Chris wanted to know how to stop aggression toward other dogs: ”I have a 3 1/2 year-old Chihuahua. He grew up with our other dogs: two Rottweilers and a Shar pei with no problems but he shows aggression toward other dogs. If we are out and about– if he sees another dog– no matter how big it is– he goes crazy and wants to attack it. I can’t get him to be friendly to any other dogs. Will This Little Dog’s Aggression Toward Other Dogs Get Him In Trouble With The Big Dogs? I am afraid one of Read more [...]
Dog On Dog Aggression As A Professional Dog Trainer
January 11, 2013 by
I am constantly asked by people in the dog world about my methods on dealing with dog on dog aggression. I guess because I have had really good success with dogs that others have deemed unfixable, I have been labeled as an aggressive dog specialist. I never set out to specialize in any one area of dog training but I guess I’ll take it as a compliment. So now, the majority of calls that I get for training is usually some type of dog on dog aggression. I get calls literally from all over the world Read more [...]
Interdog Aggression: Why Dogs Fight With Other Dogs
November 29, 2012 by
Anyone who has ever witnessed the horrifying experience of interdog aggression and seeing their dog attacking another dog knows all too well the terror of the moment. Interdog aggression is displayed towards other dogs and not toward people. Even though the dog displaying interdog aggression may be acting out of a sense of territorial protection, the owners of the “offender” are plagued with many conflicting emotions as a result of their dog’s “crime.” On one hand you, the dog owner, feel Read more [...]
Her Dogs Previously Got Along… Now They Show Dog Aggression. Here’s What To Do
November 29, 2012 by
Skipdogwalker wrote to me about how to handle dog aggression: Hi: I have 3 dogs (Kona, male pit mix 3 yrs old) (Sur, male pit mix 18 months old) (Sierra, female boxer 7 yrs old) all spayed and neutered. Kona was the first dog… we have had him since he was about 6 months old. Sierra came next and has been with us for over a year and gets along with everyone. Sur came last has been with us about 6 months, he had a severe case of mange when we got him but it is now cleared up. Dog Aggression Read more [...]
She’s Dog Aggressive, Are You Sure You Want Her?
August 29, 2012 by
What if the dog you’re considering might be dog aggressive? That didn’t stop dog trainer Lynn Stockwell from adopting Clara– who turned out to be a wonderful companion. Lynn explains: It’s been made painfully aware to me that I haven’t updated people here as to my recent acquisitions (well, there’s one important item, the rest are just details) and activities. There pictures in here, most of which I’ve tried to resize so as to be more user-friendly to slower internet connections, Read more [...]
Misunderstandings About Dominance In Dogs
June 18, 2012 by
Adam goes on a rant about common misunderstandings about dominance in dogs and how some prominent dog trainers are espousing views on dominant dog training without having a deep enough understanding about the nature of relationship-based training as it relates to dominance. From the lecture: Dominance In Dogs Today we’re going to be talking about dominant dogs. Specifically, we were listening to a lecture given by a fairly prominent dog trainer in the sport dog community, who, I have a lot Read more [...]
Correcting Dog Aggression
June 18, 2012 by
Professional Dog Trainer Adam G. Katz takes you behind the scenes of a client session– with a little terrier that is EXTREMELY DOG AGGRESSIVE. I personally would have used the remote collar if this was my dog, as the correction is less “personal” — but a lot of dog owners are still uncomfortable with that approach.
See Dominant Little Dog Correct Other Dog For Unwanted Behavior
June 18, 2012 by
In this video, “Shorty” is giving the Golden Retriever a “correction” for getting too close to his bone. You’ll notice that the correction was quick and to-the-point. It’s not personal. It’s just enough to get his point across. Look at the expression on the Golden Retriever — he’s not sulking. His feelings aren’t hurt. It’s just a form of communication. In the future, Shorty will be able to accomplish the same, with nothing more than a firm “look” or a glance. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciIRZHX55e8 Read more [...]
Stop Dog Aggression
June 18, 2012 by
Adam G. Katz shows how to stop fear-based dog aggression when leash corrections and cookie bribery doesn’t work.
Dog Aggression or Dominance Scuffle? Can You Tell?
June 18, 2012 by
Dog Aggression or dominance scuffle? Can you tell the difference? Many dog owners on our dog training forum have asked: “How can you tell the difference?” This is the first in a series that will show you how to tell.
Interdog Aggression
June 18, 2012 by
In this video, Adam talks about interdog aggression and it’s warning signs.
Aggressive Dog Behavior
June 18, 2012 by
Put an end to your Dog’s Aggressive Behavior with tips for working with an aggressive dog.
Aggressive Dog Behavior Stopped Overnight With Correct Prong Collar Fitting
April 13, 2012 by
Cousin Mike called for some help because– despite already using the prong collar– his new Labrador-mix “Abby” was still ignoring him and showing aggressive dog behavior. After talking with Cousin Mike for 20 minutes or so, he sent me this email the next morning. It’s a good example of how the right knowledge combined with the right tools can produce fantastic results: “Hi, Adam: I just wanted to let you know that taking a link out of her prong collar seems to be doing the trick. While she Read more [...]
My Dog Bites Me
April 12, 2012 by
I went for a walk in downtown San Rafael a couple of weeks ago and saw a man walking a Siberian Husky. When his dog saw us, he started flailing around at the end of the leash and barking, hysterically. I asked this man why he put up with such behavior from his dog? After all: He feeds the dog, he gives the dog free room and board. He even lets this dog defecate on his lawn. So, why put up with this behavior? “My dog bites me,” was his reply. To which I answered, “Well… what happens Read more [...]
How To Discipline An Aggressive Puppy
November 30, 2011 by
Jenna wrote to us about how to discipline her aggressive puppy: From An Aggressive Puppy To An Aggressive Dog? “I’m very worried – my 9 1/2 week old shepherd/pitbull/lab mix puppy has been showing signs of aggression towards me, and I’m worried he’s going to turn from an aggressive puppy into an aggressive dog. He attacked my hand when I went to remove his leash after a walk around the park. I tried to grab him and say “no”. When he bites hard I grab his mouth and clamp down and say no until he Read more [...]
Stop Dog Aggression When People Pass By
September 11, 2011 by
Corie writes to me about territorial dog aggression: Our rescue husky/heeler cross dog is 1.5 years old. I’ve made a lot of progress with him with your suggestion of the pinch collar and leash and boundary training. He is a nervous dog that is really afraid of everything and when people come up to him his fur goes us and he is on edge. He will not bite, he just backs away. I give people treats to give him and that helps. But when people walk by our yard and I don’t have him in a stay position Read more [...]
Rescued Miniature Poodle with Dog Aggressive Behavior
September 11, 2011 by
Martiwise writes to me about her dog’s aggressive behavior: Hello…. We “adopted” an 8 year old minature poodle at Thanksgiving….. from a home in which he was neglected (therefore abused to me). The house contained 30 dogs and 1,000 rats when it was highlighted on TV new program. He was the oldest dog and the stud dog, father to a lot of the other dogs in the house. He wsas never outside…. never groomed…. food was “dropped off” at the house… He was the last to be removed from Read more [...]
Dealing With Dog Biting and Aggression
September 11, 2011 by
Vellsworth writes to me about dog biting and aggression: There is no consistent ‘mitigating pattern’ to his dog aggression – first time he jumped up and drew a drop of blood from a man’s inner thigh, a man with a leg prosthesis (other dogs also went for this ‘wounded animal’ – Skippy was immediately leashed and made to walk around the park with the man for about 20 minutes – never another problem). 2 other times, men were walking away from him (trying to get their attention seems a bit out of Read more [...]
Dog Growling While Being Fed
September 6, 2011 by
Nikki writes to me about her dog’s growling: “Dear Trainer, I have a 4 mth. old Rott. and Lab mix male, more Rott. then Lab. I am the main care giver and trainer. I am a small women. We do very well together except in one very important aspect. When I feed him and pet him at the same time he growls at me. I have fed him entire meals out of my hand for a few feedings that went ok. But this dog aggression behavior continues with the bowl. I spit in is bowl as instructed I have his pinch collar on Read more [...]
2.5 Year-old Golden Retriever Poodle-mix Exhibiting Guarding, Dominance or Fear Behavior?
August 18, 2011 by
Leslie asks: I have a 2.5 yr old neutered male golden doodle that follows me like there is no tomorrow. He sleeps in my bedroom on the floor by my bed or in the bathroom. The dog will give a low throated steady growl if someone comes in through the closed bedroom door, and may get up to go towards the door. This stops when the familiar faces of family enter. He also showed dog aggression toward the UPS man while the dog and I were in the garage and the man came in to deliver a package. The dog Read more [...]
New Dog In The House Is Aggressive
July 4, 2011 by
Mr. Katz: I have a 8 month old Great Dane female, Dulcinea. I have used several of your techniques on training her and have been successful. My husband and I work during the day and she is alone in the back yard. I do take her for a walk several times a week and we play ball. Occasionally we go to my in-laws to visit. They have two untrained dogs. A Toy Poodle male, 11 years old named Teddy. Also a Lab/Pit Bull mix female, 9 years old named Sammy. Dulcinea is just thrilled to go there to see Read more [...]
Her Dog Sleeps On Her Bed And Growls At Her: Is This A Problem
July 4, 2011 by
Hi Adam! I have a two-year old Siberian Husky. I have had him since he was a puppy, and will be the first to admit I have been a LAZY dog owner. I would like to remedy that and was wondering if it will be too much of a problem if I start using a whistle with training him. I am an elephant keeper at the Kansas City Zoo and am getting more and more training experience and would like to start implementing that in my relationship with my dog. He knows a few basic commands, like sit and shake. I Read more [...]
More Thoughts On Dominance Scuffles
July 4, 2011 by
An individual sent me an e-mail last week that was titled, “Dominance Scuffles.” And although I’ve already covered this subject fairly extensively as an aspect of dog aggression, I thought it was a good idea to explain it to this fellow through another metaphor. [In response to a prior e-mail:] “Thank’s Adam. I think I found the answer. ‘We determine who will be the alpha dog.’ Correct? ” My reply: “No, no no! You cannot do this! It’s impossible!!! The dogs’ temperaments are inherent. Only Read more [...]
Living With A Dog That Kills Cats
July 4, 2011 by
“Dear Adam: I have a German Shepherd female, age 2yr, 7 mo who attacked my Sheltie and nearly killed her. This concerned a bone. Then one month later, she repeated the dog aggression. We also have a yellow Lab who interacts with the Shepherd with no problems. They play together every day. After the attack on the Sheltie, the Shepherd killed a stray cat and has grabbed and bitten another cat. We live on a 16 acre farm and have 10 cats, all well cared for, current on shots and all fixed. They Read more [...]
On Not Being Intimidated By An Aggressive Irish Setter
July 4, 2011 by
Dear Adam: I have a six month old Irish Setter named Indy. She is very smart and seems to be a quick learner except in one area. I have read through your book and your dog problems advice column but have not found a suitable solution to my dog aggression problem and was wondering if you could offer some useful advice. Whenever Indy is out of her crate, she will snatch any item that is not hers, most often from the countertops but lately includes book bags, clothes etc. When we try to remove Read more [...]
