Hello, If there are multiple adults in your home, taking the dogs on a walk together, with space between them by having one person hold the new dog's leash and the other person handle one or both of the other dogs, can help dogs bond in a less confrontational way. Make sure these walks are structured and the dogs heeling and paying attention to you and not competing to be in front or giving hard stares at each other. I would keep separate when not training while in the home together for the moment. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Nov. 29, 2023

Hello, I am very sorry that that is happening to you. Although their dog might not struggle with aggression, many do, and that's a difficult and scary situation for those whose dogs do, when others approach uninvited. I would work on desensitizing your dog to the presence of other dogs. Do this carefully, with barriers like fences or secure leashes on both dogs practicing, and possibly a basket muzzle if needed - which is to be introduced ahead of time using treats so its not an additional source of stress for your dog. If you can manage your dog on leash safely when another is also on leash, then check out the Passing Approach method from the article I have linked below. I recommend avoiding the final greeting in the steps though. Your goal will just be to get your dog alright with another dog passing by more closely initially. It would be helpful to practice a calm greeting eventually, but for that I recommend the use of a basket muzzle, lots of desensitizing to simply passing the dog until that doesn't bother your dog, and a professional trainer with aggression experience and a really well trained dog to practice under the supervision too. Passing Approach method - minus the final greeting, and only if it can be done safely, with either a trainer and their dogs, or those you know with well mannered safe dogs. https://wagwalking.com/training/greet-other-dogs Check out this video channel to learn more about desensitizing. Avoid up close interactions without a basket muzzle and professional oversight for safety reasons though, barriers can help facilitate safe ways to train if used correctly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n_fPKPLA2g Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

April 4, 2023

Hello Mishael, I highly recommend hiring a professional trainer to help you in person with this. First, pup needs to be evaluated to determine what type(s) of aggression are present. For example a dog who is fearful is trained a bit differently than a dog who has learned to use aggression to get what they want or a dog who is acting possessive of something. It sounds like pup is probably using aggression to get their way, is a bit fearful, and lacks impulse control and tolerance. Often treating aggression involves building the dog's general trust and respect for you and those who live with you, through things like having pup work for everything they get in life by asking pup to obey a command like Sit before you give them anything. It involves giving pup a lot more boundaries and rules to follow to build structure and predictability into their routine and help them make better choices. Often a basket muzzle is introduced gradually using food rewards so that pup can wear that to keep you safe when interacting with pup, until things improve. If pup has a low tolerance of something or fear, like the dogs, kids, and strangers, then pup would also be desensitized and counter conditioned to what they are unsure about using food rewards to reward pup for good responses, very gradually increasing his exposure to whatever he dislikes right now. This would need to be done with proper safety measures like a back tie leash or basket muzzle in all situations, to ensure pup couldn't get to the other person or dog. Those practicing around pup should also know what they are doing around aggressive dogs - like training staff pup doesn't know yet pretending to be strangers around pup, and practicing counter conditioning, and the training staff's well trained dogs being used to train around for the dog aggression. If pup lacks impulse control, then you would also work on commands that specifically help pup increase their level of control over themselves gradually. There may be other specific things that need to be addressed as well. Look for a trainer who specializes in behavior issues like aggression and fear. Since pup is aggressive toward strangers and other dogs too, you will need a trainer who works with a team of trainers and/or has access to other well mannered dogs, like the trainers' dogs so that the training can be practiced around a variety of people and other dogs, to help pup generalize what they are learning to people and dogs in general, and not just the trainer and yourself. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

June 29, 2022