Need advice with aggressive actions please!

[PrepH4U]

I would really like some advice or recommendations from those that have dealt with this kind of aggressive behavior.
Let me give you some background:
We have a bloodhound and a maltese in the house along with
a 2 1/2 year old male Old english sheepdog who has been with us as since a puppy. He is un-neutered, we also have a 2yr old female OES. I have always had dogs in my house, be they purebred rotties, or adopted rescues. So we are not new to dogs with quirks or issues. What I have never encountered is a male that has become very aggressive with everyone except the female OES. When he try's to tease her she puts him in his place.
We have been through 3 inheat's with her and him and he has never shown aggression towards us or the other dogs. The female (brie) is getting very close to becomming inseason again and Bosley has increased his aggression towards the other dogs daily. Recently that aggression has turned towards us. He does not attack the female, but has is in for the little maltese. We have gotten to the point where we have to keep them seperated for the safety of the little maltese. He started by just ramming him with his nose to scare him, today he went after his throat.(this happened by sitting down the maltese to set something down w/in 20 seconds) After the attacks - we yell at bosley and tell him to get in his crate (which is his timeout) well now he comes charging back at us.
He had tried to bite my hubby before, but, we had blown it of as an alpha incident. Now when I say bite, i don't mean breaking skin or even leaving a mark. But you do feel the pressure as it is like a warning.
He had never shown aggression to me ever as I had established my alpha status when he was a pup. That is all changing rapidly now, he is challenging even my status. The other night he turned around and got my leg as I was following him and telling him to get in his crate. He no longer fears me holding the magazine that I have had to threatened with lately.
We have never had an un-neutered male, (please no lectures on breeding and adopting).
Have any of you that do have unaltered dogs experienced something similiar when the hormones are raging? He is a very loving member of our family and I need some advice and suggestions please. If you think this aggressive behavior is due to hormones? We only planned on having one litter with these two, and I know they are very close to show time. When brie had her last heat, bos had hurt his foot after all the practice runs. Needless to say he was unable to perform, when she wanted him. Would you try and wait it out until after the deed or neuter him now? I know most of this behavior is probably brought on by the hormones do any of you think it could be anything else besides that? Thanks

In the pic of them together bos is on the right

 

[Kizzy]

Cute dogs and I'm sure H6 and Catt will be along later to give some insight, both have a lot of experience with animals.

Right now, I'm having problems with an aggressive cat kicking my dog's ass all the time. I think I have a Pit Bull in a cat suit.

 

[PrepH4U]

Cute dogs and I'm sure H6 and Catt will be along later to give some insight, both have a lot of experience with animals.

Right now, I'm having problems with an aggressive cat kicking my dog's ass all the time. I think I have a Pit Bull in a cat suit.

Thanks Kizzy, I am really concerned about him and the maltese. They used to be best buddies, but the little guy is so scared now he starts shaking and quivering whenever he just sees him.
Your cat sounds like my kind of cat! We had a black cat once take out a visiting black lab, backed him right out of the house! Poor dog didn't know what was up!

 

[kwillia]

. As for the going after you...I think you know me enough with the horses to know what I would do. If I posted it I think I would get booted...

I had a friend that had the same problem. She had to re-establish her alpha role. The next sign of aggression, she punched him in the head, and followed up with a LOUD shout. No more problems after that. :shrug:

 

[pvineswinger]

Have you tried exercising him more? Sometimes dogs get agressive when they are bored. I had a Doberman who used to nip at me if I didn't exercise him enough. He was only 1 1/2 yrs- still a puppy by large breed standards, so he had a TON of energy. I would take him for a jog, or a walk or throw a ball for him in the back yard and he settled down afterwards.
It can't hurt. :shrug:

 

[Kain99]

I'm not sure why your baby is acting like this but...... I had a friend who raised Tigers and she would use a squirt gun filled with a strong mix of yellow vinegar and water. Over time they learned to be docile.

It's an idea...

 

[virgovictoria]

My two cents... I think it is very important to maintain your position as alpha - as the priority in your man's best friend relationship. This is not just for the sake of keeping peaceful waters at times like this, including safety among humans and other pets alike, but also for their own safety when the time comes when they REALLY need to be able to listen.

Hormones, nature's instinct and so on will make an animal behave like, well, an animal...

As for me, I have a history with male Huskies - which I feel gives some credence into what I can share.. Being pack animals and having to have to have a position, we had to establish our role as alpha... We did submissive training and such and as they grew older and acted out - like your guy, we would literally have to pick them up, throw them on their back and bite them.

It never, and I never, would hurt them, only speak to them in their language to let them know that their behavior was not acceptable.

 

[Kain99]

As for me, I have a history with male Huskies - like your guy, we would literally have to pick them up, throw them on their back and bite them.

That is probably the kinkiest thing I have ever heard!



j/k

 

[virgovictoria]

That is probably the kinkiest thing I have ever heard!



j/k

 

[Kizzy]

That is probably the kinkiest thing I have ever heard!



j/k

I agree with what VV is saying. It sounds crazy, but I've done it. It was the way my dad trained our dogs, and it worked.

I've been lucky with the animals I have had and I always gotten tons of compliments on my dog’s behavior. I had a very well behaved lab for 10-years, but when he was a puppy, he pushed the envelope a few times, and I had to show him who was the dominant one.

 

[jazz lady]

We have had husky and husky mixes, and I will guarantee I've never found a more hard-headed animal. But once you "get their attention" and establish who is dominant, you will never find a better companion.

 

[PrepH4U]

My two cents... I think it is very important to maintain your position as alpha - as the priority in your man's best friend relationship. This is not just for the sake of keeping peaceful waters at times like this, including safety among humans and other pets alike, but also for their own safety when the time comes when they REALLY need to be able to listen.

Hormones, nature's instinct and so on will make an animal behave like, well, an animal...

As for me, I have a history with male Huskies - which I feel gives some credence into what I can share.. Being pack animals and having to have to have a position, we had to establish our role as alpha... We did submissive training and such and as they grew older and acted out - like your guy, we would literally have to pick them up, throw them on their back and bite them.

It never, and I never, would hurt them, only speak to them in their language to let them know that their behavior was not acceptable.

I had to do something similiar to a golden retriever we had, when my adrenaline kicked in, he found himself on the floor and thought all hell broke loose. I had established my alpha status with the rottie as a pup and he never challenged me but once and that was when he was young and throwing a tantrum about an earned time out. He thought all hell broke loose. This one has just got me so puzzled, because most of the techniques we have used in the past with others are just not working with him and he is starting to freak me out a little. He has always been a little testy, but because they are so smart I brushed it off as cleverness and their great sense of humor they have. Not one of my dogs ever has tried to bite us! I guess I know the answer deep down in my heart, and that is to get him snipped and try to work on behavior therapy after that. Have been researching all night and all temperment standards for OES are non agressive always. A Vet site did state that neutering will help some, but, never fully when they do become aggressive. Also found out that some problems are just neurotic. The idea of scaring the alpha dominance back out of him is good and will more and likely help with his assertiveness with us but it won't help with the little maltese will it? Thanks so far with all advice!

 

[PrepH4U]

And to the non powered gray karma, yes I will contact my vet, I didn't plan on handling all of this on my own. My knives aren't sharp enough duh!
It's nice to get views from others that may have gone through a similiar situation on what has worked and what has not.

 

[Railroad]

Would you try and wait it out until after the deed or neuter him now?

If he's a Democrat, DO IT NOW!

(Sorry, couldn't resist)

 

[PrepH4U]

Ok an update - I emailed my female's OES breeder, who has bred many successful show winners of OES and is a breeder of show quality maltese also. So I am going to take her advice and get Bosley neutered as soon as possible.
The only reason I am posting my email and her response is to help others if they need an answer to questions similiar to mine.
The breeder Suzy who she mentioned is the breeder that I contacted for a female originally and she put me in touch with my females breeder. It's nice to see that with all the negative we hear about breeders that don't care, that there are still some that are dedicated to the breed and want their offspring to stay within the breed standards and not make a quick buck. Thanks for all the advice so far, it has helped me sort through my confusion.

Shaunda,

Hi I hope this finds you all well and you are having a good new year. I need advice badly. Brie is very close to being in-season, (she is still a sweetheart by the way). Well my problem is Bosley, his hormones have kicked in big time. He has started trying to attack the little maltese, at first it was like a boo, scared ya, now its hey I wanna rip out your throat. (We have started separating them). When this has happened we send Bos to his crate for a timeout. But, he has now started challenging our alpha dominance. My question is did your male ever become aggressive before your girl went inheat? If so, how did you handle it? I know it’s almost show- time for them to do the deed, but I would estimate another couple of weeks. I am to the point of sending him away for the neutering if in your opinion that would help. Puppies or no puppies I would rather keep a peaceful home than have bosley turn mean because of his hormones. I will be talking to the vet after this weekend but wanted to get feedback from as many sources as I can. Bosley’s breeder is no longer in existence! Hmmm wonder why? I have been researching as much as I can and all OES sites I have found do not cover this subject, but, do say their temperament should never be aggressive to humans or other animals.

Any suggestions would be very appreciated. Thanks so much!

Hi Deb,

Things are going well. It is good to hear from you. I am sorry to hear about Bosley acting up. Yes, this is very common. My friend Suzy had to have her male Sheepdog neutered because of this. This is common with males. I have to tell you breeding is not what you think. There is a lot of pain and heartache that goes along with it. Once the male breeds it even becomes worse than it was before. Luckily Mr. Higgins has not been too bad, but if he was acting like Bosley I would definitely neuter him. If he keeps it up after that then you may have to place him with a one dog family. I know you hate to hear that, but you do not want him to hurt your family or friends. Aggression with dogs is very serious. One of my handlers is a behavior specialist and she once was trying to train a dog with aggression problems and it bit her in the face. She ended up having to have several stitches in her face. Just be very careful. If he is challenging you, then this is very serious. I will also tell you that depending on how he was raised and what was in his lines could possibly the reason for his aggression problems. We have a breeder here in Texas who has big time aggression problems in her lines. Some of her dogs have ended up in rescue and one seriously bit one of the volunteers so badly that it put her in the hospital. This lady still continues to breed. A lot goes into how they were socialized as puppies. If they were very socialized with people and other dogs then you usually do not have these kinds of problems. That is why we really do socialize our puppies. It is probably the key most important thing to do along with not allowing them to leave their mother too soon. I hope this helps, and please let me know how it ends up.

Good luck,

Shaunda

 

[Hello6]

My advice would've been to spay/neuter immediately. But that's been covered so.....
When you show sympathy to the little one for getting his azz kicked, it reinforces the negative behavior displayed by all. Sometimes negative attention=any attention to a dog. You're supposed to respect the alpha dog's position, but still be King of the pack and not allow the situation to escalate. Be sure to always give the treats first to the King, feed the King first and make them secure in their position. I would keep them separate until after tests and surgery.

What did I do in this situation? My little Wartzburg got attacked just for walking in front of a giant rescued dog in my home. He just hated Izzy. I had to take the giant dog back to the pound, knowing he'd be killed. Sucked.

Also, I've read that Lyme disease can cause a normal dog to freak out, so get some blood tests done, just to be sure.

I've had a few scuffles in my house, but it's only been between my female dachshund coonhound mix and Otto, and it usually involves pizza or startling her when she's sleeping. She had Lyme disease too so there may be a connection.

Good luck, and good job on getting advice from the breeder. I still stand by my siggy, though.

 

[bernsm]

Great advice from your breeder. I have dealt with aggression with an alpha male in the past. I first started using the usual scolding, threatening etc.. When that didn't work, I tried pinning him. BIG MISTAKE. He came back at me with a major snarl and total body thrust. I sat back and thought, "that's not right". I immediately contacted an obedience trainer that I used in the past. She said that by pinning him, or for that matter, using any kind of force on a dog only puts him in a position of being threatened. With most dogs, they'll just cower but with an alpha dog, by nature they will strike back.

What she suggested I do instead was put him through a short string of commands several times a day to re-establish who was boss. You know, the basic sit, lie down, stay routine and keeping him in stay position for a minute or so, gradually increasing the time (and your dominance). It worked. As she explained to me, you want your dog to respect you not fear you.

Good luck.

 

[PrepH4U]

Great advice from your breeder. I have dealt with aggression with an alpha male in the past. I first started using the usual scolding, threatening etc.. When that didn't work, I tried pinning him. BIG MISTAKE. He came back at me with a major snarl and total body thrust. I sat back and thought, "that's not right". I immediately contacted an obedience trainer that I used in the past. She said that by pinning him, or for that matter, using any kind of force on a dog only puts him in a position of being threatened. With most dogs, they'll just cower but with an alpha dog, by nature they will strike back.

What she suggested I do instead was put him through a short string of commands several times a day to re-establish who was boss. You know, the basic sit, lie down, stay routine and keeping him in stay position for a minute or so, gradually increasing the time (and your dominance). It worked. As she explained to me, you want your dog to respect you not fear you.

Good luck.

See I know in some dogs that pinning them or totally making them believe you are going to kill them by yelling will work. I am glad you gave me that input, because I am sensing with him he would definately try and meet my challenge. As he has body lunged at me just for picking up a magazine to threaten him with when he was being aggressive. I know this sounds weird but, it seems that I can usually read his eyes/mind.
Since I have started this thread and researched, I decided to try and use baby steps with him. I have been asking for commands during the day and night that he has been complying with and heaping on more praise than I feel neccessary. In my thinking trying to overcome his negative behavior with good behavior which he is then rewarded for. I have repeatedly asked him today to enter the crate today with a very nice and quiet voice, (this too had escalated) he complied with no grumbeling on his part. Which after a couple of minutes, he was let out and praised. The basic commands have been getting a work out also so I can find things to praise him about. We had a game of hide n seek, which he used to love; but when the female heard him barking at me, she came to my unneeded rescue tearing into him.
She has gotten very protective of me with him. So she senses something also. The other night she actually backed him into his crate, when he was having one of his spells.
I want to thank you all for all your advice, I hope after the neutering and hormone therapy I will eventually get my big ole butterball I don't give a dam Bos back. I hope my selfishness to have a puppy from him has not ruined his personality.

 

[PrepH4U]

Good luck Prep...I realize this boy probably weighs as much or more then you

Not yet, he is around 110! So is actually smaller than my rottie was by 30 pounds! So I am getting used to smaller dogs little by little!

 

[PrepH4U]

update: the vet prescribed a hormone/testerone blocker, this will help to by starting to take the edge off his hormone production and Bos is scheduled for the snip snip next Thursday a.m. Thanks again all for advice, I knew in my mind that's what needed to be done, but my heart was hoping there was a chance for a puppy. Cuz, I know no way in hell will hubby allow a brand new one in here with 4 already in house, he agreed to help with the litter so to me that meant I could keep one or two more!