup at night and when you leave, and you can use an exercise pen with some toys in it also. When you cannot directly supervise the dogs together, puppy should be crated or in the pen. When you are supervising, teach both dogs the Out command (which means leave the area) and make whoever is causing issues leave the area as needed. Out command: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Decide what your house rules are for both dogs and you be the one to enforce the rules instead of the dogs. No aggression, no pushiness, no stealing toys, no stealing food, no being possessive of people or things, no bothering another dog when they want to be left alone, or any other unwanted behavior - if one dog is causing a problem you be the one to enforce the rules so that the dogs are NOT working it out themselves. For example, if pup comes over to your older dog when she is trying to sleep, tell pup Out. If puppy obeys, praise and reward him. If he disobeys, stand in front of your older dog, blocking the pup from getting to her, and walk toward pup calmly but firmly until pup leaves the area and stops trying to go back to your older dog. If your older dog growls at your pup, make her leave the room while also disciplining pup for antagonizing if needed. Be vigilant and take the pressure off of your older dog - you want her to learn to look to you when there is a problem, and for puppy to learn respect for your older dog because you have taught it to him and not because your older dog has had to resort to aggression or she has to hide all the time. If you want pup to be free but don't want to chase after him while you are home, you can also clip him to yourself using a six-foot leash, so that he has to stay near you and not wander near your other dog. Whenever puppy enters the room, give your older dog a treat while pup is not looking. Whenever she is calm, relaxed or tolerant of puppy also give her a treat. Try not to let puppy see you rewarding her though so that he doesn’t run over and overwhelm her. Right now your older dog probably needs to feel like you are the one managing puppy, protecting your older dog from him pestering her, and making his appearance pleasant for your older dog. If you can take the pressure off of their relationship and help their interactions to be calmer, then she may adjust to puppy's presence as he grows, especially when he calms down when older. If your older dog is guarding you from puppy, being pushy, or displaying other behavior issues, work on building her respect for you also. Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omg5DVPWIWo Thresholds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-w28C2g68M Heel article - The turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Working method and Consistency method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-doberman-to-listen-to-you Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Julie, No, I would not allow the growling - it's actually a huge issue around Service Dogs because many people are depend on their service dogs to keep them safe and alert to important medical issues. If a service dog is distracted by another dog displaying aggression, it could put the dog's handler in danger because that dog is less likely to be doing their job well and is stressed. You might have been in a pet store or feed store, but be sure that you are not taking pup into any stores where civilian dogs are not allowed as it's illegal. With that said, it sounds like pup is being possessive of you and reactive toward the other dogs - this isn't the type of protectiveness you want. It's generally an issue with pup not respecting you and lacking socialization around other dogs while young. See if there is a G.R.O.W.L. class anywhere in your area. A G.R.O.W.L. class is a class for dog aggressive and dog reactive dogs who are all intensively socializes together in a shorter amount of time to help them overcome their issues with other dogs. It's often a very positive and structured environment which can be really good for pups. Second, work on building pup's respect for you. I suggest teaching pup the following commands and having him work for everything he gets for a while -by him having to do a command first. These are gentle ways to build pup's respect. He may even be happier with having more to do and more structure - adding structure can help with things like anxiety too. Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omg5DVPWIWo Crate manners: https://thegooddog.net/training-videos/free-how-to-training-videos/learn-to-train-the-good-dog-way-the-crate/ Thresholds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-w28C2g68M Heel article - The turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Heel Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTiKVc4ZZWo Working and Consistency methods: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-doberman-to-listen-to-you Also, don't tolerate any pushy behavior from pup right now - no nudging, barking at you, guarding things, or being pushy. If pup does any of those things have pup leave the room using the Out command. https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Paul, I highly suggest hiring a trainer to work with you on this if you are having issues this early. If you work on this early, pup can likely overcome it, but it becomes harder to overcome the longer you wait. Depending on the details of how pup isn't getting along with other dogs will effect the course of action. If pup is just shy, I highly suggest joining a puppy play group or kindergarden class that has time for off-leash, moderated puppy play under the supervision of the trainer. Pup will likely hide under your chair the first couple of weeks but typically curiosity will get the better of them and they will gradually start socializing with some of the lower key puppies in the class and get over their fears - which is very important for preventing fear aggression later. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Thanks for the question. You've worked with a trainer before and know how beneficial and helpful that can be - good for you for helping Daisy in this way. If she needs brushing up on her basic commands, take her through the next level of obedience so that she can get even more comfortable and responsive to what you ask. The methods in this guide may work very well with Daisy since she is not acting out every time she passes a dog. https://wagwalking.com/training/greet-other-dogs As well, can you join a walking group in your area that has a variety of dogs on its roster and a trainer that is experienced with group dynamics? Ask your vet for a recommendation. Other suggestions can be found here:https://wagwalking.com/training/be-calm-around-other-dogs. All the best as you train Daisy!

Hello, I suggest checking out Jeff Gellman from solidK9Training on YouTube. I also suggest seeing looking for a G.R.O.W.L. class in your area, which is a class for dog reactive/aggressive dogs, who are all intensively socialized together while wearing basket muzzles in a structured environment. Working on commands to build pup's respect and trust for you can often help with reactivity and anxiety as well. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-doberman-to-listen-to-you Out - which means leave the area: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Leave It method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Quiet method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Place command: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s Down-Stay: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/train-your-labrador-to-lie-down-and-stay/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Eden, I suggest adding a couple of other things to what you are currently working on with your trainer. Practice the Passing Approach and then Walking Together methods from the article I have linked below, specifically with the family dog - so often that the other dog becomes boring eventually and they can finally walk together. Continue to practice general things on walks around strange dogs, but you want that specific dog to become normal even before pup can tolerate other dogs as a whole. https://wagwalking.com/training/greet-other-dogs Work on desensitizing pup to the noises and smells and other triggers that they associate with the dog being on the floor above them. Check out the barking- desensitization videos below. One of the videos talks about desensitizing to guests, but you will use the same principles with hearing the other dog's bark, walking around up stairs, and smells where he has been. Video 1: https://youtu.be/Jp_l9C1yT1g Video 2: https://youtu.be/X5BjvNScFPs Video 3 - guests: https://youtu.be/bpzvqN9JNUA When dog training classes resume throughout the country, I also recommend finding a G.R.O.W.L. class - which is a class for dog aggressive or dog reactive dogs, who all wear basket muzzles for safety during class and are then rapidly socialized with each other in a structured environment under the guidance of the trainer. Finally, check out Thomas from the Canine Educator on YouTube. He specializes in behavior issues like aggression and has a number of free videos where you can learn more about aggression and training on that YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/user/AmericasCanineED Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Kathryn, I suggest recruiting some friends, neighbors with dog-friendly dogs, or finding a local obedience club, rescue or meetup group that does group dog walks or hikes together. Practice the Passing Approach method from the article linked below to initially desensitize her to some friend's dogs, then use the Walking Together method once she is doing better to get her walking with other dogs - slowly closing in the distance as she gets calmer. The structure of the walk will help with the dominance and reactivity. The endorphins and pleasant association of walking and having a "job" around other dogs will help her associate them with good things again, without increasing the adrenaline and arousal usually present during rough play. Passing Approach and Walking Together methods: https://wagwalking.com/training/greet-other-dogs Once her overall attitude around other dogs is happy and calm again, even with new dogs, you can transition to play dates and see how she does. Some dogs do better playing just one on one with certain dogs or specific personalities and by doing structured activities with other dogs - like the walks. Others are fine in a larger group. Start with the heeling structured walks, then you can see whether she needs to keep it structured or you can reintroduce group play again. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Alyssa, First, see if there is a G.R.O.W.L. class in your area and attend that if so when it becomes an option again with social distancing situations. A G.R.O.W.L. class is a class for dog reactive or dog aggressive dogs, who all wear basket muzzles and are intensively socialized together in a structured environment to help desensitize them to other dogs more quickly. All of this should take place under the guidance of a qualified G.R.O.W.L. instructor. Second, a good way to do introductions with other dogs is to recruit friends with calm dogs and use the Passing Approach and the Walking together methods from the article linked below. Start with the Passing Approach method and work on that method until pup can stay calm during each pass. At that point switch to the Walking Together method. After a few practice session of this, when the dogs can calmly walk side by side finally, take pups on walks together with both in a structured, focused heel. This gives both dogs something other than each other to focus on, keeps their energy calm, and helps them associate each other with the pleasant experience of a walk. Repeat this with lots of different dogs, one or two dogs at a time - you want other dogs to be associated with calmness, pleasant experiences, and boring things - not roughhousing, wrestling, nose-to-nose interactions always, or being rushed by them. https://wagwalking.com/training/greet-other-dogs Sometimes you can even find others to practice with through obedience clubs, meetup groups, or hiking groups. When he does greet another dog nose-to-nose, give slack in the leash, relax yourself, and keep the greeting to a max of 3 seconds, then happily tell him "Let's Go" or "Heel" and start walking away, giving him a treat when he follows so that he will learn to quickly respond to that command in the future. Keeping the greeting relaxed and short can diffuse tension and give the dogs enough time to say hi before competing starts. Avoid dogs that don't respect his space, pull their owners over to him, and generally are not listening well - those dogs are often friendly but they are rude and difficult for a nervous dog. Telling an owner that your dog is in training, is often a good polite way to request the dogs not meet. Also, avoid greeting dogs who look very tense around your dog, who stare him down, who give warning signs like a low growl or lip lift, who look very puffed up and proud - that type greeting with a dog is likely to end in a fight since your dog doesn't know how to diffuse that situation. A stiff wag is also a bad sign. A friendly wag looks relaxed and loose with relaxed body language overall. A tense dog with a very stiff wag, especially with a tail held high is a sign of arousal and not always a good thing. Before you allow pup off leash, also work on teaching pup a reliable off-leash come and off-leash heel so that you can call pup to your side to heel when another dog is ahead. Come and the PreMack Principle: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/train-dog-to-come-when-called/ Reel In method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-whippet-to-recall An off-leash heel is generally started just like a normal leashed heel, then as pup improves you practice the heel on a long leash so that pup is following because they are paying attention to you and not dependent on the leash - but you can use the leash to guide back when needed and prevent pup from disobeying and having inconsistent training. Once pup can heel in places like your neighborhood on the long leash, then also go places where other dogs are walking around and practice the long leash heel around other dogs - with pup learning to ignore other dogs unless told to "Say Hi". I personally prefer starting with a normal weight long training leash - like what you see online and in most pet stores, then going to an extremely light weight but strong one when pup is almost ready for complete off-leash work. Since your dog is smaller, you could probably start with the light-weight one too. The light weight helps the training transfer to off-leash better since pup is less aware of a leash being on them prior to taking it off completely. Whenever pup starts not coming or heeling again well, snap the leash back on for a month and do a refresher training course to deal with any issues - the refresher shouldn't take nearly as long as the initial training but at some point most dogs will test ignoring you again and need the refresher. Heel article - The turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Owen, I suggest looking for a G.R.O.W.L. class in your area, which is a class for dog reactive/aggressive dogs, who all wear basket muzzles and are intensively socialized together in a structured environment. I do suggest working with a trainer for this, especially since many dogs will redirect their aggression to whoever is closest while aroused - and pup may bite you if that happens. I also suggest working on the structure of your walk. You want pup to be working during the walk - having to stay behind you, focus on you, perform commands periodically, and not have his mind on scanning the area in search of other dogs. The walk should start with him having to exit your home very calmly, performing obedience commands at the door if he isn't calm. He should wait for permission ("Okay" or "Free" or "Let's Go") before going through the door instead of bolting through if that's an issue. When you walk he should be in the heel position - with his head behind your leg. That position decreases his arousal, reduces stress because he isn't the one in charge and the one encountering things first. It prevents him from scanning for other dogs, staring dogs down or being stared down, and ignoring you behind him. It also requires him to be in a more submissive, structured, focused, calmer mindset - which has a direct effect on how aroused, stressed, and aggressive he is - it makes him feel like the responsibility is on your shoulders not his around other dogs. Additionally, when you do pass other dogs, as soon as he starts staring them down, interrupt him. Don't tolerate challenging stares at other dogs. Remind him with a fair correction that you are leading the walk and he is not allowed to break his heel or stare another dog down. It is far easier to deal with reactivity when you interrupt a dog early in the process - before they are highly aroused and full of adrenaline and cortisol, and to keep the dog in a less aroused/calmer state to begin with. This also makes the walk more pleasant for him in the long-run. When pup passes other dogs and stays calm, reward the calm body language. Do not reward while tense and acting aggressive though, look for calm. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello, I would consider this carefully. You will have to put a lot of time and effort into training this dog - with no guarantee of success. Do you know much about her? Has she had aggressive contact with other dogs before? If it is just a growling, unsociable problem you may be able to change that. But unless you have a clear idea of what you are getting into, I would wait and think it over. First, look into trainers in your immediate area who are used to working with dogs that do not get along with others. Remember, you have to have the time (and money) to invest. I do appreciate that you are trying to help a dog in need - but just imagine how different things will be for you for example, if you adopt a needy dog who is super friendly and one you can take everywhere with you. That is much more rewarding and less stressful. A friendly dog needs you just as much as a dog who has issues. I hope this helps!

Max is very handsome! You're best bet is to teach him the off command - most dogs catch on quickly. Here are guides to read: https://wagwalking.com/training/stop-counter-surfing The Create an Alternative Method. https://wagwalking.com/training/stay-off-the-couch-unless-invited: The Command for Off Method. https://wagwalking.com/training/stay-off-the-furniture The Spot Method. Also obedience train Max in all of his basic commands and if he is trained already, brush up on them. Help him learn to listen to you: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-doberman-to-listen-to-you The Consistency Method is excellent. Lots of reading for you and many helpful tips. Good luck!

Hello Leanne, You would need to work on her issues with other dogs in general first, before I would attempt to add a puppy safely. See if there is a G.R.O.W.L. class in your area. That class is a class for dog reactive/aggression dogs, who all wear basket muzzles for safety and are intensively socialized more safely and quickly in a structured environment. If pup was able to overcome her aggression in general, then adding a new puppy would also involve a lot of management, boundaries, and safety measures still. Both would need to be crate trained, taught directional commands like Out, Place, and Leave It. Interactions would always need to be supervised and the dogs crated when not supervised, or puppy in an exercise pen. You would need to be the ones to provide clear boundaries and rules at home for both dogs - like no aggression, no guarding things, no pestering another when they want to be left alone, no stealing toys, ect...and be the ones to enforce that rules and not expect or allow the dogs to. Dog reactive dogs can get to the point where they can live with another, but it requires a whole lot of careful management and training honestly. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden